The holidays can be an especially challenging time for people experiencing grief—whatever the source. Our grief can stem from the death of a person or a beloved pet, loss of our independence, our housing, or a job, or sorrow for our planet. Whatever the root of your grief, know that we all occasionally experience sadness for the loss of what was and what could have been. The grief does not need to be recent; some losses we feel for years, or even a lifetime.

This time of year we are barraged with messages of happiness and joy, which can be challenging and isolating for many of us, especially when we may be grieving. For the past several years we have not been able to be together at memorials or other community acknowledgments of sorrow, and we believe that a healthy community needs the opportunity to share sadness as well as joy, particularly at this time of year.

Making room for grief during the holidays is okay! That’s why the Dying Matters Guild and QUUF are partnering to present “Honoring Grief, Healing Community” at 5pm on December 20. We would like to gather as a community to acknowledge this very human feeling/experience. By coming together and contemplating the richness of our experience in love and loss, we know we are not the only one experiencing these feelings, and perhaps can gently heal a bit.

We will provide a space to gather, acknowledge our grief, and sit in silence. The Threshold Choir will sing, there will be some short poems/readings, and we will read aloud a list of names of those we are missing. There will be an opportunity to light a candle and/or add your written grief to a collective expression if you wish. If you would like to have a name or names read aloud, please email them to Cristina Manzoni.

The QUUF Pastoral Care Team will host a reception following the brief gathering, allowing time for conversation and community. This event is free, non-denominational, and open to all. Masks are required. Please help spread the word, and consider reaching out to someone who may be in need of this event, or offer to bring someone who may not be comfortable driving after dark.

Whatever the emotions you may be experiencing this time of year, may you find comfort knowing you are not alone!