Understanding the Scope of Perspectives for Ministry in MAiD
Using professionally developed video content, Dr. Gloria Woodland will present a basic understanding of End-of-Life Care and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Participants will increase their awareness of patient, family, and healthcare worker perspectives and build skills for coming alongside pastorally. The understanding of Scripture, theology, and denominational positions on MAiD will be considered as one develops a pastoral position for response. Of particular interest to denominational leaders and those who counsel pastoral care-givers will be the lessons on Postvention Care and the information on how to support ministering individuals impacted by a person’s decision for MAiD.
The small group format of eight weeks includes the online videos, a printable learning and resource guide, and a one-time consultation with Dr. Gloria Woodland.
Register below as the point person, and your small group, church, or facility (up to 12 people) will receive access for 13 weeks (one semester) to the online site where all the materials for the eight-week study are housed. Online access will be available from Sep 2, 2024 – Nov 30, 2024 for a one-time fee of $475.
8-Week Overview
It is recommended that you allocate around 90-minutes for each session, but you can schedule your group times however you wish. Each session has a teaching video and discussion questions or activities.
Session 1 – Understanding End-of-Life Care
[50-minutes of video content] Discussion is on the moral difference between end-of-life care decisions and MAiD.
Session 2 – Understanding MAiD
[12-minutes of video content] Discussion is on understanding requirements and process.
Session 3 – Patient and Family Perspectives
[15-minutes of video content] Discussion is on trying to understand why a patient or family would choose MAiD (even if we don’t agree with their decision, we need to understand).
Session 4 – Considering Denominational and Theological Response
[17-minutes of video content] Participants can review the position statement of their facility or perhaps their denomination. They also will discuss their understanding of human dignity and the theological understandings of such.
Session 5 – Journeying with Decision Makers
[21-minutes of video content] The focus is on understanding the decision-making process and on being a faithful witness to those who are trying to decide. Discussion is on how to help those considering MAiD to treasure their lives.
Session 6 – Pastoral Engagement in the Consideration for MAiD
[8-minutes of video content] Discussion focus is on how we journey with those in end-of-life care and those making decisions for MAiD. How does our theological understanding inform our ministry of coming alongside? And how far can we go?
Session 7 – Reframing the Conversation Through Directed Dialogue
[10-minutes of video content] Practical exercises using a model of conversation are used. In a country that is encouraging MAiD, how do we care for individuals and families? Pastoral conversation is practiced.
Session 8 – Postvention Preparation
(Optional session with strong application for those who provide care for pastors and/or health care workers.) [44-minutes of video content] This session focuses on providing pastoral care to health-care professionals or other ministering individuals after they have been involved in any way with MAiD. The material is focused on moral residue and resiliency.
This teaching is offered as Continuing Education through MB Seminary for groups, churches, and facilities.
Gloria Woodland
Director of Chaplaincy Program, Associate Professor of Chaplaincy Studies and Spiritual Care
Gloria has a passion for the ministry of spiritual care. She believes that the ministry of Christian chaplains is to reveal that God is present in the varied circumstances of life, yet even more to share that God is not just present, but that he is active.