March 2022
Moving from Lament to Hope in a Changing World
"Moving from Lament to Hope in a Changing World" - Part One of a three-part series to explore, grieve and pray with Covid's life-changing impact on our relationships.
Find out more »April 2022
Conscious Grieving – Cultivating Hope in the Land of Loss
“Each time we say yes to our fears and vulnerabilities, we move closer to our hopes and strengths.” — Lisa Irish We are experiencing loss and grief in an entirely new way these days. As our global humanitarian losses mount, our personal losses can become “disenfranchised” in that we do not receive the community recognition and support that we expect and need. At the same time, we can feel overwhelmed by the “collective and anticipatory grief” that we share each day. Conscious Grieving invites us to trust the healing that all types of grief offer, even in these extreme times. Let us come together to explore the transformative nature of grief, honor the sacred strands of connectedness that support our humanity, and trust the One wherein hope lies. This onsite program will include presentation, prayer, small and large group conversation, quiet and ritual – all valuable resources for healing. Those from all faith traditions with all kinds of losses are welcome, including those wounded from COVID-19. We will share a contemplative space where each person’s experience of loss is honored and each person’s heart is acknowledged as precious. Together, we will find nourishment and strength in compassion and discover the connective…
Find out more »Loss and Grief Didactic
The JED Center for Spiritual Care and Education is an ACPE CPE accredited center offering Level I & Level II Clinical Pastoral Education, CPE. The faculty of the programs are ACPE Certified Educators. Serving as adjunct faculty, this one hour session will outline basic concepts around Conscious Grieving as part of a Clinical Pastoral Education unit of study.
Find out more »May 2022
Silent Directed Retreat
In our tumultuous world, there seems to be a need to seek a new way of being that affirms life, acknowledges the interconnectedness of all things, and honors the sacred in all creation. To that end, Mercy by the Sea’s programs help participants listen in to and trust the still inner voice that speaks to them beyond ego, consumerism and cultural systems of domination. This deep listening allows their deepest longings, creative imagination and fledgling efforts in service of a greater good to incubate, grow, emerge, nurture and pollinate the world. Silent directed retreats allow us to withdraw from the busyness of life and to reflect on and deepen our relationship with God. They offer an experience grounded in solitude, silence, and prayer, and include daily meetings with a spiritual director.
Find out more »October 2022
Zoom program: Group Spiritual Direction – Claiming the Light Within – SOLD OUT
Come share the sacred space of Group Spiritual Direction to support your exploration of the Light that resides within each of us. Allow our circle of trust through a monthly Zoom session to encounter the Divine within one another, yourself, and in our brave and complex world. GSD, introduced by Rose Mary Dougherty, SSND, provides a gentle container for silence and reflection, inviting participants to “be with God on behalf of one another.” Together, we will claim and savor the Light of love that leads us forward. Sessions will be 6-8p ET on the following Tuesdays: 10/11/22, 11/8/22, 12/13/22, 1/10/23, 2/14/23, 3/14/23 REGISTER HERE
Find out more »November 2022
Healing Loss Through Conscious Grieving and Writing
How do we heal from loss? We grieve. Our bodies, minds and hearts are created to process loss of all kinds through a sacred journey of grieving. A significant resource on that journey is writing….putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) opens our heart in new ways and supports our desire to heal. This overnight retreat will offer a safe space for reflection, writing, sharing and stillness. As you give voice to your loss and allow time for your grief, you take brave steps toward hope and healing. REGISTER HERE
Find out more »The Path of Conscious Grieving
Our contemporary times have added a significant context of loss to our daily life experience. We learned that loss weaves its way through our lives in many forms, some are acknowledged, many are not. Grief, our companion and ally, guides both our personal and collective journeys in the Land of Loss, leading us toward healing and hope. This day of prayer and reflection will create space for content, sharing, ritual and silence - all valuable resources for a path of conscious grieving. Together, we will create and name moments of respite, glimmers of healing and offer permission to grieve. REGISTER HERE
Find out more »January 2023
Healing Loss Through Conscious Grieving and Writing – SOLD OUT
How do we heal from loss? We grieve. Our bodies, minds and hearts are created to process loss of all kinds through a sacred journey of grieving. A significant resource on that journey is writing….putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) opens our heart in new ways and supports our desire to heal. This 2 night overnight retreat will offer a safe space for reflection, writing, sharing and stillness. As you give voice to your loss and allow time for your grief, you take brave steps toward hope and healing. No writing experience is necessary. REGISTER HERE
Find out more »Zoom program: Attending Grief – Hope in a Changing World
Loss weaves its way into our lives in multiple ways, through death and non-death losses. Grief offers a process of healing that acknowledges loss, sometimes missing in certain types of loss, and opens a space for hope to grow. This day on Zoom will offer a safe place to develop a deeper trust in grief as our ally and companion in loss. Presentation, private reflection, prayer and small group conversations will support this sacred time together. REGISTER HERE
Find out more »March 2023
An Evening with Lisa Irish: Hope in the Land of Loss
The John P. Webster Library, at First Church in West Hartford, welcomes Lisa Irish to share stories of hope from the Land of Loss. When her book, Grieving - the Sacred Art: Hope in the Land of Loss was released 5 years ago, Lisa set out on a path to support people who travel the journey of grief. Today, shaped by multiple opportunities to listen, teach and create safe spaces for hurting hearts, Lisa invites pilgrims to welcome Grief as their ally in the Land of Loss....to trust their inherent guide for healing. The program is free, includes conversation, book giveaways and an opportunity to buy a signed copy of this helpful resource. Click here for a DIRECT REGISTRATION LINK Contact JPW Library to reserve a spot. 860-232-3893 [email protected]
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