Compassion is an important value highlighted in all sacred texts. Compassion becomes even more important when deeply personal issues of people’s lives are treated with stigma, shame, and judgment by others.
Background
It was the spirit of compassion that prompted Revs. Finley Schaef and Howard Moody to form the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion (CCS) in 1967.
Today, RCRC trains professionals in ministry, healthcare, social work, and other direct care services to provide judgment-free emotional and spiritual support during reproductive crises. We do this to help ensure that individuals who experience reproductive challenges are supported in ways that honor their human dignity and focus on their lived experiences, spiritual beliefs, moral values, hopes, and needs.
Who is it For?
Our Compassionate Care curriculum is designed for professionals and students in a number of helping professions, including:
- Religious and spiritual ministry
- Mental health
- Social work
- General medical health
- Abortion and reproductive health
- Sex education
- Legal services for judicial bypass
- And more . . .
Practice-Based Training
In the Compassionate Care curriculum you will learn how to:
- Stay focused on the life situations, beliefs and values of care-seekers
- Strengthen your skills to provide spiritual care in secular spaces
- Learn about the origins of fetal personhood and the changes in attitudes and policies about reproduction across U.S. history
- Increase your knowledge about what different religions teach about reproductive issues and how these teachings might impact care-seekers
- Expand your network with other spiritual leaders, healthcare providers, social workers and direct services professionals and students in your community
- Develop strategies for fostering more compassionate congregations and communities that support reproductive dignity and freedom
Delivery Format
Compassionate Care modules can be available in a few different ways:
- In-person
- Online self-guided course
Participant Testimonials
“This was the best gift I have received in a long time — and is applicable to all of my work as an advocate.”
“Powerful training — appreciate the combination of ritual and information. Especially appreciate the focus on the history of RJ and centrality of women of color in this work.”
“I learned that compassion for reproductive health is a needed narrative that I was not supporting. I will now!”
“I know much better how to
respond when patients raise
spiritual issues.”
