FREE EVENT

This one-day on-line conference has been organised by Christians on Ageing, a voluntary, ecumenical member-based organisation acting as a resource for churches and other bodies and individuals concerned with the spiritual needs of older people.

The conference will begin at 10am and in the morning session we’ll hear from Rev Dr. Joanna Collicutt, Anglican Priest, Theologian and Clinical Psychologist, and one of the authors of the recent BRF publication 'Death & Life: a church’s guide to exploring mortality'.

Her presentation will be followed by discussion groups and feedback, ensuring you have a chance to exchange views with others.

Over lunchtime we will continue our habit of offering a creative practice slot which this year will be led by Music Therapist, Brigitta Schwartling, who will share ways in which music can act as a support for those approaching death.

The focus in the afternoon will be on Faith Perspectives in a Secular Society as our former chair, Gerry Burke, will launch our new revised CoA Booklet, 'Dying and Death: A Christian approach in a secular society'.

Then, in light of current moves in various UK legislatures, we will look at the topic of Assisted Dying. Our two speakers both featured in a recent BBC Radio 4 edition of Beyond Belief which explored the issue. Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain is leader of the Maidenhead Reform Synagogue and Chair of the Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying, a group of religious people from across the country who are fighting for a change in the law on assisted dying. Rev Katie Tupling is Chaplain at St Hugh’s College Oxford and Disability Adviser for the Oxford Diocese. They will both offer their perspectives on the debate and in discussions our focus will be to consider what protections might make any proposed law more acceptable.

The conference will be chaired by Rev Dr Keith Albans and facilitated by the Executive Committee of Christians on Ageing members.

We will conclude at 4pm.