March 8, 2018
Maybe it is standard practice for this particular provider, or maybe it is due to my advancing years… I know not which it is. I recently had a routine medical procedure performed, and in the prep area before the procedure I was asked a question I have never been asked before. I’m ashamed to admit the question took me by surprise.
“Do you have a living will for health care decisions?” The person asked. I was taken aback a little. “I didn’t know this procedure was that risky” was my first snarky remark. And then the reality sunk in. “Uh, no, I don’t.” “How could I have neglected to think about this?” And yet I had never given having a Living Will a single thought. Ever.
That question served as a wakeup call on matters I had woefully neglected. I need to do better! I’m now taking it as part of my pastoral responsibility not only to have a Living Will for myself, but to encourage you to have one too.
What is a Living Will?
There are several components to it, which are technically separate matters that are often grouped together. A Living Will, also known as an Advance Directive or Health Care Power of Attorney, is a composite document in which you:
-Articulate your wishes for the type of medical care you are to receive in the event you are incapable of making such decisions yourself.
-Designate a person or persons who are authorized to follow your directive and/or make such decisions for you.
-Specify the types of life support you do or do not wish to receive.
-Outline limitations and exceptions to any of the above.
-Clarify your wishes concerning organ donation. (Say yes, btw. Just ask Al!)
These are important matters to think about, which means this is an important document to complete!
Do I need an Advance Directive or Living Will?
Yes, you do. This is obviously so for those who are getting older. Yet accidents, illness and tragedy can happen at any age and having an Advance Directive is a good idea for all adults. Thinking through such matters can spare your family some anguish and help to avoid potential family conflict at the worst possible time. In short, it is a loving thing to do.
How do I get one?
I’m glad you asked. Here is a link that is most helpful https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/relationships/caregiving/2011_01/ad/NorthCarolina.pdf
Follow the directions given in the document, and make sure to have it properly Notarized.
People often have a hard time remembering where they put their Living Will or what happened to it. The NC Secretary of State office maintains a registry http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/ahcdr/Forms.aspx to help with that problem! Health providers can access this database as well.
Do you have a Living Will? Does it need to be updated?
I am late getting there, but I hope you will join me in thinking through and doing something about this. Having a Living Will is a responsible and loving thing to do.
What’s an Agape Meal?
CTR’s second Agape Meal is coming up Thursday, March 29th.
So what’s an Agape Meal (also known as a Love Feast)? For starters, though there are connections to it we will explore more on the 29th, an Agape Meal is not a Seder celebration. It is a celebration of the Last Supper within the context of a community meal together. The earliest Christians ate together whenever they celebrated the Lord’s Supper, and the Eucharist happened as part of that meal. For them, eating regular food and spiritual food were part of the same event. Examples of this can be found in 1 Cor 11:20-34, Jude 12 & 2 Peter 2:12-13.
Our Agape Meal is happening on Maundy Thursday, the day in which we commemorate the institution of the Last Supper. Over the years, I came to feel that our remembrance of the Last Supper was too detached and formalized from the first Last Supper that we were trying to remember! Jesus gathered with his disciples around a meal in an intimate, informal setting.
So last year we moved our Maundy Thursday celebration out of the church and incorporated it into having a meal together. Our Agape Meal is a way of recapturing the intimacy of the first Last Supper, and also a way for us to experience the Eucharistic celebration of the early church. Those who attended last year found it to be a powerful and moving time. I hope you will be able to join us on the 29th.
See you Sunday!
-Bill
