A special presentation to kick off the new Senior Seasons Academy is set for this Tuesday, Sept. 22, in the Faith Center of St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St.

Aimed at parishioners and community members ages 55 and up, Senior Seasons is a ministry which provides fun and meaningful opportunities to these adults who wish to grow and serve God’s kingdom through personal enrichment, education, healthy living, travel, and community service.

Helping to inaugurate this new ministry is Ralph Ketner, who will serve as speaker for Tuesday morning’s event, which begins at 10 a.m. Ketner, along with the late Wilson Smith and the late Brown Ketner, founded Food Town, which later became Food Lion. You can hear the story of a homegrown grocery business straight from the lion’s mouth. This event is free and the public is invited.

The purpose of Senior Seasons is to help senior adults transition to a meaningful season of learning and service.

The academy serves as the foundation of this ministry. St. John’s members met in the spring in an adult summit to brainstorm ideas for what they wanted in a senior ministry. Carolyn Byrd, St. John’s director of senior adult ministry, used those ideas to form the basis of the academy’s courses. The academy will offer six weeks’ worth of courses each fall, winter and spring.

Courses for the fall include sessions on exploring the local faith community, getting to know community leaders, and planning for the future. Attendees may also sign up for crafts courses, wine tastings and yoga. The fall academy runs each Tuesday, Oct. 6-Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A bonus class, “Stretch, Balance & Breathe,” runs from 3 to 4 p.m.

The price for the fall session is $30. Lunch may be purchased at a nominal price, or you may bring your own.

“Just as the seasons change, so do our lives, with untold opportunities to pursue new interests, broaden our knowledge, travel, and have fun,” Byrd says. “Come and join us!”

For details or to sign up for the academy, contact Carolyn Byrd at carolyn@stjohns-salisbury.org or visit www.tinyurl.com/senior-seasons.