(no subject)

[rivka]

I'm going to be preaching at my church on July 11. In fact, with the help of a Worship Associate (who presumably will know what he or she is doing, one hopes - because I don't), I'll be doing the whole service.

I kind of can't believe I got myself into this.

The title of my sermon is "Life Or Death Situations." I'm going to talk about my experiences working with people who are terminally ill and and people who are suicidal. The scary part, for me, is that I am going to talk about why assisted suicide is problematic and why I believe that endorsement of assisted suicide is contrary to UU religious values. I don't think that will be a popular opinion in my church.

I met with our minister yesterday to talk about it. He is very encouraging, and has promised me any support I need. But it's still going to come down to me writing a sermon and then standing up to deliver it, in front of a whole bunch of people who probably don't want to hear what I have to say.

I know there are several ministers and lay religious leaders who read my LJ; any advice you have would be incredibly helpful.

Comments

[castiron.livejournal.com]

No advice, but Davidson Loehr's story of a man who had said he didn't want to be kept alive if he had a massive paralyzing stroke, and who then had that stroke, has stuck with me ever since I heard that sermon.
(http://www.austinuu.org/wp/2004/10/on-death-and-dying/ (http://www.austinuu.org/wp/2004/10/on-death-and-dying/) , about 5/6 down the page)