Faith Formation

September 15, 2021 – December 1, 2021

Wednesdays at 6:30 pm

Grief Support: Finding Meaning

Group Description:

The past 18 months have been difficult for all of us. We have experienced multiple and myriad losses. The loss of in-person worship. The loss of communion in both kinds. The loss of warm embraces during the “passing of the peace.” And so many have lost so much more. Lost jobs, deaths of loved ones. Funeral services and memorials abbreviated, delayed, or abandoned altogether. This 12-week Faith Formation offering at St. Ambrose is an opportunity for intentional reflection around grief. Together we will explore the ways that grief and loss impact each of us. As we pass through the stages of grief and move toward “acceptance” of all that has happened, how can we continue to find “meaning” in the here-and-now? To ground and structure our weekly discussions, we will use David Kessler’s book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief (2019) as a resource and guide. (Note: The book is available paperback, audiobook, and Kindle.)

 

Group Covenant:

  • Confidentiality- What’s said in group stays in group
  • Each week, each person will be prepared to have one quote (or theme, image, or personal connection) from the reading to add to the discussion
  • Unless speaking keep on mute, As the Spirit leads, “unmute” to participate in the conversation
  • Speak from the first-person (A.K.A.- use “I language”)
  • Listen deeply and well to what others say
  • Respect each person’s vulnerability & strength, pain & loss
  • Honor each person’s unique grief journey
  • It’s okay to cry, not to cry… (it’s okay to laugh too!)

Schedule of Reading/Sessions

Session

Date

Finding Meaning assigned reading

1

9/15/2021

Introduction (pages 1-10)

 

I. Every Loss Has Meaning

2

9/22/2021

Chapter 1- What is Meaning? (pages 13-28)

 

3

9/29/2021

Chapter 2- Grief Must be Witnessed (pages 29-47)

Chapter 3- The Meaning of Death (pages 49-66)

 

4

10/6/2021

Chapter 4- The First Step in Finding Meaning (pages 67-81)

Chapter 5- The Decision (pages 83-96)

 

II. Challenges in Grief

5

10/13/2021

Chapter 6- Finding Meaning in Why (pages 99-111)

Chapter 7- Suicide (pages 113-127)

 

6

10/20/2021

Chapter 8- Complicated Relationships (pages 129-145)

Chapter 9- Child Loss (pages 147-158)

 

7

10/27/2021

Chapter 10- Miscarriage and Infant Loss (pages 159-169)

Chapter 11- Illnesses of Our Mind: Mental Illness and Addiction (pages 171-188)

III. Meaning

8

11/3/2021

Chapter 12- More Love Than Pain (pages 191-203)

 

9

11/10/2021

Chapter 13- Legacy (pages 205-218)

 

10

11/17/2021

Chapter 14- Grieving to Believing: The Afterlife (pages 219-229)

 

11

11/24/2021

Chapter 15- Everything Has Changed Forever (pages 231-249)

 

12

12/1/2021

Final Thoughts (pages 251-254)

 

Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church is a welcoming community that gives worship to God, receives wisdom from God, and works alongside God to move the city of Raleigh.