Grief counselor to share her views on loss, encourages others to embrace sorrow
Daily life is full of the walking wounded — those who constantly carry the burden of unspoken grief — pain over the loss of beloved people, pets, jobs, identities and lifestyles.
Life is hard. Grief is painful. And much of the time, the two exist on separate planes — the grieving in a lonely world all their own.
This community is no exception, and in the midst of an ailing economy, has its own members who are suffering and grieving from severe personal losses beyond the struggles of daily life.
In light of this acknowledgement, the Rev. Sue Hamly of Faith United Church of Christ asked psychotherapist Karen Warren-Severson to present a workshop on grief, a topic that the counselor has extensively researched with discoveries that she has woven into her own experiences.
Warren-Severson will present “Embracing Loss: a Lifelong Healing Journey," a workshop for the public, from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at Faith United. There is a $10 charge for what she said may also be termed an “exploration.”
Faith United has had a number of losses strung together and Hamly wanted to offer something to her parishioners, as well as to the community, according to Warren-Severson. “Her sense is that loss is all about us these days and needs addressing,” said the therapist. The two women welcome other church leaders to invite their parishioners, as well as all those who are grieving in the community.
Warren-Severson plans to offer her perspective on loss and grief, as well as encourage group sharing to aid in the healing that can occur when loss is acknowledged.
The following is an excerpt from an article about grief in today’s society, written by Warren-Severson:
“What if we embraced loss in a lifelong healing journey toward wholeness? What if from childhood we were taught and encouraged — in our homes, our extended families, our schools, our churches — to explore life's varied losses in a manner that would be more about embracing than bracing against ... more about courageous companionship than fearful endurance ... more about joyful memory than heavy remorse ... more about discovering and reaping than suppressing and burying?
“How might this shift be a source of healing as it ripples out into the larger world?"
Participants at the Faith United presentation will be invited, at their comfort level, to explore and share their experiences with loss, said Warren-Severson.
If you go:
WHAT: “Embracing Loss: a Lifelong Healing Journey,” presented by Karen Warren-Severson
Fee: $10
WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: Faith United Church of Christ, 1001 Fifth Street in the Falls
WHY: To help with the pain of sorrow, by embracing the grief that is inherent with any type of loss, including the death of a loved one.
