Senior programming to be offered in the South End's Union Church

The Union Combined Parish has partnered with the City of Boston's Age Strong Commission, providing space and hospitality.

The Union Combined Parish has partnered with the City of Boston's Age Strong Commission

BOSTON — The City of Boston's Age Strong Commission will provide senior programming at Union Church at 485 Columbus Ave. in Boston's historic South End. Starting April 8, Union will be a resource and community center for Boston residents age 50 and over every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM through 1:00 PM.

This new Age Strong Commission site will be a welcome and safe space for gathering, learning, and activities, including (but not limited to) music classes, arts and crafts, Latin dance, yoga, tai chi, meditation and mindfulness workshops, and informational workshops.

Long-time Union member and Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus John Jemison said of the partnership, "I think it's a great thing.... It will be a great place for seniors like me to come and relax and connect with peers, and enjoy all the available opportunities."

Radical Hospitality Coordinator Pat Pettiford, who has been part of the Union family for decades, shares this sentiment: "This programming will help get seniors out of the house. A lot of people don't have anywhere to go. We can come to Union during the week to play games and do different stuff."

"We are delighted to support our elders and host Age Strong programming at Union," said the Rev. Jay Williams, Ph.D., Union's Lead Pastor. "Our church is a community center, and we look forward to providing comfortable space for seniors to connect, grow, and just hang out."

Union welcomes persons of all races, gender expressions, sexual identities, and status. Union Church, the headquarters of the Union Combined Parish, is fully accessible for persons of all physical abilities.

Learn more about the City of Boston's Age Strong Commission.