Warm greetings and blessings to you in the name of our Risen Savior, Jesus the Christ.

In 2007 and 2009 the General Synod referred two Resolutions entitled The Legalization of Physician Aid In Dying and Physician Aid in Dying respectively, for further study. In response, a task force of diverse members representing health and human service ministries within the United Church of Christ was convened by Justice and Witness Ministries. They are part of a larger national conversation on issues around death and dying.

The subject is not an easy one to engage in a death-denying culture; however, as people of faith we grapple with the issues that surround death and dying to insure that transition to another stage of eternal life is as peaceful as possible for those who are dying and for those who love them.  We know that God is present in both our living and our dying; therefore we are comforted in difficult times. 

The Task Force developed a six-week study guide that is intended to assist churches, associations and conferences.  Faithfully Facing Dying: A Lenten Study Guide on Critical Issues and Decisions for the Members of the United Church of Christ was made available during the Lenten Season of 2010. 

The Task Force now seeks your feedback.  If you participated in discussions using the guide, please take a few moments to complete the online survey. Your insights will be very useful in developing the new UCC resource on death and dying.  Survey Responses due by October 30th.

Our sincere thanks to guide developers: Rev. Dr. Martha R. Jacobs, Board Certified Chaplain and Editor, Rev. John Brooke, Dr. Nance Cunningham, Rev. Gordon Forbes, Ms. Denise Karuth, Rev. Dr. David McCurdy, Board Certified Chaplain, Rev. Norma Mengel, Rev. Larry Schultz, and Convener, Ms. Barbara T. Baylor, Minister for Health Care Justice.

Rev. Linda Jaramillo
Executive Minister
Justice and Witness Ministries