A packed parking lot indicated something unusual was happening inside Morrison Community Hospital (MCH), 303 N. Jackson Street, Morrison, IL, on Thursday morning, January 29, 2015. It was time for the weekly 10:00 a.m. worship service for residents of Four Seasons Living Center, their families, and the staff. As the cars hinted, however, this religious service would be especially significant.
It was the final Thursday that all 18 residents of Four Seasons would be able to worship together. Seventeen of them did. After 41 years, the unit will close, and residents will find other housing. Many will transfer residence to the newly-expanded Resthave Nursing Home, 408 Maple Avenue, Morrison.
Pastor Gerry Norman, Ebenezer Reformed Church, standing with the microphone, offered the message from John 15:9. While acknowledging this transition is sad, he stated, “We’re going to celebrate all that Four Seasons has been and is.” He began, “It has always been a great environment; a lot of fun. It feels like a church. You have created a community.”
He reminded residents how they were vital members of their churches in the past. “You found others here who were church leaders, brothers and sisters in Christ, coming together to worship. You found you were able here to find yourself in the family of God. We are moving forward. Find that body of Christ wherever you go. Joy is found in the moment of Christ.”
“This chapter comes to an end, and it’s sad. That’s okay. Love each other in these hallways, out of town, or wherever you go. Love the people [who will tend you] and your environment. Go and build the Church….”
Pastors Craig Sipes, Brethren in Christ Church, standing, and Ryan Sutton, Morrison United Methodist Church, seated at right, performed selections on guitar and piano, respectively. Sipes led the singing on both sides of the sermon.
“We decided to do ‘new’ songs today,” he stated, tongue-in-cheek. The audience chuckled at the selections: “Amazing Grace,” “In the Garden,” “The Old Rugged Cross.”
Although people could use song books of 100+ pages, most knew these lyrics by memory. Volunteer Donna Brooks stated, “It’s a favorite,” about the first tune. “It is [resident] Amber [Barsema]’s favorite,” too. Brooks has been a volunteer for eight years. She spoke poignantly about the closeness between the volunteers. “It’s home; it’s what we do. Many of us thought we’d come here.”
Pastor Bob Burton, Bethesda Lutheran, picked up song books at the conclusion of the worship service.
When Pastor Michael Selberg, First Presbyterian Church, reminded his colleagues in the Morrison Ministerial Council to attend today’s event, he told them, “Though we will continue to have Thursday services until Four Seasons completely closes this spring, this will be the farewell and thank you from the area churches. Let’s let the residents and staff know how much we appreciate the relationship we have built with them over the years and for the service they have provided over the years. It certainly will be a loss to our community when Four Seasons closes.”
Representing area churches were Pastor Dick Adams, First Baptist; Father Gary Lawler, St. Anne’s Episcopal; Reverend Don Matthiessen, Our Savior Lutheran.
In addition to family members, several Four Seasons staff members attended this final full service. Some will remain MCH employees; some will retire.
- Martha Smith, LPN has spent two decades at Four Seasons. She “may stay part-time at the hospital” but will “basically retire.”
- Seventeen year employee Scott Akerman, CNA said he “will go upstairs” to the second floor Specialty Clinic.
- Dody Ogburn, Head of the Dietary Department has been here 11 years, and Rowena Webb, CNA has been employed ten.
- Activity Director Barb Rundall has provided enhanced life experiences for residents for a decade. She will spend a couple months at home but is considering private home duty in the future.
- Randy Kramoski, a seven year employee, will remain with MCH.
Compliments of the Dietary Department, cookies and punch followed and lightened the mood.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “Wherever we are, it is but a stage on the way to somewhere else, and whatever we do, however we do it, is is only a preparation to do something else that shall be different.”