Live Update to Residents-July 28, 2020
Today we celebrate Westminster Canterbury Richmond’s 45th Anniversary! Live updates to residents on our in-house TV970 keep us informed and connected on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. Today’s update featured John Burns, President and CEO; Gayle Jennings, The Gables; Verline Carter-Banks, Dining; Miles Young, Pastry Cook; and Lynn McClintock, Director Pastoral Care.
The following updates were shared during the live briefing on TV970.
John Burns
Point Prevalence Survey Results
On July 20 and 21, Westminster Canterbury partnered with Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the National Guard to conduct a Point Prevalence Survey (PPS), testing all residents and staff within two days.
• 728 residents and 595 employees were tested, totaling 1,323 tests.
• 1,313 were negative.
• Six tests were voided and retested on Friday. All six were negative.
• Two Parsons Health Center residents who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 came back positive as part of the PPS.
• Two employees tested positive and are at home in quarantine.
These results are possible thanks to everyone taking personal responsibility. Wearing masks, frequently washing or sanitizing hands and maintaining social distancing are key to controlling the spread.
Residents have asked whether face shields are a substitute for a mask or cloth face covering. While face shields provide eye protection, they do not provide the same protection as a mask. Masks will continue to be required for everyone in public spaces on campus.
Outbreak Plan
On Friday, we enacted our Outbreak plan and moved four COVID-19 positive residents to the Third Floor of Pavilion. A dedicated staff team is working only with those residents. One of the four has already tested negative once. Once they receive a second negative result, they will be able to return home. Another of the four has tested negative twice and returned home earlier today. All four have shown improvement.
Next Steps
We will share more information on our Next Steps at the next two briefings.
Anniversary
Our anniversary theme is “45 and Shining Bright!” Every single one of you – staff, residents, and family members – have shone brightly and stayed strong during these unprecedented times. Residents have enjoyed special Anniversary menus created by our Dining team, and happy, yellow treats in the goody bags that were delivered to their doors. Staff are wearing special anniversary t-shirts and masks. The campus has been decorated with hundreds of smiley face balloons and large “Happy Anniversary” signs for all to enjoy.
This year many of the usual in-person events and entertainment were replaced with programming on TV970. Thank you to longtime former employee and resident, Pat Kawana, for sharing her knowledge of our history with The Good Ole Days program on TV970. Thank you to the Anniversary Committee made up of our Recreation, Wellness, Cultural Arts and Volunteer teams, for planning this special day.
A Few Fun Facts
• 23 employees have worked here for 30 years or more
• 7 of those have been here 40 years or more
• 19 residents have lived here 20 years or more
Two employees who have been with us since the first year we opened shared their favorite memories of their time at Westminster Canterbury. Gayle Jennings, from The Gables, joined us on July 14, 1975. Verline Carter-Banks, from Dining, joined us on January 20, 1976.
Miles Young, Pastry Cook and employee for 34 years, revealed our special 45th Anniversary cake.
Lynn McClintock
The worship service this Thursday, July 30, at 10:30 a.m., on TV970, will include Rev. Jenny te Velde preaching, Rev. Deacon David Curtis leading worship and resident Annette Sparks playing the piano.
Please tune in for Evening Prayer, Monday through Saturday, at 4:45 p.m., on TV970, led by residents Mary Chester Griffith and Miffy Hall.
The Memorial Garden was moved last week to its new location next to the new Cary Montague Chapel in the nearly complete Spiritual Center. In the coming weeks, there will be opportunities to visit the new Spiritual Center, so please watch for additional details.
Luke 6:48
“That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.”
Prayer
O God, who gave us birth,
You are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray.
You know our needs before we ask,
And you are steadfast and true as we turn to you.
We give you thanks for 45 years of vibrant life at Westminster Canterbury. We celebrate the years of dear residents, staff, and volunteers, who, through their dedication and vision, have made this place what it is today. We thank you that children of some of the early residents now live here, making Westminster Canterbury an integral part of their families’ lives now for at least two generations.
We thank you, that because of our strong roots of faith, the dedication and commitment of our leadership, and the abiding spirit of our residents, we are weathering this storm. We celebrate the very encouraging results from the coronavirus tests and we thank you that you have provided strong leadership that has kept us in good stead in the midst of this rampant and dangerous virus. We know that being free of the virus does not guarantee that we are free from fear, loneliness and depression. Help those who are struggling emotionally and mentally and physically – to know that your presence never leaves them. Grant them your peace and fill them with a sense of being loved so that they can rest their weary souls in your spirit. Even in our separateness, dear Lord, bind us together even more. Remind us that, even when we have a sense that we are drifting, that you hold us close, and provide a stronghold that will get us through.
Keep our minds focused on our strengths and blessings, keep our hearts open to learning from the myriad of changes that are happening in our world, and remind us always, that you never leave us. You are indeed closer to us than even our breath. May your Spirit infuse us with calm, strength and hope, as we move forward as part of the Westminster Canterbury family. For it is in your name that we pray. Amen.