The Shepherd Center of the Greenbrier Valley to host Business After Hours on April 19

“Quality of Life” is  sought after when thinking about retirement and is found through the Shepherd Center of the Greenbrier Valley  programming which provides lifelong learning, community service, caring relationships and spiritual growth.  On April 19^th, the Shepherd Center will host the Greater Greenbrier Chamber Business After Hours at the Wesley Hall of Lewisburg United Methodist Church on Washington Street in Lewisburg and showcase some of their programs impacting the lives of many.

The Center is a Shepherd Center of America affiliate, but may be best known for its community outreach such as “Gwen’s Meals” which provides a hot lunch and a friendly face to over 50 people each week.  The program continues the legacy of Gwen Clingman and served over 2,551 meals in 2011.  However, Executive Director and Parish Nurse Judy Long, Volunteer Coordinator  Judy Spiece, Mike McCoy, Gwen’s Meals Coordinator, their Board of Trustees and many volunteers do much more.  This fall, they expanded their Adventures in Learning  program to serve the entire county with classes offered in Rainelle and Lewisburg.  Courses in exercise, travel, psychology, creative writing, gardening, health, book clubs, crafts, bible study, art and more are offered in the spring and fall.  A goal of the Shepherd’s Center is to encourage independent living and life enrichment.  In May, they will be conducting a seminar, There is a Bridge: Ministering to Those Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, and Other Forms of Dementia.  This will be a Continuing Education Opportunity for Ministers, Nurses, Social Workers and Related Fields.

The Shepherd Center connects those who want to help with those who need help. Trained volunteers provided over 4,100 hours of  friendship and support to homebound residents and provided transportation for doctor’s appointment, shopping, and  more to log in close to 9,000 miles this past year.  Parish Nurse Long also visited residents to give assessment and evaluate the need for other resources and the office is staffed five days a week to provide referrals for assistance.   The Center is located at Lewisburg United Methodist, but is sponsored by twenty four congregations including Calvary United Methodist, Clifton Presbyterian, Edgewood Presbyterian, Emmanuel Methodist , Fairlea AR Presbyterian, First Baptist- Fairlea, First Baptist- Rainelle, First Baptist- Ronceverte, First Presbyterian – WSS, Frankford Presbyterian, Frankford United Methodist, Grace United Methodist, McElhenney Presbyterian, John Wesley Methodist, Lewisburg Church of Christ, Old Stone Presbyterian, Rhema Christian Center, Smoot Baptist, Shuck Memorial Baptist, St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Charles Borromeo, St. James Episcopal and Trinity United Methodist.  For more information about the Shepherd Center of the Greenbrier Valley, please call  304-645-4196.

The Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce offers monthly Business After Hours events to showcase member businesses and non profits, while providing great networking opportunities .  To register for the April 19^th social, please visit the event page on the Chamber’s website or call the Chamber office at 304-645-2818.