Michelle Raber came to the Rev. Halle Kleaver to ask what she thought about starting a group for the community of seniors: singles, widows, widowers and the divorced or never married.

They both agreed that would be a wonderful idea to start.

The group that attended the seminar consisted of over 40 men and women. The group included people from all over the Lehigh Valley. Raber handed out a questionnaire to each person to find out the group’s interests, things they can do as a group, what time was best to have their meetings.

“The best thing for everyone is to keep moving,” Raber said.

Kleaver started with a prayer and lesson from Luke, Chapter 5. She said: “We are created to be with one another. She hopes for new and exciting ways to make connections for the group. In-person contact and to be heard is essential for everyone.”

The group agreed that discussion on the challenges of when you get older is very important.

Amber Horvath spoke about after care of a loved one.

She meets with people about arrangements for their loved ones for funerals and always wondered if they were OK. She has started making a lot of friends with them and went to visit to have tea.

Horvath listens to them talk about their loved ones and knows how trauma stays in the body after the death of someone.

“People say you need to move on,” she said. “Not true. It’s OK to mourn in different ways.”

Many breathing exercises really helps with connection, family and connectivity, Horvath said.

State Rep. Zachary Mako and Jodi Nestor from Mako’s office presented a program.

Mako spoke about the Pennsylvania Master Plan on Aging, called “Aging Our Way, PA.”

The plan reflects the needs and preferences of this population to live where they choose and access the supports that they need to thrive and age in place.

Resources for older adults include local Area Agencies on Aging, The Senior Law Center, PA MEDI (free service that offers free Medicare counseling), Personal Needs Allowance, and Penncare. Services available if you qualify include reduced auto registrations, energy assistance, expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, PACE and PACENET programs, Social Security COLA, and the Pennsylvania Lottery.

For information, visit www.aging.pa.gov/publications/MasterPlan/Pages/default.aspx