On Friday, June 14th, Steve Langerud, Executive Director of The Mayflower Community (Grinnell IA), attended the Joint Annual Meeting of the Iowa/Nebraska/South Dakota Conference of the United Church of Christ. The session held in Omaha, Nebraska included other Grinnellians.
The Mayflower Community, a 285-resident senior living and healthcare organization, was established in 1950 with the support of the United Church of Christ (then the Congregational Church). The founder, retired Conference Minister, Royal Montgomery, worked his way around the state of Iowa seeking financial assistance for an “endowed boarding home” for retiring pastors. Royal’s dream was that these pastors, who had given their lives in service to others, would be able to afford a place to live in retirement. In the late ‘40’s and into the ‘50’s, Congregational pastors had limited pension programs and lived in parsonages, which had to be vacated upon retirement.
Former Mayflower Trustee and retired Grinnell College President, George Drake, recalls this situation well as his grandfather retired from Congregational pastoring during that period. George’s grandparents found it financially necessary to move in with George’s parents. George recalls that his grandfather was frustrated by that necessity, even though George found it a wonderful opportunity to get to know his grandparents and pick their brains.
To this day, The Mayflower Community remains a “ministry” of the United Church of Christ. However, over time, as Mayflower became financially solvent, all money ties between Mayflower and the UCC have ended. As of now, we are “good friends” and share ministry opportunities where possible. The Mayflower is ecumenical in its ministry, welcoming new residents without regard for their denominational or spiritual ties.
Pictured above at the Conference are (front row, left to right) Dorothy and John Noer, Mayflower residents; Jim Judkins, LISW, mental health counselor from Ames IA, formerly of Grinnell; and John Saxton, former Mayflower chaplain, Grinnell; (back row, left to right) Steve Langerud; and Chris Burtnett, pastor of the 1st Congregational United Church of Christ, Algona and former Mayflower Trustee.
Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director