September 22 – October 31, 2025
Course Description
Aging is a multidimensional process that touches every part of life: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social. This course equips participants to engage aging not only as a biological reality but as a complex, dynamic experience shaped by systems, identities, and cultural contexts.
Participants will explore how ageism, both personal and systemic, impacts the way we understand and support older adults. Together, we'll examine how congregations, senior-care organizations, families, and caregivers can challenge ageist assumptions and adapt to the diverse needs of aging populations with dignity, equity, and creativity.
We will also explore how aging intersects with other factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, health behaviors, and access to care across the lifespan. Particular attention will be paid to cultural considerations, end-of-life concerns, and how aging shapes and is shaped by the vitality of our faith communities, neighborhoods, and families.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the physical, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of aging as an integrated, lifelong process.
- Identify and challenge personal and systemic ageism in caregiving, ministry, and community contexts.
- Design or evaluate programs, services, and ministries that center older adults' agency, dignity, and belonging, informed by current research and best practices.
- Integrate cultural awareness, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of work with aging populations.
The course site will open in late August. All materials will be available through the course platform. Each week, the course will explore the experience of aging as an integrated, relational, and spiritual journey. It will highlight how the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of aging intersect and how ageism in our culture and churches can distort our understanding of what it means to grow older. Weekly learning includes readings, short videos, and written reflections designed to help participants engage deeply and practically.
Location
Online
Facilitator
Zeena Regis. Zeena holds an M.Div. degree from Columbia Theological Seminary. She is a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., a hospice chaplain, an author, and a curriculum writer. She serves as the Faith Engagement Manager at Compassion & Choices, the nation's oldest, largest, and most active nonprofit working to improve care, expand options and empower everyone to chart their end-of-life journey.
Schedule
The course will meet live via Zoom from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET on the following Thursdays: September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2025.
The weekly course topics are:
Week 1: The Integrated Experience of Aging
Week 2: Aging in Context
Week 3: Aging as Sacred Work
Week 4: Ageism in Society
Week 5: Ageism in the Church
Week 6: Final Project Presentations & Integration
Participants must be comfortable using technology, as this course is hosted online though the course site (Moodle) and Zoom meetings.
Program Fee
The program fee is $265. Register before July 7 for a $30 early bird discount.
All balances are due September 8, 2025. Cancelations must be received before this date, to receive a refund of the program fee minus the $50 non-refundable deposit.
Additional Information
Registration will close two weeks prior to September 22, 2025, or when registration has reached maximum capacity. Day-of registrations are not permitted.
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