Upcoming Gatherings & Webinars
Mom's Gathering
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitator: Carol Brown
WEBINAR — Down the Road of Grief: Encouragement for Bereaved Parents
Throughout the first few years of grief, you may wonder if things will ever change. Will I always feel this level of pain and grief? Does “grief brain” ever go away? Will I always suffer from insomnia, PTSD, etc.?
In this webinar, bereaved parents who are many years down the road of loss will share helpful insights about the changes that take place through the years. We believe you’ll leave the webinar filled with encouragement and hope.
Presenters: Gary & Laura House, Brad & Jill Sullivan
Grandparent Gathering
Grandparents share a unique grief when losing a grandchild. Not only do they grieve the loss of the grandchild, but they also grieve for their own child’s devastating loss.
If you are a bereaved grandparent, we hope that this time together online will be encouraging, comforting, offer an opportunity to share about your grandchild and talk about the unique issues of grief that you are encountering. We hope you’ll make lasting connections with other grandparents and be filled with hope and comfort from the time together.
Facilitator: Kelly Brockman
Gathering for Suicide Loss
Losing a child by suicide presents some unique challenges in our grief, and being with others who are traveling the same journey is so helpful. We’ll share about our sweet children, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives.
We’ll start at 11:00 a.m. ET and end by 1:00 p.m.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child, and join us online for a special time together.
Facilitators: Josh & Nicole Kingsbury
WEBINAR — A Sibling's Grief
When a child dies, siblings are left to grieve, just as parents are. The loss is deep but often siblings are overlooked by those who try to bring comfort to the family. “How are your parents doing?” seems to be a common question asked of siblings, with the comforters not aware of the depth of pain the siblings are experiencing.
This webinar will be hosted by a panel of siblings, who share insights that will be helpful for bereaved parents as they navigate child loss while also trying to comfort their remaining children.
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads online for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only for two hours, but will be an enjoyable and useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that we encounter when losing our children.
Gathering for Parents - Addiction/Overdose
There are some unique aspects of grief associated with losing a child from a drug overdose. Spending time in community with others who have traveled this road can bring comfort and encouragement.
Bring a picture of your child to share if you’d like. We look forward to meeting you online soon!
Gathering for Parents - Terminal Illness and Special Needs
If you are a parent who walked with your child through a terminal illness, or if they had special needs that contributed to their passing, then this gathering will be an opportunity for community with others who have experienced the same. There are some uniquenesses to this type of loss, and it’s helpful to discuss those with parents who can relate.
Facilitator: Marlene Rohr, Gary & Laura House
WEBINAR — Finding Joy Amidst Grief
The grief of losing a child is staggering, and so many parents wonder if they’ll ever be able to experience joy again. The remarkable reality is that joy and grief can co-exist. The parents presenting this webinar will discuss this paradox and share from their own experience of child loss. We hope you’ll go away knowing that you can find joy, even in the middle of your grief.
Presenters: Gary & Laura House, Melanie DeSimone, Lisa Thacker, Bob & Sharon Glazebrook, Emily Matuza
Gathering for Bereaved Parents
We hope you will be encouraged as you connect online with others who are traveling the same journey, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives. Inevitably, we gather as strangers and part as new friends.
Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the time and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child to share, and join us for this special time.
Gathering for Parents with a Child Who was Stillborn
For many of us, we carry our sweet children until they are ready to be born, and then they are born into Heaven before being born still into our arms. If you have a child in Heaven who was stillborn, we invite you to this special gathering. There are some unique aspects of grief in this situation, and spending time with others who have had the same experience is comforting and encouraging.
If you have a picture of your child, please feel free to bring it to share.
Facilitators: Dave & Janet Boxx
Mom's Gathering
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitator: Carol Brown
WEBINAR — Terminal Illness, Anticipatory Grief, and Trusting God
For parents who have children in Heaven from a terminal illness or special needs that led to their passing, there are some unique difficulties to their grief journey. This webinar will offer a panel of bereaved parents who will share their own experiences and insights, as well as answer any questions that are submitted by participants. For those who have lost a child, this webinar will be an encouragement and the time spent with other bereaved parents will offer comfort and hope. And for those who have not experienced child loss, this webinar will be a source of insight to equip you to help others walking this difficult road.
Grandparent Gathering
Grandparents share a unique grief when losing a grandchild. Not only do they grieve the loss of the grandchild, but they also grieve for their own child’s devastating loss.
