Sandy Wisecarver grew up in nursing homes.
She learned how to care for the elderly members of her Louisiana community while watching her mother, who would bring her to the care homes where she worked.
Wisecarver said she found her calling as a pastor at Blaine’s United Church of Christ, where the average attendee’s age is upwards of 75. She also works as a social worker with Northwest Regional Council to connect families to elder-care resources like Medicare and dementia testing.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degrees in education, ministry and social work, Wisecarver returned to school, bringing new tools home with her.
On May 8, Wisecarver graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., with her doctorate of ministry.
For Wisecarver, this September marks nine years with United Church. She said the guiding mission throughout that time has been making everyone feel welcome.
United Church is open to anyone and specializes in creating a supportive space for members of the LGBTQ+ community and post-retirement-age residents.
One of the last projects of Wisecarver’s education focused on the influence of internet church in small, progressive congregations. She interviewed members of her church and found that people appreciated having the option to join from home.
“Some people don’t want to drive to church, or they’re feeling sick,” she said. “They don’t feel like they can come to church, but they can come online.”
During the pandemic, Wisecarver said all members who wanted to attend church via Zoom were able to learn the computer skills needed to do so.
“People will say, we’re gonna catch the young folks online, but I feel like it’s just as important for our elders to have a lot of options,” she said.
United Church continues to offer both online and in-person options for its services and often livestreams them on Facebook as well.
Wisecarver said communities have the most potential when everyone plays a part in finding solutions.
“Your elders have your history, and then your middle-agers have the work ethic and younger people have brand new ideas,” she said.
With her latest and most prestigious degree, Wisecarver looks forward to continuing her dual roles as pastor and social worker to continue caretaking for the community.
Some issues facing the community, such as food access, impact people of all age demographics, and with summer break underway, Wisecarver said, “Kids are out, and they’re hungry.”
She encouraged community members to contribute what they can to United Church’s food pantries located at United Church of Christ in Blaine on 4th and Clark streets; on Runge Avenue in front of Pacific Building Center; near the 7th Street Community Garden, next to the senior center on G Street; and on Peace Portal Drive between Boblett and Cherry streets.
As a mom to four children between the ages of 12 and 21, Wisecarver said it is important to instill the value of older generations in the youth.
“I want my kids to have the same love for elders that I have,” she said.
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