Child Loss 101 — Panel

This session explores the difficult truths and realities of child loss including the following: what to expect on the grief journey; practical ways to help grief; why does God allow pain and suffering; dealing with negative emotions; guarding our vulnerable hearts from New Age thinking; navigating changes in relationships; mental and physical health, and more. The panel of bereaved parents offers helpful insights and shares the hope they have found in Christ, while walking through the painful journey of losing a child.

Experiencing Joy, Sadness, and Hope, All At the Same Time — Jim Beardsley

As parents who have experienced the death of a child, we are acutely aware of the pain and sadness that can be part of the human experience. But where does joy fit in? What about hope? Are all these emotions compatible? In this session, we will explore how to live as real people, in the real world, with our real emotions, walking with the real God.

Lightening the Load- Carol Brown

As we travel down the road of grief, we are loaded down with grief, sorrow, and pain. The “backpack” we carry on this difficult journey becomes unbearably heavy at times. Sometimes we pick up things along the way that tend to weigh us down even more and might very well stop us in our tracks. How might we replace the “rocks” with “feathers” that will help lighten the load and keep walking to the journey’s end?

Finding Your GodPrints: Mapping the Fingerprints of God Through Your Story — Jenny Leavitt

In this Interactive session, parents will have the opportunity to create and explore a timeline where they can identify God's presence across major life moments — even the hard ones, that they’ve experienced. 

The Grief Journey: Pitfalls and Opportunities — Hal & Elizabeth Barge

No one chooses to walk the journey of grief. But when we find ourselves on it, we discover there are both pitfalls and opportunities. We will discuss how to avoid the dangers and how to find the blessings along the way. 

Hoping in the Waiting — Josh & Nicole Kingsbury

We're all waiting- waiting to see our children again, waiting for Jesus to return or for some purpose in our pain. There is surprising comfort in trusting God while we're waiting. Join us to discover how prevalent waiting is in the Bible and to discover some ways that we can  intentionally, patiently and collectively wait. 

Considering the Psalms — Karen McGrath

In this workshop we will explore many ways Psalms can be used to encourage our bereaved hearts during all seasons of life. A copy of the Psalms will be provided to participants.

Heaven: It’s Reality … It’s Hope — Rob & Pam Stalets

If you would’ve asked us before our son left this earth if we believed in Heaven, we would’ve said, “Sure we do. We’re Christians.” When Robbie left this earth, we realized that when your child goes to a place you have never been, you want and need to know all you can about where they are and what that place is like. We then began a quest to know more about what God’s word says about this place called Heaven. It’s common knowledge why we need to be saved, but how much do you know about what we are saved to? The end game is eternal life in the kingdom of God. In this workshop we will reveal what we have discovered in God’s Word about Heaven and why Heaven is our hope.

Understanding the Grieving Brain – Laura Holmes, LPC, CCTP

In this session, Laura Holmes, a grieving mother, who is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional will explore what grief is and what it looks like to the individual experiencing it. We will explore the reasons why individuals grieve differently and the vulnerabilities that may lead to complicated grief or prolonged grief disorder. We will also discuss the neuroscience of how the brain processes and adapts to the intense emotions that surface during the grieving process.

My Messy Grief — Cindy Shufflebarger

We have all experienced the erratic emotions, deeply felt pain, brain fog, and so much more that accompanies grief. It's messy. In this interactive session, we'll explore the realities of grief and share strategies to help navigate the journey. The book, My Messy Grief, will be provided. 

Moving Forward with Hope — Gary & Laura House

After a weekend filled with encouragement amid the community of other bereaved parents, we head back to “normal” life and routines. This session offers resources and guidance to help us rejoin the daily schedules of life, while carrying a renewed resolve to draw near to the Lord.

Roundtable Discussion for Dads — Bob Glazebrook

This interactive session will address topics and questions unique to a father’s grief. In addition to the questions submitted by attendees at registration, and the questions posed during the workshop, the panel will share their own experiences regarding difficult issues they have faced in the grieving process.

Roundtable Discussion for Moms — Sharon Glazebrook

This interactive session will address topics and questions unique to a mother’s mourning. In addition to the questions submitted by attendees at registration, and the questions posed during the workshop, the panel will share their own experiences regarding difficult issues they have faced in the grieving process.

Navigating Suicide Loss — Blake & Jennifer Mullinax, Hal & Elizabeth Barge, Gary & Laura House, Ernie & Karen Richards, Scott & Rachel Beasley, Greg & Cathy Buffkin, Todd & Melissa Shaffer, Jim & Lawrie Beardsley

There are many common misconceptions regarding suicide that effect the grieving process for parents who have lost children. Losing a child by suicide presents some unique circumstances and challenges. In this workshop, we’ll discuss some of the misconceptions surrounding suicide loss and provide strategies and resources that offer encouragement and hope.

Staying Married through the Unimaginable — Chuck & Laura Holmes

The loss of a child is devastating and can shift the foundation of the family forever. It affects everything in that parent’s life. The feelings associated with grief from the death of a child will remain longer than any other death. In his book, Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member, H. Norman Wright states “It is estimated that 90 percent of all couples who lost a child face some kind of marital struggle within the first year after the death.” In this session, Chuck & Laura openly share how their individual struggles through the loss of their youngest son Jamie took a toll on their marriage and how they learned how to grieve together and rebuild their relationship after such significant loss.

Beauty for Ashes: A Journey of Healing & Remembrance — Tom & Heather Snyir

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” — Isaiah 61:3 (KJV) Heather and Tom will share how Isaiah 61:3 became more than words on a page after their loss of Katie Rae. It became a quiet promise — that ashes are not the end of the story, that our mourning is seen and cared for, and that a new covering of strength can settle softly over our spirits. This interactive session offers an opportunity to share, to remember, and to sense — even gently — that beauty can rise, healing can begin, and you do not walk this path alone.

How Nutrition Can Help Heal the Body After Loss — Christina LaFleur & Cindy Shufflebarger

Grief impacts every part of us — body, mind, and spirit. In this session, we will explore how certain foods and nutrients can help calm the nervous system, support emotional resilience, and restore energy during times of deep sorrow. Enjoy an opportunity to ask questions regarding your specific needs. Christina and Cindy are Registered Dieticians, as well as bereaved mothers, integrating their clinical and personal experiences into what they share.

Memorial Crafts

Throughout the conference, a craft room will be open for those who want to create something in memory of their child. A variety of options are available such as ceramic plates, rock painting, wood crafts, ornaments, magnets, coasters, bookmarks, acrylic painting on a canvas, etc.