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 The project will include the addition of new buildings, offering
new services to the community, as well as a remodel of some of the
existing buildings. A new 12-bed residential building is being built
for those who suffer with memory loss at the corner of Sixth and
Main Streets. That work will include closing off Seventh Street at
the east end of the village, erecting a new structure and creating a
cul-de-sac.
The ceremony began at the intersection of Sixth and Main with
Christian Village Administrator Jo Hilliard welcoming all those who
had come for the celebration. She then invited Christian Village
Chaplain Ryan Edgecomb to come forward to offer the opening prayer.
Edgecomb began with Psalms 92. “The righteous shall flourish shall
flourish like a palm tree, shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those
who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the
courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age. They
shall be fresh and flourishing and declare that the Lord is upright,
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Edgecomb said that this verse reminded him that as we grow old, we
are still growing and thriving and sharing our knowledge and
experience with the generations after us. He said this was the goal
of the Christian Village, to see our older generations thrive.
 Edgecomb then offered a prayer of praise to the Lord for the seniors
at the Village and for the Village on the whole.
The Village hosted an essay contest on grandparents in honor of
National Nursing Home Week. The first place winner was Lexie
Phillips. Lexie read her essay aloud to the audience.
Lexie read her essay about her grandparents and their strong
Christian faith. She described how that her grandparents were dear
to her and how that in her young like they had influenced her
through their own Christian values, making her a be person and
leading her in her own Christian faith.
Second and third place winners Sarah Starasta and Logan McDonald,
respectively, were present and acknowledged also.
Dr. Keith Ray, former president of Lincoln Christian University, now
a Christian Home Administrator based in St. Louis, also spoke.
Dr. Ray spoke on the faithful past and thriving future of the
Village. He said that the dirt turning of the day was a message to
Mother Earth to make way for something new.
He said there had been many challenges in bringing the day to
fruition, and also constant prayer for guidance along the way. He
said all those present were friends of the Village who share in the
Village’s aspirations. He said the project was a celebration of the
leaders of the past and the present.
Ray said that in this expansion, the Village was honoring the
leaders and founders of the Village as their efforts were carried on
into the future. He said the future of the Village included the
broad smiles and healthy bodies of the senior population. He said,
“When it is all said and done, we hope for vibrant living. Vibrant
living spaces and social interaction will give rise to a brand new
zest for life.”
He concluded by reciting some words from a favorite song by Casting
Crowns, entitled ‘Thrive,’ “we were made for so much more than
ordinary lives, it's time for us to more than just survive, we were
made to thrive. Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable,
Anything is possible”
Hilliard then introduced Tim Searby. Searby is a former
administrator at the Village. Hilliard said when she began work for
Christian Village, she met and got to know Searby and that he was
the kind of administrator she aspired to be.
Searby brought forward a special song for the day. He said that the
song should be the prayer for everyone on this day. He asked that
everyone bow their heads in prayer as he performed “Great is thy
faithfulness.”
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When executive director for the Logan County Alliance representing the Alliance
and the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce Andi Hake spoke, she noted that
the census confirmed that the population of Lincoln is aging. She said that
services such as those offered by Christian Village were much needed in the
community. She said the community was excited to see a new addition to the
village and she thanked them for their investment in Lincoln and its citizens.
On behalf of the city of Lincoln, Alderman Scott Cooper commended the Village on
its vision for the expansion.
The last speaker of the day was Jeff Hills, Vice President of Development for
the Christian Village. Hills in recognition of the 50th anniversary year of the
original Christian Nursing Home, spoke about the first committee of seven, men
of God, who through their faith and dedication had founded the first
organization. He noted that with only about $10.00 in their budget, they had
decided to move forward with creating a nursing facility with God as its
foundation.
The project now at hand, Hills said, was going to cost $6 million, and the
Christian Village will have to raise that money. There is currently a
fundraising effort going on, and the Village has been blessed with approximately
$500,000 thus far.
Hills noted the great appreciation the Village has for a gift given by the Woods
Foundation of Lincoln. The Foundation has contributed $400,000 to be earmarked
for the building of the Memory Care Villa.
As the array of speakers came to an end, Hilliard invited everyone to
participate in the symbolic turning of the soil. Those who were invited to turn
the first soil included Hake and Cooper along with Lincoln city administrator
Clay Johnson, Dr. Ray, Hilliard, and Hills.
The second group to come forward included Ray, Hilliard, Hills, and a large
representation from the Chamber Ambassadors. Group three was then open to
everyone in the audience who wished to participate. Among those were members of
the Christian Village staff. It should be noted that in celebration of Nursing
Home Week, it was “Western Day” at the village. Many members of the staff
dressed in their interpretation of western attire. Some of those in the third
round were happy to show off their western themed outfits.
Before the groundbreaking, Hilliard shared that there had been a pie baking
contest held at 1 p.m. It had been her intention to announce the winners at the
groundbreaking. However, with 13 entries, the seven member judge’s panel had
only made it to pie number ten before the groundbreaking began. She said that
the judges would soon return to their judging and that winners would be
announced at a later time.
In addition, freshly baked pies were made by Susan Shaw of Sweet Betty Jane’s
Catering. All guests were invited to visit the dining areas of the Nursing
facility or the congregate living facility to enjoy a slice.
[Nila Smith] |