If you are a bereaved grandparent, we hope that this time together online will be encouraging, comforting, offer an opportunity to share about your grandchild and talk about the unique issues of grief that you are encountering. We hope you’ll make lasting connections with other grandparents and be filled with hope and comfort from the time together.
Facilitator: Kelly Brockman
Gathering for Suicide Loss
Losing a child by suicide presents some unique challenges in our grief, and being with others who are traveling the same journey is so helpful. We’ll share about our sweet children, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives.
We’ll start at 11:00 a.m. ET and end by 1:00 p.m.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child, and join us online for a special time together.
WEBINAR — Finding Purpose in Pain
If you’ve walked very far down the road of child loss, you have discovered that your suffering has changed you in many ways. Suffering can draw us closer to the Lord, and if we let Him, He will mold and shape us through our suffering. What then? God can use our pain to help others.
In this webinar, several bereaved parents will share the various ways that the Lord has used their pain and suffering for His glory. We hope that you’ll be encouraged as you consider the possibilities for your own life.
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads online for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only for two hours, but will be an enjoyable and useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that we encounter when losing our children.
WEBINAR — A Father's Grief
With Father’s Day approaching, this webinar will offer insights, community, and comfort to grieving fathers and grandfathers. Join a panel of bereaved fathers for this special evening webinar as the discussion focuses on issues that are unique to a dad’s grief journey. Submit any questions during registration that you would like to have addressed at the webinar.
Mom's Gathering
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitator: Carol Brown
Grandparent Gathering
Grandparents share a unique grief when losing a grandchild. Not only do they grieve the loss of the grandchild, but they also grieve for their own child’s devastating loss.
If you are a bereaved grandparent, we hope that this time together online will be encouraging, comforting, offer an opportunity to share about your grandchild and talk about the unique issues of grief that you are encountering. We hope you’ll make lasting connections with other grandparents and be filled with hope and comfort from the time together.
Facilitator: Kelly Brockman
Gathering for Suicide Loss
Losing a child by suicide presents some unique challenges in our grief, and being with others who are traveling the same journey is so helpful. We’ll share about our sweet children, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives.
We’ll start at 11:00 a.m. ET and end by 1:00 p.m.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child, and join us online for a special time together.
Facilitators: Josh & Nicole Kingsbury
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads online for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only for two hours, but will be an enjoyable and useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that we encounter when losing our children.
Gathering for Parents - Terminal Illness and Special Needs
If you are a parent who walked with your child through a terminal illness, or if they had special needs that contributed to their passing, then this gathering will be an opportunity for community with others who have experienced the same. There are some uniquenesses to this type of loss, and it’s helpful to discuss those with parents who can relate.
Facilitator: Marlene Rohr
Mom's Gathering
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitator: Carol Brown
Grandparent Gathering
Grandparents share a unique grief when losing a grandchild. Not only do they grieve the loss of the grandchild, but they also grieve for their own child’s devastating loss.
If you are a bereaved grandparent, we hope that this time together online will be encouraging, comforting, offer an opportunity to share about your grandchild and talk about the unique issues of grief that you are encountering. We hope you’ll make lasting connections with other grandparents and be filled with hope and comfort from the time together.
Facilitator: Kelly Brockman
Remembering Our Children During the Holidays
For grieving parents, holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas can be especially difficult. Join us for an encouraging time spent with other bereaved parents as we discuss strategies for navigating special days that may have an added level of grief. We’ll also be presenting a variety of ideas of how you can honor and remember your sweet child during the holidays.
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads online for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only for two hours, but will be an enjoyable and useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that we encounter when losing our children.
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads online for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only for two hours, but will be an enjoyable and useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that we encounter when losing our children.
Gathering for Bereaved Siblings
When a child dies, siblings are left to grieve, just as parents are. The loss is deep but often siblings are overlooked by those who try to bring comfort to the family. “How are your parents doing?” seems to be a common question asked of siblings, with the comforters not aware of the depth of pain the siblings are experiencing.
This gathering, led online by bereaved siblings, is simply a time to remember the sibling who has gone ahead, and to find community and comfort from others who are traveling the same road.
(For adult siblings- 18 or older)
Remembering Our Children During the Holidays (webinar)
For grieving parents, holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas can be especially difficult. Join us for an encouraging time spent with other bereaved parents as we discuss strategies for navigating special days that may have an added level of grief. We’ll also be presenting a variety of ideas of how you can honor and remember your sweet child during the holidays.
