Association of Brethren Caregivers posts end-of-life resources.

The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has posted several end-of-life resources from the Church of the Brethren on its website, prompted by the widespread media coverage of the deaths of Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II. The two deaths have spurred many in the church to think about end-of-life issues, ABC said in a statement. ABC provides publications and educational and faith opportunities that encourage the church to do caring ministries as the work of Jesus Christ.

"Within a week's time, the nation and members of the Church of the Brethren have witnessed two very different experiences of death with the passing of Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II," ABC said. Pope John Paul II's death came after a long life of service as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and years of deteriorating health. Schiavo, a Florida woman who had been declared in a "vegetative state," died after her feeding tube was removed by court order, and after years of legal battles between her husband and parents regarding her condition and care.

"These two different experiences of death have caused many people to begin discussing the theological and practical aspects of their own end of life," ABC said. "Equally important, Schiavo and Pope John Paul II's deaths have spurred families and friends to begin talking with one another about their wishes and plans at their end of life."

End-of-life resources offered at www.brethren.org/abc/ include "Facing the Gray Areas in Dying," a four-page article by Guy Wampler; two articles about preparing for the end of life, from the ABC quarterly magazine "Caregiving"; an end-of-life preparations worksheet; a link to a hospice website providing help in creating advance directives in the different US states; worship resources and related scriptures; a resource list of books for adults and children; and a link to the 1996 Annual Conference End-of-Life Decision-Making Statement. ABC helped to form the statement, which affirms that "we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord" (Romans 14:7-8).

Other end-of-life resources produced by ABC and sold through Brethren Press are five end-of-life study guides written by Grady Snyder, a retired Church of the Brethren seminary professor (to order call 800-441-3712). Articles about end-of-life issues also have appeared in the Winter 2000 issue of "Caregiving," which was devoted to the topic (order from Mary Dulabaum at 800-323-8039 ext. 304).

ABC affirms the Annual Conference statement that "spiritual growth can come from facing suffering and death honestly." The agency hopes that the resources it provides will help individuals consider their own end of life, and that of their loved ones, from a biblical and Brethren understanding.

For more information see www.brethren.org/abc/ or call ABC at 800-323-8039.

Source: Newsline 4/5/2005
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