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Finding Hope in Grief
Ste-Genevieve United Church in Dollard des Ormeaux, QC, started re-imagining what they could be more than two years ago. They had lots of relationships and partnerships in the local community, and were keen to explore what that could evolve into. They were interested in being a wellness centre, with spiritual wellness already being a core part of their work.
The first thing they did was a needs assessment - there's no point in creating something new in a vacuum, so speaking with the partners and the people in the community was a key way to find out what was needed.
One existing partnership was with a local funeral home; their minister was also a chaplain at the local palliative care facility. What they realized is that there was a deep need for a bereavement centre. And upon further investigation, they realized that grief and loss go much beyond when someone dies. There is environmental grief, grief over losing a job, the grief from the fall out of a natural disaster, and even the grief in downsizing our living space as we age. And so, their initial idea of a bereavement centre evolved into a grief and loss centre.
One program they created was “Before I Die”; a giant chalkboard where people could write down their dreams. Instead of being morbid, it was very hopeful. This giant chalkboard has travelled around, even outside of churches. With this program, they have adapted to what is needed locally by using smaller boards.
They also create responsive grieving workshops. Even churches experience grief, for example when selling their buildings, or getting used to how things are different in church now, compared to how it was decades ago. These workshops and support frameworks honour this legacy and help people move forward.
They have new programs that are constantly being created based on the needs that they are seeing in the community. The grieving process is creating space for hope.
Watch the Loss & Living Program Story with Judy Coffin.
This is a Monday Fellowship Storytelling Session. Join It Live!
Join every Monday online at 1pm EDT
Place: Zoom
Or call in at +16475580588 Meeting ID 320889290#
[Photo courtesy of Ste. Genevieve United Church]
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Rural Routes
This gathering is to nurture community among rural congregations, providing time and space for both structured and informal conversation, worship, education, play, and table fellowship. It’s a time and place to share our stories: what is working well and what we lament or long for, what brings us joy and who is our neighbour.
It’s a time to imagine together ways in which members of small, rural congregations might remain grounded in and able to share the Gospel despite sometimes challenging circumstances and it’s a time to begin to imagine new models for ministry supportive of the rural experience. Our speaker and world café facilitator will be Dr. Marvin Anderson.
For more information (speaker bio, itinerary, full description and accommodations list) and/or to register call 506-536-0216, e-mail catherineesmith@hotmail.com, or visit the website.
Supported by an Innovation Grant from Embracing the Spirit.
[Picture credit: Adam Young]
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#9000Steeples Survey
There are 27,000 faith buildings in Canada; one third are set to close in the next 10 years. Twelve step groups, children’s programming, the food bank, blood donor clinics, arts groups, and community meetings all are occasionally housed in places of faith. Where is all this activity to go in the absence of the faith buildings?
Faith & the Common Good has formed a partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario NonProfit Network, Cardus, The National Trust For Canada and the City of Toronto to enumerate the following via an Ontario-wide survey:
- How many not-for-profit and community groups currently operate programming out of faith buildings?
If you or a group that you know conducts activities out of a place of faith, please complete this ten-minute survey and help us study the risk to the broader community of places of worship closing.
[Picture via Faith & the Common Good]
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“Getting Ahead” Deserves a Celebration
Government, education, correctional, and social service institutions are overwhelmed by the increasing needs of people living in poverty. Bridges Out of Poverty is a highly successful citizen-led initiative being used by 370 communities across North America. Bedford House is part of the Peterborough-wide Bridges Out of Poverty strategy, a growing network of organizations and individuals working to bridge the poverty gap in our community. Here is their latest update.
We gathered for food, fun, and storytelling. The story of the day was about the graduation of a new batch of Getting Ahead investigators and mentors.
The Getting Ahead study process involves sixteen sessions where participants engage in group discussions and self-reflection exercises. It offers a systemic view of poverty’s four causes (personal, social, corporate-exploitative, and political policies). The study also grounds us in basic concepts such as the 11 Essential Resources for a stable life, and the Hidden Rules of class.
Five participants hosted the weekly study group at the Mount, where they live. They were joined by a group of ten mentors about a third of the way into the Getting Ahead study. This group is now ready to become a Bridging Team in the ‘bridging out of poverty” work with Bedford House.
Wednesday’s party involved the usual uproarious doses of laughter and heart-felt sentiments shared. The potluck table was overflowing and there was lots of time for meeting new friends. This gathering represents the first time folks from different teams have come together for the cross-fertilization of relationships.
It was an inauguration of what we’re calling the Neighbour Network.
Graduates were handed a certificate by facilitators Kat and Todd. These two led the study after experiencing the pilot Bridging Team in 2018 – and wanted to share the process with new folks.
“It’s contagious…” says Kat. “the sharing, the learning, the laughter, and the deepening of relationships – all as part of a global social movement to end poverty – you just want more!”
Read the whole story here.
[Photo courtesy of Circles Guelph Wellington]
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