CA2470Proctor Covenant

Even as awareness and utilization of hospice services grows, a disproportionate number
of ethnic populations are not receiving appropriate end-of-life care.
WE ARE WORKING TO
CHANGE THAT.
Local churches can be a vital voice in advocating for the rights and choices of the terminally ill.
“It is imperative that our religious leaders embrace the moral obligation
to minister to the total person.That is why I am excited about partnering to
ensure that our community receives quality end-of-life care.”
—Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Founder, Rainbow/PUSH
END-OF-LIFE RESOURCES:
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc.
www.sdpconference.info
www.rainbowpush.org
www.VITAS.com
Referrals: 1-800-93-VITAS
www.iceol.duke.edu
Philip Coleman VITAS Director of Hospice Education for Rainbow/PUSH
(773) 256-2744
[email protected]
Philip is responsible for leading VITAS’ effort to increase access to hospice care
for diverse patients and families and introducing VITAS’ Hospice Ministry Program
and spiritual care volunteer initiative to church congregations across the country.
When someone becomes seriously ill, it can be difficult to know what type of care is best …
or where to turn for help.
VITAS
CAN HELP.
VH-CB002
A Covenant of Care:
The Black Church and Care at the End of Life
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life…
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans, 8:38-39
Whereas:
We are the image of God and every life has infinite worth.
Whereas:
Each life has purpose and meaning.
Whereas:
Care at the end of life recognizes the continuing personhood of those who are in transition despite the
sorrow that the end of life can bring, we hold fast to the assurance of the joy of Jesus.
And, whereas:
Persons of African descent have higher death rates and shorter life expectancies than other ethnic groups.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses…
—Heb., 12:1a
Be it therefore resolved, that I_______________________________ (Pastor’s Name) and the congregation
of ______________________________ (Church Name), covenant with one another to support and honor
our dying by:
• Recognizing our mortality and practicing ministries of presence and action that overcome the
alienation of death that threatens to separate us from body, community and God.
• Advocating for justice and access in healthcare and delivery.
• Modeling the compassionate and caring spirit of Jesus Christ.
• Challenging our faith communities to foster greater awareness around death and dying, and
quality end-of-life care, such as hospice and palliative care, to address the continuing disparities
of healthcare outcomes for African Americans that have a negative impact on the well-being of
our communities.
Signed the __________ day of ____________________ in the _________________ Year of Our Lord.
_____________________________________________
(Signature of Pastor)
Even as awareness and utilization of hospice services grows, a disproportionate number
of ethnic populations are not receiving appropriate end-of-life care.
WE ARE WORKING TO
CHANGE THAT.
Local churches can be a vital voice in advocating for the rights and choices of the terminally ill.
“It is imperative that our religious leaders embrace the moral obligation
to minister to the total person.That is why I am excited about partnering to
ensure that our community receives quality end-of-life care.”
—Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
Founder, Rainbow/PUSH
END-OF-LIFE RESOURCES:
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc.
www.sdpconference.info
www.rainbowpush.org
www.VITAS.com
Referrals: 1-800-93-VITAS
www.iceol.duke.edu
Philip Coleman VITAS Director of Hospice Education for Rainbow/PUSH
(773) 256-2744
[email protected]
Philip is responsible for leading VITAS’ effort to increase access to hospice care
for diverse patients and families and introducing VITAS’ Hospice Ministry Program
and spiritual care volunteer initiative to church congregations across the country.
When someone becomes seriously ill, it can be difficult to know what type of care is best …
or where to turn for help.
VITAS
CAN HELP.
VH-CB003