By Kendra Flory
The November offering from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College will be “Understanding Your Grief to Find Hope and Healing” to be presented by Chris Whitacre and Kathy Reid. The course will be held online in two sessions, Tuesdays, Nov. 19 and 26, both at 7-8:30 p.m. (central time).
We all have experienced loss in varying degrees. How do we define or understand loss? How do we feel about loss? What do we believe about loss? What do we believe about death and dying? How do we manage loss if we manage it at all? This course will attempt to open doors to new learning and reflection about loss within our lives. The book Understanding Your Grief, second edition, by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, will be referenced. Companioning will be explored as a model for grief care. The “Six Needs of Mourners” will be highlighted.
Chris Whitacre has served as chaplain at the Cedars Retirement Community for the past 18 years. As a volunteer he has worked with hospice and death and dying workshops, and he has led and co-led bereavement groups for 15 years. Over a three-year period, he received bereavement training from Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Center for Loss and Life Transition, in Fort Collins, Colo. He is a graduate of McPherson College and Bethany Theological Seminary.
Kathy Reid is an ordained minister in both the Church of the Brethren and the Mennonite Church USA. She has served in a variety of executive leadership roles, including as executive director of the Association of Brethren Caregivers and as executive director of the Family Abuse Center in Texas. She has been retired for three years and is now serving in interim executive director positions at several nonprofit organizations.
Continuing education credit is available for $10. During the registration process, you will have the opportunity to pay for CEUs and give an optional donation to the Ventures program. Go to www.mcpherson.edu/ventures.
— Kendra Flory is advancement assistant at McPherson (Kan.) College.
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