Christ is the Cornerstone,
and in Him, we are joined together
for compassionate, faithful end-of-life care.
~ Kathleen Garces-Foley
In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, burial societies were organized to ensure a proper burial for its deceased members and for the social importance of belonging to a group. In a letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul urges them: concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
The Thessalonians’ conversion to Christianity involved a new way of understanding death. Concerned with the community status of those who had already died, the Thessalonians questioned the participation and relationship between the living and dead Christians in the event of Christ’s return. Paul answers the Thessalonians by assuring them the dead will have priority over the living at the parousia:
“ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ
will rise first” (v. 16).
When we look to Scripture, we read that Christ will return among the living people of that generation. At some point in the future, there will be people who do not die before Christ returns. Until that time, the living will be tending to the dying. Paul’s eschatology puts a priority on the dead, and this expectation should govern our work in caring for the dying. Reviving this expectation in our communities is paramount.
Death & Resurrection Doulas form the core of our caregiving community with personal services of compassionate and Spirit-filled care. This unique program empowers doulas with the skills and confidence to provide holistic support to individuals and families during life's most profound transition.
Doulas create support groups
for care providing a hub for:
Groups provide a space for Christians to strengthen their communities:
Internet technology maximizes the potential for a world-wide Christian movement to change how we care for dying people. Communities working together is the remedy for recovering the personal services we long for. This is especially important around the end-of-life experience.
With creative, collaborative training opportunities and technological components for ministry growth, the Convene Communities platform maximizes our reach of impactful service through real people.
Convene Communities is a hub where Real Life, Real People, and Real Experiences converge in an atmosphere of shared purpose and support surpassing traditional social networks. At the heart of Convene Communities is a commitment to authentic community building.
~ 1 Peter 2:5
Become a part of a strong Christ-centered end-of-life care community. Find your place in the Death & Resurrection Doula Training Program, the International Fellowship Café, or our wider cornerstone community.
Stay up to date with training and fellowship opportunities!