Gathering for Parents — Suicide Loss
Losing a child by suicide presents some unique challenges in our grief, and being with others who are traveling the same journey is so helpful. We’ll share about our sweet children, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives.
We’ll start at 11:00 a.m. ET and end by 1:00 p.m.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child, and join us online for a special time together.
Facilitated by Josh and Nicole Kingsbury
Gathering for Bereaved Moms
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Grandparent Gathering
Grandparents share a unique grief when losing a grandchild. Not only do they grieve the loss of the grandchild, but they also grieve for their own child’s devastating loss.
The time together online will be encouraging, comforting, and offer an opportunity to share about your grandchild and talk about the unique issues of grief that you are encountering. We hope you’ll make lasting connections with other grandparents and be filled with hope and comfort from the time together.
Gathering for Bereaved Parents
We hope you will be encouraged as you connect online with others who are traveling the same journey, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives. Inevitably, we gather as strangers and part as new friends.
Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the time and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child to share, and join us for this special time.
Gathering for Bereaved Parents — Richmond, VA
YOU ARE INVITED…
We invite you to join us in Richmond, Virginia for a special gathering for bereaved parents and grandparents. We hope you’ll be encouraged as you connect with others who are traveling the same journey, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives.
LOCATION: Salem Baptist Church, 465 Broad St Rd, Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103 (Richmond, Virginia Area)
SCHEDULE:
10:00 a.m.: Walking this Journey — This is a special time of sharing about our children and learning from each other. (If you would like to, feel free to bring a picture of your child in a frame. We will be displaying these on a table during our time together.)
Noon: Buffet Lunch — We’ll share a meal together and get to know others who are also navigating life after the loss of a child.
1:00 p.m.: Topic Board — This is an opportunity for everyone attending to discuss topics that are unique to the loss of a child. As a group, we’ll decide on the topics, then field questions and share ideas and resources.
2:30 p.m.: Dessert Bar and Coffee — Feel free to stay and visit as long as you wish!
(There is no cost to attend. Lunch will be provided.)
FACILITATORS: Jeff & Brianna Dickson; Gary & Laura House
Navigating Suicide Loss (webinar)
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 — 7:30-8:30 Eastern Time
Join a panel of parents who have lost a child by suicide for this special webinar. Submit questions when you register, or ask them in the chat box at the live event.
The panel will discuss many of the difficulties unique to suicide loss, and our hope is that parents and friends of bereaved parents will glean insights that they may not have considered before.
Enjoy community with others who are walking this road, and find encouragement and hope from our time together.
Parent’s Dinner
If you live near Lynchburg, Virginia, we hope you’ll consider joining us for fellowship and a Mexican dinner!
Where? Gary and Laura House’s house
When? Saturday, July 13, 2024; 4:00 - 6:00 pm Eastern Time
Bring a picture of your sweet child to share, and come enjoy the fellowship with other bereaved parents. It’s always amazing how comforting and encouraging it is to spend time together.
Gathering for Bereaved Moms
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitator: Carol Brown
Gathering for Parents — Addiction/Overdose Loss
There are some unique aspects of grief associated with losing a child from a drug overdose. Spending time in community with others who have traveled this road can bring comfort and encouragement.
Bring a picture of your child to share if you’d like. We look forward to meeting you online soon!
Biblical Lament: Walking the Road of Sorrow to the Throne of the King (webinar)
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.
Speaker: Jim Beardsley
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads online for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only for two hours, but will be an enjoyable and useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that we encounter when losing our children.
Gathering for Parents with a Child Who was Stillborn
For many of us, we carry our sweet children until they are ready to be born, and then they are born into Heaven before being born still into our arms. If you have a child in Heaven who was stillborn, we invite you to this special gathering. There are some unique aspects of grief in this situation, and spending time with others who have had the same experience is comforting and encouraging.
If you have a picture of your child, please feel free to bring it to share.
A Mother's Grief
Join us for this special conversation for mothers, as we discuss some of the unique challenges that are encountered by grieving moms. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, spending time with others will be encouraging and helpful, as we learn from each other and experience a special bond of community.
If you have a specific question or topic you would like discussed, feel free to submit that with your registration. You’ll also have the opportunity to share ideas and questions during the webinar.
We’ll meet via Zoom, and you can leave your camera or off, whichever you prefer.
Gathering for Parents with Multiple Loss
We hope you will be encouraged as you connect online with others who have also experienced the heartache of losing multiple children. We’ll learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends.
Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the time and experience comfort from being with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Gathering for Parents — Suicide Loss
Losing a child by suicide presents some unique challenges in our grief, and being with others who are traveling the same journey is so helpful. We’ll share about our sweet children, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives.
We’ll start at 11:00 a.m. ET and end by 1:00 p.m.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child, and join us online for a special time together.
Gathering for Bereaved Moms
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitator: Carol Brown
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only two hours, but is a useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that fathers encounter when losing a child.
Gathering for Bereaved Parents
We hope you will be encouraged as you connect online with others who are traveling the same journey, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives. Inevitably, we gather as strangers and part as new friends.
Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the time and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
So grab a cup of coffee and a picture of your child to share, and join us for this special time.
From Our Hearts to Yours (webinar)
Join the conversation as two veteran homeschool moms discuss child loss and how to help a grieving friend. If you are a bereaved mom, then we hope you’ll find comfort, community, and hope from this webinar. And if you haven’t experienced the loss of a child, we hope this webinar will help equip you with tools to be a blessing to those who are grieving.
Melanie DeSimone- blogger @thelifeididntchoose.com & Laura House- Our Hearts Are Home
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only for two hours, but will be an enjoyable and useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that we encounter when losing our children.
Gathering for Bereaved Moms
Join other moms online and experience the encouragement that comes from connecting with others who are also traveling this grief journey after saying goodbye to a precious child. We’ll spend our time together sharing about our children and learning from each other. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends. Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the morning and experience comfort from fellowshipping with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitator: Carol Brown
Gathering for Parents with Multiple Losses
We hope you will be encouraged as you connect online with others who have also experienced the heartache of losing multiple children. We’ll learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends.
Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the time and experience comfort from being with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Dad's Gathering
Join fellow bereaved dads, Gary House and Ernie Richards for a special time of fellowship. The meeting time is only two hours, but is a useful time together with other fathers who have children in Heaven.
We’ll get to know each other, talk about our kids, and discuss some of the questions that fathers encounter when losing a child.
The Grieving Husband & The Grieving Wife (webinar)
You may have heard it said that “husbands and wives often grieve differently.” And it’s true. This session will explore those differences and provide helpful insights into allowing our spouses to grieve in the way that they need to grieve. Be encouraged and strengthened in your relationship with your spouse as you better understand the unique challenges that the differences in grief brings for men and women.
Presenters: Brad & Jill Sullivan, Keith & Shawnda Freer
Navigating the Holidays (webinar)
For grieving parents, holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas can be especially difficult. Join us for an encouraging time as we discuss strategies for navigating special days that may have an added level of grief. (Do you have a question you’d like us to discuss at the webinar? Add it to the registration form for the panel to address.)
Presenters: Gary & Laura House; Melanie DeSimone; David & Janet Boxx; Emily Matuza
Gathering for Parents (Greenville, SC)
We hope you will be encouraged as you connect with others who are traveling the same journey, learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives.
10:00 a.m.: Walking this Journey — This is a special time of sharing about our children and learning from each other. (If you would like to, feel free to bring a picture of your child in a frame. We will be displaying these on a table during our time together.)
Noon: Buffet Lunch — We’ll share a meal together and get to know others who are also navigating life after the loss of a child.
1:00 p.m.: Topic Board — This is an opportunity for everyone attending to discuss topics that are unique to the loss of a child. As a group, we’ll decide on the topics, then field questions and share ideas and resources.
2:30 p.m.: Dessert Bar and Coffee — Feel free to stay and visit with others as long as you wish!
(There is no cost to attend. Lunch will be provided.)
Facilitators: Gary & Laura House; Bob & Sharon Glazebrook
Gathering for Parents with Multiple Child Losses
We hope you will be encouraged as you connect online with others who have also experienced the heartache of losing multiple children. We’ll learn from each other, discover helpful resources, and experience the comfort that Jesus gives. Inevitably, we gather as strangers but part as new friends.
Although our time together will be brief, we believe you’ll enjoy the time and experience comfort from being with others who are striving to trust Jesus in the midst of grief.
Facilitators: Don & Patsy Akin and David & Janet Boxx
“In our grief of losing a child, it is often hard to connect with others who could possibly understand the pain we feel. I found comfort meeting with this group of parents. As we shared about our children with laughter and tears and prayed together, I felt blessed to be there.”
— Caleb's Mom