Mennonite Chaplaincy Resources
- 3 days ago
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About Mennonite Christianity
Mennonites are a religious-cultural group established in the 16th century during the Protestant Reformation when some Christians separated from the Roman Catholic Church. Mennonites date their separate Christian identity to the Anabaptist movement of the early 16th-century Reformation. Anabaptist (literally "rebaptizers") and Mennonite ordinances differ from other Christian denominations in that baptism is a choice made by mature voluntary believers (not infants); the communion service sometimes includes foot washing as a symbol of humility and service. The first Mennonites in Canada arrived in the late 18th century, settling initially in Southern Ontario. Today, almost 200,000 Mennonites call Canada home. More than half live in cities, mainly in Winnipeg.
Attitudes to death
Cremation is not supported because the body must return to dust.
It is common for the husband or eldest son to be involved in discussions with the
physician or minister regarding health-related decisions and the care of their
loved one.
Some customs include sitting and singing by the bedside of the dying loved
one, providing physical comfort and meals for the sick individual’s family
(usually done by wives and daughters).
Privacy is needed to engage in these activities.
When a person loses the ability to live independently or is dying, his or her
family members (particularly daughters) become the primary care givers.
It is important for their Minister to be a part of end-of-life directives and
provide guidance relating to health care.
Being with the dying person is a shared responsibility of the entire
community.
It is unusual for an elder or patient to enter a facility for end-of-life care, unless
the family and community cannot provide appropriate care.
Believe that they can only be saved by faith and through Jesus Christ, who is
the concrete expression of God’s love.
Explore with the family what role they would like their minister to play in their
end-of-life journey.
Mennonite resources for hospice chaplains
Mennonite articles about death & dying
The gift of life, the question of death (2023) Reflections on medically assisted death
Hold tenderly to death (2023)
Life and Death Matters (2023)
A recording of a webinar entitled “Life and Death Matters: Exploring Medical Assistance in Dying”.
Can we talk about death? (2018)
“In the midst of life, we are surrounded by death.” These words are often spoken by a pastor during a graveside service at which loved ones gather to bury the deceased. They are taken from the Mennonite Church’s Minister’s Manual.
To be no longer known (2023) Reflections on Psalm 103
Matters of life and death (2021)
As he lay dying (2023)
