The holiday season can be a time of excitement and joy. However, for those who have lost a loved one, the holidays can be filled with many different emotions.
Holiday traditions and memories can bring up feelings of sadness, anger, and confusion, whether the loss has been recent or in the remote past. Watching others celebrate can be very painful and often a reminder of a loved one’s absence.
But there is hope! The Dwell Grief Ministry will offer a free 90-minute workshop, Navigating Holiday Grief, on Sunday, November 5th, at 1:30 pm. It will be held in the Dwell Office Auditorium. This workshop will provide practical coping strategies for dealing with the many emotions of the holiday season, reassessing past traditions, navigating social events, and maintaining a positive perspective. It will also present God's offer of hope in the midst of sorrow and for the future.
This event can be a great opportunity to reach out to your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members who are in grief. It allows people in the local community to be aware of the kind of practical care they can receive from our fellowship. If someone you know would benefit from this workshop, please consider coming with him or her to support them.
Understanding that the holidays can be a difficult time for those who are grieving may not make it easier, but it can help you understand and accept your reactions. Acknowledging that this time of year won’t be easy, and making specific plans to prepare for it will be helpful.
Remember: people with terminally ill loved ones are also grieving.
Here’s what to expect at the workshop:
- Video: a 25-minute video will be shown containing encouraging, practical advice from counselors, pastors, and other individuals including Paul David Tripp, Larry Crabb, Crawford Loritts, and H. Norman Wright.
- Panel Discussion: a panel will discuss what they have learned from past holiday experiences and what has helped them during the holidays.
- Study guide: Each participant will receive a book with more than 30 short readings on how to navigate the challenges of the holidays while grieving.
To register or ask any questions, please email grief@dwellcc.org.
Learn about other Grief Ministry programs.