Welcomes

Psalm 23 Groups site

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Agenda for 2.20.23

*Remembrance candle *Anchor Scripture *Mission Statement *Scripture Connections * Grief strategies *Sharing of Stories *Prayer Support *Anchor Prayer *Resources *Next meeting

Remembrance Candle

The Remembrance Candle burns in memory of our beloved children and loved ones throughout our meeting.

Mission: Our mission is to use Scripture, Grief education, prayer, and each other, to navigate the grief of losing a child and/or loved one.

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NOTE: This Grief Group is not meant to take the place of professional grief counseling. Please seek professional help if your grief becomes overwhelming at any point.

Anchor Scripture

What part of Psalm 23 resonates with you the most?

Prior Scripture Connections

Does God speak to you through any of these scriptures?

Prior Scripture Connections

Matthew 11: 28-29 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

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Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart , o God; and renew a right spirit within me.

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Psalm 103:2 Let all that I am praise the Lord: never forgetting all the good things He’s done for me

Do you get a physical response in your body when you read/hear these scriptures? If so, can you pinpoint that response?

Prior Scripture Connections

Do any of these scriptures stir up emotions in you?

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If so, can you label them?

Prior Scriptures

What does a broken heart or crushed spirit feel like in you?

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Can you think of some ways that God has helped you heal so far in your grief?

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Grief Strategy #14

Befriending

To share your response, please unmute or type it into the chat

February Scripture

Grief Strategy #1

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Schedule yourself a 1, 5, 10, 15, 30 or 60 minute break from grief as often as you need it.

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OR schedule a time to grieve during which you can feel free to do so comfortably.

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Manage your grief so that your grief doesn’t manage you

Grief Strategy #2

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Grief - Leaf (Release Strategy)

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Use a leaf to “release” a small part of your grief. This can also be used to release anger, guilt or ?

Grief Strategy #3

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Gratitude for the time we had with our child or loved one.

Grief Strategy #4

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Capturing our grief in 6 words

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Click image to access website to see examples

Grief Strategy #5

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Understanding the difference between grief reactions and grief responses

Grief Strategy #6

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Praising God, keeping child-like faith, even in our darkest moments.

Grief Strategy #7

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Show yourself kindness and compassion as you continue to move forward and backward through the stages of grief.

Click image to view website/resource

Grief Strategy #8

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Approach your emotions with curiosity, not judgement. Allow your emotions to inform and guide you in healthy way. Treat them as you would a friend.

Click image to view Emotion Wheel

Grief Strategy #9

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Replace toxic thoughts with scripture.

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Example:

Toxic thought: “God chose not to heal Adam because I didn’t pray often enough or sincerely enough.”

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Scripture to replace:

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Realization: God did heal my Adam, just different from what I envisioned. He no longer has cancer, pain or suffering in Heaven

Click image to access resource

Grief Strategy #10

Shine a light on each of the 3 reasons we may want to linger in the shadow of the valley of death by sitting with them, welcoming them and allowing yourself to listen/learn from them. Remember to have compassion for yourself in this process, avoiding any criticism or judgement.

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1. We may feel undeserving of healing or happiness due to traumatic events in our lives. (loss of our child)
2. We may become attached to the sympathetic identity we garner from our journey in the valley.
3. We may mistakenly believe that the love we feel for our child is reaffirmed again and again by our dwelling in sadness. We may feel afraid that we will lose the memory of our loved one, or the loyalty we have for them, if we move on with our lives.

Click HERE to access resource

Awareness of our own “patterns” that might be holding us back in our grief walks

Grief Strategy #11

Understanding our grief, and the emotions and physical implications of grief can give us comfort. Learning about our individual grief experience can help us process and navigate with a stronger sense of purpose.

Let’s try to identify the types of grief we are experiencing.

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Click image to access the resource.

Grief Strategy #12

Practicing Remembrance & Gratitude in Grief

Remembrance Rocks

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Remembrance Rocks can be kept in a memory box, placed on the gravesite (if allowed) or in a garden/place that you are able to visit.

Grief Strategy #13

Grieving during the Holidays

Holiday Bill of Rights

Helps to outline the specific ways to be compassionate/non-judgmental to yourself

Click image to access resource

Review for 3 minutes. Type the right that you could use in the chat

Grief Strategy #14

Befriending your grief during the holidays

1. Recognize it. What does your grief feel like in your body (“heavy” feeling in chest, shallow breathing, increased heart rate, onset of crying, neck/shoulder pain, overall feeling of tired, jittery?)
2. Label it. What emotions are attached to it? (deep sadness, overwhelming anger, bitterness, resentment, panic, depression, all of the above or ? Not sure?) Use the Emotions Wheel
3. Befriend it. Not only allow your grief, but welcome it. Invite it in further. Get to know it. Personify it. Your grief is meant to help you process the devastating loss you’ve experienced. Befriend it instead of suppressing, ignoring or pushing it away. If your grief could speak, what would it say to you?
4. Share it. Break the chain of silence and talk about your grief with anyone who will listen and support. Let others know what your grief feels like, both physically and emotionally. Talk about the fact that grief during the holidays is extra painful and any support is helpful
5. Support it. Find as many supports as you can. You’ve already found this grief group and God, but you many need more. The resource link above offers additional support options.

← Click image to access resource

Grief Strategy #15 - ??????

What grief strategy works for you?

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Jamboard link

*Sharing of our children’s or loved one’s stories:

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• Birth/ angel dates
• Cause of death
• Their Legacy
• Their Journey
• Anything else you’d like to share

*Sharing is optional, not a requirement. Simply say “not ready yet” or “not today” if you prefer not to share at this time

Prayers (live) and previous Prayer requests

“Father, we lift these names before you for the comfort, strength and peace that can only come from You.”

Prayers (live) and previous Prayer requests

“Father, we lift these names before you for the comfort, strength and peace that can only come from You.”

Anchor Prayer

Closing Prayer

Dear God,

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Thank you for bringing us together. Thank you for providing us with the strength to navigate our devastating losses and our grief journeys. Help us to accept the things we do not understand and can’t change. Help us to receive the peace that can only come from You.

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In Jesus name,

Amen

Additional Scriptures: (contributions welcome/encouraged)

Grief Strategies: (contributions welcome/encouraged)

Grief Resources: (contributions welcome/encouraged)

Thank you for attending

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Next meeting:

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Sunday, March 12, 2023

9AM - 10AM on Zoom and in person at St. Lukes Lutheran Church

17740 Muncaster Road, Derwood, Maryland 20855

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Website:

www.psalm23groups.org

Email: laura@psalm23groups.org