Life Journey

One year after my wife’s death from cancer, I facilitated an adult Sunday School class on end of life issues at the church where she grew up, where we were married, and where her celebration of life service was held. Over 75 members participated and provided loving support as I reflected on my work as a hospice chaplain and as one who utilized hospice services to include the hospice chaplain, Rev. John Poortenga, who still walks with me today on the grief journey.

As part of this journey, I will be heading to Portugal and Spain and walking the Camino Portuguese route in July. I appreciate your prayers for physical strength as I tackle the 100 mile route and spiritual strength to grow closer to God as I join others in the journey to Santiago de Compostela. This pilgrimage is associated with the memory of Saint James, and has welcomed pilgrims from throughout the world who desire to strengthen their spirit with the Apostle’s witness of faith and love.

Speaking further to end of life issues, Synod 2025 has concluded, and I recommend to our chaplains to review the report on Medically Assisted Suicide (MAS) in the 2025 Agenda (pp. 282-310). Synod also approved the recommendations for more education on end of life issues at the classis and congregational levels and to provide further training to those involved in pastoral care in this area. This is where chaplains can lead with boldness!

No matter what setting we serve as chaplains, many of us through our expertise in pastoral care can serve as a tremendous resource to our calling churches. I encourage you to reach out to your council and see where you can offer your wisdom and skills to assist others in their journey dealing with end of life issues. If you have resources (i.e. presentations) that deal with this, please pass them on to me so that I can share your valuable resources with others.

Thank you to those chaplains who met with members of the Assisted Suicide Task Force in this past year and provided insight into the impact of MAS on their healthcare and hospice workplaces.

Grace and Peace,

Tim Rietkerk

Thrive Ministry Consultant/Chaplain Endorser

P.S. I look forward to seeing all of the chaplains in October at the Pastors’ Gathering in Niagara Falls as we journey together through some special chaplain training and learn and commune with other pastors in the CRCNA!