Observing Grief

Grief is a large and lonely experience. 

It is standing at the edge of life, wondering why you feel eviscerated—marveling that so many people can just walk down the aisle of the grocery store without weeping or get out of bed without an excruciating inner argument or see tomorrow with any degree of hope.

Observing Grief gives those struggling with grief and loss a nurturing place of rest.

 

Tentative Schedule for Observing Grief:

Friday

3:00 PM Prayer

4:00 PM Welcome and Gathering

5:00 PM Introduction to Writing Practice and gentle storytelling

6:00 PM Prayer

7:00 PM Dinner

8:00 PM Introduction to Spiritual Practices

9:00 PM Prayer

Saturday

8:00 AM Breakfast

9:00 AM Prayer

10:00 AM Guided Writing Practice

11:00 AM Spiritual Practice centered on body movements

12:00 PM Prayerful Lunch

1:00 PM Read, Write, Sit

2:00 PM Communal Creative Practice

3:00 PM Prayer and Release

Praying the Hours

Observing Grief is a liturgical space intended to allow the grieving person to find a pace to encounter, process, and honor the grief they carry. It is structured around the prayers of the Daily Office. Participants will gather at 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 9:00 pm, close for the evening, then resume with 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and close with 3:00 prayer.

Spiritual Practice

Observing Grief uses a multifaceted approach to spiritual practice. Writing Practice anchors the practice periods with prompted writing periods interspersed with silence, readings, and embodied practices. Participants will be provided with a variety of options for encountering and processing grief in a safe, nurturing, un-invasive environment.

Finding Support

Throughout Observing Grief, participants will be given the opportunity to connect with others navigating the difficult road of grief and loss. People from all walks of grief are invited to share meals, stories, and grief with each other. While no one will be forced to share, through story telling, participants will learn that they are not alone.

Who would benefit from Observing Grief?

Those struggling with:

 

  • Loss

  • Divorce

  • Illness

  • Failure

  • Loss of employment

  • Loss of housing

  • Transition

  • Caregiving

  • Financial stress

  • Parenting

  • Disappointment

If this is you, or someone you love, please join us for 24 hours of prayer, spiritual practice, and community finding.

Observing Grief will be hosted by Haw Creek Commons:

315 Old Haw Creek Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805