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Goal:
The focus of this effort is to encourage the clergy to hold a special event in which they encourage their congregations to explore spiritual issues near the end of life and honor the important people in their lives who have died.
Suggested timing:
During the Week of 10/22 - it could be either a special event or an emphasis at services to coincide with the release of the "Spirituality and Faith" article. Although the Spirituality-in-Dying Event does not need to be done on the same date in all congregations, the greater the participation on the same day, the more newsworthy the event.
Title:
Finding Our Way: Spiritual Growth Near The End of Life
Key Participants:
Local religious leaders, hospice and community members working with faith congregations
Suggested Action Steps:
Have religious leaders select a date for a Spirituality-in-Dying event or sermon. Offer to help leaders of faith communities organize and promote the event.
Gather information from your hospice and other appropriate community members and provide it to local faith organizations as inserts for bulletins. Offer suggested talking points for an event or sermon. Have
this information available four weeks before the Spirituality-in-Dying Event.
Materials You Need:
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Draft a letter to send to leaders of the faith community and invite them to attend a planning meeting for a Spirituality-in-Dying Event. At this meeting work with them to select the date and time for the event.
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Write an overview of the Spirituality-in-Dying Event and include suggested talking points that can be integrated into a discussion and worship service.
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The Finding Our Way: Spiritual Growth Near The End of Life
article that addresses Spirituality and Faith can be offered to faith communities at any
time.
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Prepare a Conversation Starter (based on the suggestions below) that faith leaders can use or give to their members.
ers.
Conversation Starter Topics:
- What do you want your personal legacy to be?
- If you had one month left to your life, what kinds of things would you do?
- How do you find the spiritual support that you need?
- What was the most spiritual moment in your life?
- Do you have any relationships that need attention, care and/or reconciliation?
- How can you support your loved ones after loss?
- What do you think your loved ones will need to be able to come to terms with your death and their grief?
- What are the three most important contributions you have made to your world?
- How do you find meaning in loss?
- What kind of memories are you making with loved ones?
- How do you react during the holidays to the prior death of loved ones?
- How do you honor a life in death?
- How would you describe a “peaceful” death?
- Do you believe that pain is a natural and acceptable part of dying?
- How can dying be a spiritual act?
- Is your death the end of your spirituality?
Related Media Activities:
Contact the religion writers for your local newspapers as well as hosts of any television or radio talk shows who might be interested in spirituality and let them know that this event is happening. Tell them that it’s in conjunction with Finding Our Way: Living with Dying in America and offer to provide them with the names of the clergy whose congregations are participating.
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