A Heart Full of Questions: Finding Peace in the Journey of Grief — Jim Beardsley

The death of a child brings a flood of questions: Why did this happen? How could a loving God allow this? How can I go on? What did I do wrong? etc, etc. In this session we will attempt to address some of the major questions that accompany child loss, focusing on what the Bible says about the nature of God and our relationship to Him.

Broken Into Beautiful: Inviting Hope to Heal Our Hearts — Melanie DeSimone

Child loss is devastating. There is no other way to describe it. I was completely shattered. When my son was killed, I questioned everything I thought I knew and understood about who God is and how He works in the world. Darkness threatened to undo me. But no matter how black the night, the Light of the truth of Christ refused to be quenched. Hope peeked out from behind the shadows and beckoned my heart to invite Him in. Over time, little by little, I was able to do just that. The Lord met me where I was, His Word helped me gain eternal perspective, I began to see how my story was part of the grander story He was writing for all time and Holy Spirit infused my inner being with strength to persevere. Hope isn’t a feeling, it’s a Person. Hope is Jesus. And when we choose to focus our attention on Him, open the door and invite Him into our broken places, He can turn even the terrible brokenness of child loss into a beautiful testimony of His faithful love, sustaining grace and healing power.

Barely Hanging On to the One Who Won’t Let Go  — Leonard and Amy Bailey

Where are you God?  Why have you turned away from me? This can’t be happening. These are common cries that arise out of the depths of suffering.  We will explore what faith looks like when it has been worn threadbare.  When life has been forever altered and your understanding of God’s love is shaken, where can you go for comfort, especially when there are no answers?

Finding Joy in the Midst of the Storm — Scott & Cindy Shufflebarger

While grief is messy, exhausting and disorienting, it is possible to find joy in the midst of the journey.  Scott and Cindy share their story and practical ways that they’ve found meaning and the courage to live a life full of color again.

God’s Faithfulness Through the Journey of Grief — Billy and Julie Melton

Billy and Julie Melton share the story of their deepest loss, their beloved daughter, Juliana, who went to heaven at age 27. Together they trusted Jesus through a brain tumor diagnosis and subsequent sixteen months of treatment. The Lord has sustained them through every step of their journey. The Melton’s offer insights that helped them navigate grief, trusting God with joyful hope, living in light of eternity. 

Grief and Secondary Losses — Jim & Lawrie Beardsley

The death of a child generates a myriad of “secondary losses”. Friendships change. Family dynamics, identities, and expectations are transformed forever. Our ability to engage socially is altered. These secondary losses compound the agony of losing a child. In this session we will discuss practical ways to address some of the common secondary losses that accompany the death of a child.

The Dance of Grief and Joy — Jeff and Briana Dickson

Observing your children’s milestones (a first day of school, loss of a tooth, learning to ride a bike, etc.) and entertaining familiar questions (How many children do you have?) are often occasions of joy or proud moments. However, losing a child makes witnessing these milestones in the lives of your other children more complicated and answering theses questions awkward or even painful. Life after loss is, in many ways, a dance between grief and joy. In this session, Jeff and Brianna Dickson will share from their own experience, ideas of how to navigate these and other issues.

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. 

The Traumatic Effects of Grief — Kelly Brockman & Erin Ketchen

Trauma can be described as the physical and mental effects left on an individual from either one single event or a series of negative events . Trauma affects our entire being; emotional, relational, biological, spiritual and can alter our perspective on God, ourselves, and the world around us. God created us with emotions and feelings and it’s important to recognize that traumatic experiences can leave us confused and misunderstood. Grieving a loss is traumatic. We will look into how the Autonomic Nervous System is impacted by a traumatic event.

When It's Just Us: Hope After the Loss of an Only Child — Blake and Jennifer Mullinax

Navigating life after the devastating loss of an only child is an unfathomably difficult journey no parent ever wishes to take. This session provides a supportive space for parents who find themselves on this path, focusing on the unique struggles and emotions faced in such circumstances. Together, we will explore ways to honor and cherish memories, seek support and solace in community, and find pathways to healing and hope. Through shared stories, compassionate dialogue, and gentle guidance, participants are encouraged to acknowledge their grief, honor their child’s legacy, and explore the resilience within. Join us for an opportunity to connect with others who truly understand, amidst a compassionate and healing environment.

The Faithfulness of God in Suffering — Brad & Jill Sullivan

While walking the painful road of terminal cancer with their daughter, Hannah, the Sullivans were thrust into a world of suffering that they had not experienced before. When Hannah went to Heaven in 2009, Brad and Jill were faced with the deepest grief a parent can know. Yet through the difficult journey, they found that the Lord was with them every step of the way. In December of 2023, Brad was in a devastating ATV accident which should have ended his life. And again, they saw the Lord’s comfort, care, and love through the journey of suffering. Whether you are mourning the loss of a child, or experiencing other suffering, you will find new discoveries and insights about God’s faithfulness and His love for you.

Beneficial Theology for the Bereaved — Ernie & Karen Richards

The loss of a child should be an open door for GOD to speak to us in our pain. But people “preaching” to us in our grief can be like sandpaper on open wounds. Sadly, “theology” has become a bad word for too many bereaved parents. But there is a vast difference between good theology and bad, and right and timely application and MIS-application that lacks sensitivity and compassion. This workshop will explore why the appropriate use of true, healthy theology is crucial to our faith and to real healing.

Crushing and Mending

The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the broken bits with golden lacquer is termed Kintsugi. The object is then regarded as more exquisite than it was before the break, more beautiful and more valuable. Child loss, like kintsugi, seems to highlight the broken pieces and scars. In this breakout session you will crush then mend a ceramic heart ornament, and together, we’ll discuss the symbolism in the crushing and the skillful mending at the hands of the Great Potter. (The ornaments will be provided for those attending in person.)

Where Do We Go From Here? — Brad & Jill Sullivan, Gary & Laura House

After two days of experiencing the amazing comfort found in the community of bereaved parents, learning from each other, and finding help and hope for the grief journey, where do we go from here? This session will explore the truths that we know to be absolutes to guide and direct our paths, as we all continue to walk this difficult road. We hope you will leave this place encouraged, equipped, and with a deeper understanding of the Lord.

Navigating Suicide Loss — Gary & Laura House, Jim & Lawrie Beardsley, Blake & Jennifer Mullinax, Ernie & Karen Richards

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. If you are a grieving parent, we hope this workshop will bring comfort and hope. If you have not lost a child by suicide, then we hope the time together will help you better understand and equip you to help a grieving parent.

Roundtable Discussion for Dads — Panel

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 — Panel

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.