MINISTRY TO THE ILL, DYING AND BEREAVED: LAY PASTORAL CARE-GIVING FOR THE HOSPICE SETTING.
Contributors: Drew University.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 163
Subjects: Religion, Clergy.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This pre-pilot project supports the idea that a fifth certification in diaconal ministry at Drew University, Madison, N.J. (dealing with specialized care to the ill, dying and bereaved) is viable. Twelve lay pastoral care volunteers from Hospice of Morris County in Morristown, N.J., were trained to provide such a ministry to patients and families, as requested, on hospice service.

Training took place in a double-tracked format over a four week period during March and April, 1995. A total of fourteen hours of instruction in Judeo-Christian and other religious belief systems; an understanding of the spiritual issues facing hospice patients and families; a working knowledge of family dynamics; and a review of listening skills, bereavement issues and reporting documentation was taught.

All of the instruction was undergirded by a spiritual foundation in meditation, poetry, music and relaxation technique. A six hour retreat was also part of the course, enabling participants to express and understand their own spiritual natures and gifts for this type of ministry. Continuing support/supervision groups have helped participants to learn, share and grow from each other.

Through the use of course evaluations and talking with the participants, ten of the twelve expressed a definite interest in further training at Drew University's diaconal ministry program and would be viable candidates for such a course, if offered. As a result of this project, it would seem that Drew University could become the first seminary in the country to offer certification in ministry to the ill, dying and bereaved.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-12, Section: A, page: 4821.

Thesis (D.MIN.)--DREW UNIVERSITY, 1995.

School code: 0064.