This one-day workshop will be an opportunity to develop understanding and think through a Christian response to issues related to the end of life.
Both science and religion have an impact on how we live, how we die, and how we think about dying. This one-day workshop provides a space for church leaders to think about the realities of ministering to those facing the end of life. Bringing together speakers from medical and pastoral backgrounds, allowing time both for talks and discussions, the event will enable participants to gain greater confidence in their own ministry, as well as challenging them to think about the breadth of their ministry in this area.
Talk 1: Dr Sarah Foot – Dying Well in 2024
The media tells us that in dying, and living, we need autonomy and freedom from suffering. Is that what Christ taught us about dying? Does autonomy bring us freedom from suffering? What role does modern medicine have? Join Sarah as she shares her experience of working in palliative medicine and how we can better prepare ourselves and our communities for dying.
Talk 2: Revd Canon Sharon Connell – A Space for Hospitality: Discovered and created.
In this presentation I will be looking at hospitality and what it means to create and discover places for a pastoral connection. It will be from a Hospice chaplain’s experience whilst at the same time providing some reflections and actions that are transferable to a pastoral encounter.
Programme:
09:30 Welcome & worship
09:50 Talk 1 and Q&A
11:05 Break
11:45 Talk 2 and Q&A
13:00 Lunch
14:00 Interactive discussion on assisted dying
15:15 Concluding plenary with both speakers
16:00 Closing worship & goodbyes
16:15 End
A day course in collaboration with Westminster College.
It will be held both in-person (including hot lunch) at Westminster College, Cambridge and online.
