Has a death, diagnosis, accident, relationship, financial change, or just getting older impacted your life? No matter who you are - old and young - I can guarantee the answer is “yes”. Most of us just ignore the building grief to just keep plugging away, putting it off “until later”. But when “later” can no longer be ignored we are left with the question, “Am I ready to die?”
This workshop is not about will-making, planned giving, or powers of attorney. Rather, it seeks to expand the spiritual, psychological, and social frameworks we hold that hinder our day-by-day living in truth and personal freedom - and from building families and communities grounded in love. Transforming grief into gratitude is a life-long skill whereby we grow in joy and end with peace.
Each of the below topics could be full-day workshops on their own. The intention of these several weeks is to provide an INTRODUCTION to the concepts and an OVERVIEW of learning, resources, and practices that the attendees may pursue as inspired.
WORKSHOP SESSIONS
While not required, there is some value in attending all of the sessions in person (dates/times listed are below). However, it is a reality (and a premise of the workshop!) that “Life Happens” - so be encouraged to attend as you are able. There is no sign-up or cost, except an RSVP for the All-Church Movie night (see below).
It has been requested to record or ZOOM the workshop sessions, but given the personal nature of the content and discussion, we have decided not to do so for the sake of attendees’ privacy. The good news is, after each session, we will post online notes, reading excerpts, supplemental content, and list specific resources which can help you ‘catch up’.
“Griefwalker” 🪦 Sunday October 8th at 4 pm
This documentary film will help us confront how easily we ignore the fear of our own death, which in turn allows unnecessary pain for those we care for and our own last days. The life and work of Stephen Jenkinson – a grief counselor and First Nations death practitioner – gently and firmly challenges us to think differently about death.
“Lesson of the Newborn” 🐣 Sunday October 15th, 4 pm
We are born into grief. Everything changes and nothing on this plane is forever. We experience grief when the thing/person we loved and believed would always be there is lost – leaving a hole in our lives. This session looks at how to expand our focus from the thing/person lost (and isn’t coming back) to identify the void and what remains.
“Lesson of the Lily” 🪷 Sunday October 22nd at 4 pm
The water Lily cannot grow without mud to feed its roots. Where do those nutrients come from? There is a natural purpose for grief that helps us process our loss and pain into the mulch where new growth and joy can flourish. It isn’t easy, but over time the process of grief metabolizes our loss to fill the void. Grief, we discover, is another way of loving. This presentation, citing several Native and Eastern sources, is shared by Rev. Loofbourrow and Rev. Mark Pedigo.
“Lesson of the Canoe” Sunday October 29th at 4 pm
We take a few steps back to view the whole of our life (birth to youth to adult to senior to death) where we discover a new perspective of our self-image, relationships, and life purpose. How does our journey interact with others, as they begin and end their time in the stream? What actions today will build understanding when we realize that everyone on Earth has the same ending in store?
“Lesson of the Butterfly” 🦋 Sunday November 12th at 4 pm
There is a rhythm to human life – natural stages, each with a logical focus and purpose. Native cultures have much to teach us about the importance of rites of passage and growing into the next anticipated stage. We want to understand “wisdom” – how we get it and how we pass it on. This discussion will include how we start grief-filling now before we end – so when our day comes, we ourselves and those who love us will be fully prepared: nothing left unsaid, memories passed down, and the process of letting go well underway.
“Connecting with our Heritage” 🦉 🦋 Saturday November 18th at 4 – 6 pm
ALL-GENERATIONS MOVIE and ACTIVITY NIGHT
Families, singles, seniors, and kids – gather for a light supper and a viewing of the Pixar film “Coco”!
Everyone will also be invited to add their family to the Pilgrim Forest of Family Trees (to be displayed through Thanksgiving weekend) as each group/individual remembers their loved ones who have passed on and those still among us. This movie and activity are designed to gently open conversations for young ones around honoring elders, the importance of family stories, and the reality of death.
“Pilgrim Family Legacy” 🦉 Sunday November 19th, 9:30 am
Capping off the workshop, we will discuss resources and strategies to continue the dialog of grief-gratitude-growth with ideas for activities that foster eldership, record our family stories, and build a culture of wisdom.