Are you a caregiver taking care of your spouse, parents/in-laws, siblings, child, or another loved one? Do you know caregivers? Are you a minister, elder or deacon with caregivers in your congregation or ward? Are you a nurse or a volunteer at a LTC or assisted living care home? Please join us on November 15, 2025 for a conference for caregiver and church leaders.
We also kindly ask you to fill out a survey about your needs as a caregiver and what you would like your church to know about the challenges you can face as a caregiver by following the link: Caregiver’s survey
Some background
Currently, one in four Canadians is a caregiver and one in two will become one at some point in their lives; three out of four caregivers are juggling work with caregiving; one out of three caregivers admits being stressed and of all Canadians over 65, one out of four are caregivers themselves; see the following article for more information about caregivers: Canadian-caregivers-are-at-a-breaking-point
Caregivers experience unique physical, emotional and spiritual needs and are often overwhelmed with the enormity of the task. Therefore, the Word and Spirit Institute, together with Connecting Streams, is organizing a conference for caregivers and church leaders. During the conference, we will discuss various ways of how the church can support caregivers, what church leaders and lay-helpers need to know in order to help caregivers, and what caregivers can do to help and support themselves and their loved ones. Helpful resources will be shared, explained and discussed. Moreover, you will hear from others what has worked for them and what hasn’t, and how they deal with difficult situations.
The Conference
A devotional will be given by Pastor Matthew van Luik and after that, several short presentations will be shared by Dr. Tom McCormick with comments by and discussion with Dr. Jason van Vliet as well as testimonies, Q&A and discussions from the attendees.
Pastor Matthew van Luik has served as a pastor for over 40 years in various congregations of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
Dr. Tom McCormick has served as a chaplain and advocate for spiritual care for the aging for over 50 years.
Dr. Jason van Vliet is the principal of the Theological Seminary of the Canadian Reformed Churches; he and his wife Janet are (grand)-parents and are also caregivers for their parents/in-laws.
The Schedule
9:00 – 9:10 Welcome and Opening – Prayer and Hymn
9:10 – 9:25 Devotional by Pastor Matthew van Luik
9:25 – 9:30 Testimony
9:30 – 9:40 “What Do Caregivers Need Most?” – Presentation by Dr. Tom McCormick
9:40 – 10:00 Practical Resources and Handout for Caregivers
10:00 – 10:05 Testimony
10:05 – 10:40 Discussion “Unique Challenges for Caregivers and Loved Ones” – Presentation by Dr. Tom McCormick with Response by Dr. Jason van Vliet plus Q&A
10:40 – 10:50 Testimony
10:50 – 11:00 Break
11:00 – 11:05 Testimony
11:05 – 11:50 Panel Discussion – “How Can We Help?” plus Q&A
