The Church Is Welcome at the Bedside
Rethinking Who We Are Called to Serve

I have to be honest, I think in numbers, and I am competitive by nature.

That's why I often compare The Death & Resurrection Doula Training Program to larger, more established programs. And truthfully, they have greater reach, more enrollees, more dollars, and more “prestige.”

These are the world's standards.

In a recent podcast conversation with Tim Lajoie, he reminded me of something I had not fully appreciated: 84% of patients admitted to hospice identify as Christian.

It's time to look at end-of-life doula care through a different lens.

As I’ve studied the landscape of end-of-life doula training programs, I’ve noticed three recurring areas of focus:

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
New Age and alternative spirituality
Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)

These training niches do not fit the spiritual, emotional, and practical needs of the majority of dying people.

Chaplain Tim is telling us we don't have to look very far to find people who need the Church at the bedside. They are already there.

And they need believers to sit beside them.

Tim shares that it is not kind to avoid speaking honestly about death with hospice patients and their families. It is a hard conversation to begin but one that is well worth it. Their faith may be "sleepy" but heaven, Jesus on the cross, resurrection, and eternal life are concepts they have known at some point in their life.

I encourage you to take time this week and listen to the most recent episode of The Death & Resurrection Doula Podcast: The Church at the Bedside.

If the Holy Spirit is nudging you towards Christian care at end of life, simply reply to this email or download our training discernment guide.

The Death & Resurrection Doula Podcast brings together conversations concerning Christian theology, spiritual formation, end-of-life care, and resurrection hope — exploring how the Body of Christ can recover meaningful practices of Christian hospitality.

Listen Now!

Grow in Fellowship

The International Fellowship Café is a worldwide table where Christians gather around the Word of God to discover how the resurrection of Jesus transforms every conversation about life, death, and the hope of a New Heaven and Earth. Join us online through weekly and monthly offerings.

Together, may we live out this call to Christian fellowship: "When I needed hope, someone invited me to the table."

Are you or someone you know caregiving to someone who is aging or dying? We're opening a caregiver café! Check our listings.

Schedule

Professional & Volunteer Training

Training is the heart of our community and increasing the number of Volunteer and Professional Death & Resurrection Doulas is vital if we are to make a difference in the field of end-of-life care.

Professional (Certification)

Join our virtual training event Oct. 9 & 10, plus:

Engage in weekly doula collaboration opportunities + The Death & Resurrection Doula Support Group
Self-paced course work & discussion boards
$1660 | payment plans & scholarships are available

Volunteer (Abridged)

Self-paced course work & Discussion Boards
Receive a letter of ministry recommendation upon completion
$250

Volunteer + live training support

Join our virtual training event Oct. 9 & 10, plus:

Monthly engagement through The Death & Resurrection Doula Support Group (1-year)
$500 | payment plans & scholarships are available

If you would like to learn more without training, purchase a conference ticket and join our virtual training event on Saturday!

Explore Training

See Our Other Resources...

It is important to give -- and receive!! We have several scholarships available for new enrollments in the Professional & Volunteer Training Programs.

If you are interested, please submit our scholarship application.

One of our graduates—who called the program "life-changing"—has pledged to match the first $10,000 donated to the fund, dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of every gift.

To date, our gracious donor has matched $3250! If you feel led to help us build our scholarship fund, see our campaign page.

Spread the Hope

Death in the Body, Life in Christ...

"Care at the end of life is not limited to professional vocations such as physicians, funeral directors, or clergy. Some of the most important physical, emotional, and spiritual end-of-life care is offered through the presence, words, and touch of ordinary believers who bear witness to the hope of the gospel at the threshold of death."

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

"Laurel, your guidebook is so helpful, practical and pastoral. It really is a wonderfully caring resource."

~ Kevin Wirt, Pastor & Chaplain for Medi Home Hospice

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