An opportunity to talk with author, Lisa Irish, about her new book, "Grieving - the Sacred Art: Hope in the Land of Loss." Books will be available for purchase and signing, along with the welcoming resources of Russell Library.

Alone in Your Grief Too often, our losses are not understood or shared by others. Loss of a pet, a break in a relationship, divorce, losses from long ago, and other life experiences, send us into the Land of Loss along with the death of loved ones. We find ourselves stranded in grief without traditional sources of support. Without the community’s recognition and validation, our grief becomes “disenfranchised.” Together, we will honor all of our losses, explore the concept of conscious grieving and identify tools to “enfranchise” our grief. This day of reflection will include the support of community, prayer, ritual and quiet - each valuable resources for healing a grieving heart.  

 Losses weave their way throughout our lives, influencing the next path we take. Grief is our built-in response to loss, our ally in traveling the confusing, painful and transformative Land of Loss. This program gently supports those with recent loss and provides us all with a template for the losses yet to be. Tangible ideas will be offered to help navigate the Land of Loss, with key reminders about our path toward healing. Current bereavement teaching and spiritual wisdom are shared, affirming that grief is, indeed, a sacred journey.

  Presentation to the chaplains and staff of the Yale-New Haven Spiritual Care Department,   outlining concepts from "Grieving - the Sacred Art: Hope in the Land of Loss." Offered with gratitude for the deep learning gained from the Hospital of St Raphael's Bereavement program, the pastoral care team and the support from Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Lisa will be one of three guests interviewed on Open to Hope TV on Saturday, June 16. https://www.opentohope.com/tv/ Dr Gloria Horsley and her daughter, Dr Heidi Horsley created Open to Hope, an online grief support resources that includes blogs, radio and TV programming to offer hope after loss. The June 16 event will be a  "taping" with the two hosts learning more about Lisa as an author and as a woman who faced several losses. Guests are included in the audience, the location is West 59th St in Manhattan. Contact Lisa for moe details.

                 "The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God. Therefore, true ministry must be mutual."  Henri Nouwen You are invited to a day of prayer and reflection. We will look at "ministry" as a loving exchange between all involved – minister, recipient and God. Together, we will explore and share the mystery of ministry...as individuals and as a team.