Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the Lewis County Seniors board voted to revise its policy on prayer and politics and the county's senior centers. While the matter was discussed, there was no vote.
Controversy at the Lewis County Senior Centers in the last week has reached well beyond any game of cutthroat cribbage.
In the six centers — in Morton, Pe Ell, Packwood, Toledo, the Twin Cities and Winlock (Olequa) — senior citizens are welcome to visit for coffee, social hours and meals. The centers also serve as community halls, hosting seminars and town halls after hours.
The centers are run by the Lewis County Seniors nonprofit, which collects money from the Older Americans Act. In the nonprofit’s monthly newsletter, board President Carol Brock announced new rules for attendees: “acceptance, diversity, inclusion, no bullying,” and, most notably, “no prayer, no politics.”
Attendees and onlookers were quick to lambast the new policy in protest, meeting comments, letters and comments to staff, including one instance where a woman at the Twin Cities Senior Center was calling staff members “Jews” because of the new policy, according to Lewis County Seniors Financial and Operations Manager Nicole Barr.
Brock, in a statement sent to The Chronicle on Friday, said the policy was responding to complaints from staff and seniors over attendees leading “audible and clearly denominational prayers from the podium with a microphone prior to our congregate meals.”
In the statement, Brock apologized for not “adequately” explaining the issues faced by Lewis County Seniors in her writing, which she called “an attempt to address a very serious problem we are experiencing.”
Late last week, a document from the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging, governed by commissioners from each of the three counties, called the Senior Center prayer bans “unconstitutional.” The agency was formed after the Older Americans Act in 1973 required similar groups to form across the country. Today, the agency receives both state and federal funds.
The county’s representative on the agency, Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope, last week said programs funded by the Older Americans Act may not use those federal funds to support inherently religious activities. Yet, the act also does not forbid older adults from praying before a meal.
Swope also wrote that political discussions are encouraged by the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging.
Brock serves on the agency’s advisory board, and Swope on Monday morning spoke at length about potential actions to boot her from that volunteer position.
“Ms. Brock has broken the trust of the seniors and the office of aging,” Swope said. “She is appointed to advocate for seniors.”
He said the agency asked for a retraction of the official policy but apparently had not received any official retraction by Monday. He asked the clerk of the Board of County Commissioners to look into the legality of recalling Brock from the advisory board.
In a Thursday night meeting, the Lewis County Seniors board discussed revising its “no prayer” and “no politics” policy after more than a dozen seniors spoke out against it.
Brock, in the statement Friday, recognized that “The Administration on Aging recommends that each nutrition program adopt a policy that ensures that each individual participant has a free choice whether to pray either silently or audibly.”
With this, she wrote, the board will allow a moment of silence prior to congregate meals that attendees may use however they choose.
“The board in no way intends to impose restrictions on our individual client’s rights of free speech,” Brock wrote. “The board is concerned that there are other behaviors that need to be addressed and they will be reviewing our policies for appropriate revision.”
Brock's full statement is below:
I apologize. My recent article in the Senior Dynamics was an attempt to address a very serious problem we are experiencing at a few of our locations. Unfortunately, I was unable to explain the issues involved or the board’s solution to these issues adequately.
On August 9th, 2023, the board reiterated their support for the decision to allow a moment of silence prior to the congregate meal to use as anyone chooses. This decision is in alignment with Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging (LMTAAA) guidance.
We have had seniors leading audible and clearly denominational prayers from the podium with a microphone prior to our congregate meals. As a result, the board received complaints from both seniors and staff. The board’s and my intent were to find a solution that would allow ALL to feel comfortable, respected and included.
As reported by this paper from the LMTAAA and the Older Americans Act, ‘The Administration on Aging recommends that each nutrition program adopt a policy that ensures that each individual participant has a free choice whether to pray either silently or audibly, and that the prayer is not officially sponsored, led or organized by persons administering the Nutrition Program or the meal site.’
Since we receive federal dollars to support our nutrition program, the board’s decision to support a moment of silence during congregate meals is necessary to maintain funding. Many of the folks here in Lewis County rely on these meals. That is our main purpose and our most important focus.
The Lewis County Seniors board decision responds specifically to ‘community devotion’ from a public platform during meals and other center activities where unwilling clients may object. The board in no way intends to impose restrictions on our individual client’s rights of free speech. The board is concerned that there are other behaviors that need to be addressed and they will be reviewing our policies for appropriate revision.
I hope this provides clarity and a basis for further discussion while maintaining the important work of the Lewis County Seniors — providing meals for our seniors in a safe and respectful environment.”
Swope's statement from last week regarding the senior center policy:
As the commissioner representing Lewis County on the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging (LMTAAA) Council of Governments, I want to set the record straight regarding whether religious practices and political discussions are allowed to take place at senior centers funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Prayers at congregate meal sites
The OAA doesn’t prevent seniors from expressing their religious sentiments before meals at funded centers. The Administration on Aging (AoA) encourages nutrition programs to ensure participants can choose to pray, silently or aloud. It’s vital that such prayers aren’t formally led by those overseeing the Nutrition Program or the venue.
Religious activities at Title III-funded sites
Organizations with Title III funding can’t use OAA funds for direct religious activities. If they engage in religious sessions, they should be separate from OAA-funded programs. Participation remains voluntary. This doesn’t mean groups sponsoring the Title III program can’t hold religious activities, just that OAA funds can’t be used for them.
Religious gatherings by senior groups
Seniors can gather for religious activities, following certain guidelines. They should meet away from main areas, avoid pressuring participation, and pay a $1.00 fee per person for space use.
Politics and meaningful discussions
There are no restrictions or policies limiting seniors from discussing politics. In fact, we encourage more in-depth conversations around political topics, not less. The spirit of debate and discussion is fundamental to a vibrant community. Upholding our rights
Our First Amendment rights, ensuring freedom of speech and religion, are paramount. Don’t let these guidelines deter you. Continue attending, praying and engaging in crucial dialogues. If you feel constrained, voice your concerns. With a unified voice, we can make certain our senior centers remain open and understanding. Stay true to your rights. Together, we’ll protect our fundamental freedoms.
