General Sessions

What, Exactly IS Grief Work? (Melanie DeSimone)

We hear the term bandied about and while it means different things to different people, Melanie uses the phrase to encompass the mental, physical, psychological, emotional and relational work a grieving heart must do in order to process and learn to carry sorrow and missing. While she doesn't pretend to be an expert (except on her own experience) she has a lot to say about what has helped, what has hurt and what she has learned over the more than nine years since Dominic left. Grief IS work. It is important, necessary and exhausting WORK. It requires time, resources, effort and energy and cannot be hurried along. But it is the only way a heart can begin to put the pieces back together.

Rejoicing, Even in This (Dr. Jeff Dickson)

The goodness of God is perhaps nowhere more in question than in situations of unexpected loss—especially when this loss is of your happy and healthy 6-month-old son. This session examines the reality of loss against the backdrop of those things that can never be taken from those who are in Christ. Dr. Jeff Dickson will share how God used 1 Peter 1:3-6 in the life of his family after the death of his son to demonstrate that the acute struggle does not have to lead down the path of disillusionment, but can actually reinforce those unchanging truths of God's Word that help believers persevere even the worst kinds of loss.

Biblical Lament: Walking the Road of Sorrow to the Throne of the King  (Jim Beardsley)

This world is a wounded and broken place. If you have lost a child, you know this reality better than most. What do we do with the pain, confusion, and sorrow that accompanies such a tragic event? God calls us to face our feelings honestly and cry out to Him in lament. Lament is a refusal to spiritualize, explain away, ignore, or deny the depth and truth of suffering in this world and in our own experience. Instead, lament gives honest expression to our grief and confusion and allows God to change us from the inside out and draw us to a deeper intimacy with Himself.

Where Do We Go From Here?

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.

Breakout Sessions

Forgiveness Doesn't Change the Past, But Holds the Power to Change the Future (Lisa Thacker)

Do you find yourself facing the staggering reality of trying to forgive an individual who was responsible for your child’s death? Or maybe a choice your child made resulted in their death and you find yourself angry at him/her. Perhaps you feel guilt and regret over something you did or didn’t do and need self-forgiveness. Are there friends or family members who have hurt you in your grief causing you additional heartache? Join Lisa as she shares about the additional and daunting layer of the need to forgive, with insights gleaned from the loss of her son. Forgiveness isn’t possible if relying solely on our human capacity. It’s vital to partner with God and allow Him to transform us. Without forgiveness, our hearts will miss the beautiful healing that God longs to perform in our aching souls.

Lessons from Psalm 23 (Dr. Gary & Laura House)

After their son, Nathan, went to Heaven, Psalm 23 took on new meaning for Gary and Laura, when reading the text through the lens of suffering. This breakout session will walk through this amazing Psalm that can provide comfort for our pain, instructions for daily living, and hope for the future.

Healing After Child Loss (Carol Brown)

Carol has a passion for sharing the hope of healing after the worst loss imaginable. She firmly believes that Jesus’s promise of abundant life is still valid, and that bereaved parents can live with purpose, intentionality, and even joy, as they walk the journey of grief. But there can be roadblocks in the form of negative and destructive emotions than can impede the way to healing. This session will help parents identify and hopefully triumph over them.

The Dance of Grief and Joy (Dr. Jeff and Brianna 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 these 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.

Grieving the Loss of a Sibling (Melanie DeSimone)

If you are a bereaved parent, you may have questions about how to help your other children as they grieve. Friends and family may also wonder what they can do to bring comfort and hope to those who are grieving the loss of a sibling. This session will offer insights into the realities of sibling loss and practical ideas for what is useful to them as they navigate their deep loss.

Navigating Suicide Loss (Panel - Hal & Elizabeth Barge, Jim Beardsley, Ernie & Karen Richards, Kirk & Lisa Thacker)

When a parent loses a child by suicide, some unique challenges are added to the grieving process. In this workshop, the panel of parents who have experienced suicide loss will address questions submitted by participants, and discuss topics of importance to parents who have also experienced suicide loss.

Suffering upon Grief, “How long O Lord…” (Bob & Sharon Glazebrook)

In this session, Bob and Sharon Glazebrook share their story of a devastating estrangement from one of their daughters, followed by the loss of another daughter, Rachel Ruth. Rachel was a college softball coach, and unexpectedly, went to sleep one night and awoke in Heaven. Through the painful journey of loss and the difficult task of learning how to live again, they have found the Lord to be faithful to fulfill every promise He has made in His Word. In our earthly lives, there will be continued brokenness. How do we continue grieving and living with the added weight of additional sufferings? You will hear how they are seeing God work in their grieving and ongoing suffering. 

Helping Others Help (Dr. Gary & Laura House)

Parents walking the road of child loss need those around them to step up and help. But understandably, those who haven’t experienced the death of a child, don’t know what to say and do. They can’t know. As the body of Christ, we want to surround our hurting brothers and sisters and bring comfort. What helps at a time like this? If you are a grieving parent, then this session will offer practical ways to communicate what you need to those around you who want to be a blessing. For those who have not lost a child, the session will help equip you to effectively minister to those who have.

God's Faithfulness Through the Journey of Grief (Billy & 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 to help navigate grief, trust God with joyful hope, and live in light of eternity.

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 mother’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. 

Memorial Ornament Crafting Session (Melanie DeSimone)

This session is a bit unique in that it offers an opportunity to create an ornament with your child’s picture. If you are a hands-on person and would like to create something special to take home from the conference, while enjoying conversation with others, then this workshop might be a good fit for you.