SUPPORTING CONVERSATION SABBATH

The Conversation Project, an Honoring Choices Collaborating Partner, is helping congregations this week to celebrate their readiness to talk about their end of life care wishes. Starting November 6 and continuing through to November 15, dozens of congregations in the Greater Boston area, regardless of religious denomination, are coming together for “Conversation Sabbath”.  Clergy leaders will be teaching or preaching about the importance of having values-based conversations with families, friends and loved ones about their wishes for care at the end of life. “Clergy see too often how avoiding these conversations can leave family members in the dark or cause arguments and strife at the bedside,”  says Rev. Rosemary Lloyd, The Conversation Project’s Advisor to the Faith-Based Community. “Religious leaders have the power of the pulpit to encourage congregants to have ‘the conversation’ sooner rather than later.” Congregants will use the Conversation Starter Kit to start these essential conversations.

As an Honoring Choices Partner, we are honored to support Conversation Sabbath. We are working closely with Rev. Lloyd to make the Honoring Choices  “What’s in Your Health Care Plan?” Tool Kit  directly available to clergy and their congregations. The consumer friendly tool kit has Massachusetts based health care planning information and planning documents to help adults make their own health care plan and connect to person-centered care in their community. Included in the kit is the MA Health Care Proxy Tool Kit, to make your own MA Health Care Proxy, and a Personal Directive, a personal statement for giving your Agent information about what’s important to you and instructions for the care you want and do not want.

Conversation Sabbath has provided some wonderful resources to learn more. You can read more  here; and download a fact sheet here; and watch a video with the Rev. Rosemary Lloyd.  You can also learn more about The Conversation Project here.