We are pleased to offer an Epiphany Contemplative Grief Retreat.   This retreat will meet at The Center for Contemplative Living in Denver on January 6 and on January 7^th.  With the help of the Divine Spirit, we will begin a process of reconciling our losses and finding new meaning in life and living.

We are living in times of great changes and upheaval.  All of us are feeling these effects, but no one more than those of us who have lost loved ones during this time.  A Grief Support Group is a way for us to grieve together and learn about and experience the process of mourning in a  contemplative way.  We hope to counter the sense of isolation that many of us are experiencing in our lives right now.  Providing emotional, spiritual, and cognitive support will be our focus; allowing participants to co-lead with us as we explore grief in a way that builds compassion with ourselves and with others.   We will offer opportunities to learn new ways of approaching problems and helping build trust in other people in what may feel like an unsafe and uncaring world. 
 

This is not intended to be a “therapy” group, but a way of tapping into both the spiritual and universal part of us that is affected so deeply by the loss of loved ones.  Facilitators will be “companioning” mourners along their path.  

We will be using the following  books,

• Understanding Your Grief, by Dr Alan Wolfelt, and
• Jan Richardson’s, ”A Path Called Solace: A Retreat for Women’s Christmas". 

Most importantly, we will be sharing our stories, along with poetry, music, meditations and prayer time. 

The Epiphany Contemplative Grief Retreat will be limited to 15 participants, in order to have an intimate and safe space.  The retreat is open to anyone interested, men or women.  We ask that you have experienced the loss of a loved one in the past 5 years. Our time together will include lunch on Saturday, and snacks at other times.  If desired, we can continue meeting once a month after the retreat. 

About the Facilitators:

Kit Snyder has led many grief support groups over the past five years. She studied with Dr. Alan Wolfelt and received a Certificate of Competency for Presenting of Grief Support Groups from his Center for Loss in Fort Collins, CO. Kit is an Episcopal Deacon and works with both Contemplative Outreach of Colorado and St Laurence Episcopal Church in Conifer, Colorado.

Lori Banks has been leading Grief Support Groups with Kit for five years. Lori is a certified Spiritual Director who studied at Benet Hill Monastery, where she is also an Oblate.