How do grief and hope co-exist in our hearts? How is that possible? Some of us deny the seeds of hope in our grieving hearts, thinking we must remain faithful to our loved one’s memory. Hope is as alive as our grief. It does not take away the pain, but lives alongside it. Hope sustains our wounded heart as as we find our way though the land of Loss. This day of reflection will include the support of community, prayer, ritual and quiet - each valuable resources for healing a grieving heart.

  "Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it the road comes into existence." Lin Tuang This where we being in the Land of Loss. Hope reveals itself when we rely upon it. With every step we take, we etch the path of hope into our lives. When we develop an intentional relationship with hope, we increase our capacity to see hope's flowering along the way. Our time together at Mercy by the Sea's safe and sacred setting will include the support of community through the shared experience of grief, prayer, ritual an quiet - each valuable resources for healing. We will explore how our vulnerability is our ally, a secret passageway that leads to a strong, beautiful and hopeful heart. We will reflect on lessons of loss and promptings of hope to honor conscious grieving, self-compassion and trust the healing process. This day program is open to those experiencing loss of all kinds.

Retreats, especially silent directed retreats, allow us to withdraw from the busyness of life and to reflect on and deepen our relationship with God. Directed retreats offer an experience grounded in solitude, silence, prayer and daily meetings with a spiritual director. Directed silent retreats call for receptivity to the movements of the spirit and are adapted to the needs of each individual. Mercy by the Sea, located on the shores of Long Island Sound with 33 acres of grounds, offers a safe sacred space in which to explore who we are and who God is.

  This monthly group meets at the Red Barn in Durham, CT, facilitated by Michelle Pellin, MS, MA, LPC, CBIS, LLC, provides support for those whose loss was sudden, violent or traumatic. Lisa Irish will share her understanding of grief with a special focus on self-care through the transformative process of this unique experience of loss.

Grief is our built-in response to loss, our ally on the confusing, painful and transformative journey. When we choose to grieve consciously, our intention creates a space for courage and hope to flourish. Support groups are important tools for grief work and to aid the mystery of healing. Lisa Irish will share her understanding of grief to this established support group for those who've lost a child.

Receive Lisa Irish's gentle support for recent loss and her helpful wisdom for the losses yet to be. Losses weave their way throughout our lives, influencing the next path we take. Grief is our built-in response to loss, our ally on the confusing, painful and transformative journey. When we choose to grieve consciously, our intention creates a space for courage and hope to flourish.  Call 914-330-1474 to register.

"I go down to the edge of the sea. How everything shines in the morning light!" -Mary Oliver                                                                                    We are delighted to invite you, your staff and key volunteers to Mercy by the Sea in Madison, CT, on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 for a day of refreshment and renewal for Christian ministry teams of all denominations. We are aware of the challenges in ministry, the demands that impact our lives. At the same time, we seek to treasure the gifts and graces that we experience along the way. Our hope for this day of presence is to reaffirm your personal and shared call to ministry. We’ll have a gentle mixture of ideas, prayer, poetry, relationship, and quiet time along with a delicious lunch prepared by Mercy by the Sea’s wonderful kitchen staff. We are asking $15.00 a person to cover lunch expenses; the rest of the day is a gift to you. Who Is Invited? Come down to the…