For the past 15 years New Hope for Widow/ers has held an annual retreat to give support, encouragement and educational workshops to bereaved widows and widowers.
This year, the retreat will be held April 27 and 28 at Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist Church in Vernon.
Friday evening features a concert with artist Cathy Hardy and guest speaker Grace Wulff, founder of New Hope, who was widowed at the age of 37 and left to raise three children.
“Saturday will provide the opportunity for retreaters to individually share their personal story of loss in a small group setting, followed by the choice of three workshops,” said Karen Bouchard, with New Hope.
This year, New Hope offers the following workshop topics: Transitioning to Living Single, Hoping and Coping – Surviving the First Year, Christianity and the Griever, Financial and Estate Needs, Complicated Grief, and Experiencing Grief as a Man.
The day will include lunch and a candlelight ceremony of remembrance.
“A retreat such as this is a valuable time to gain knowledge and understanding of the grief process as well as a way to find encouragement and strength through common shared experiences,” said Bouchard. “A unique characteristic of New Hope is that, having experienced widowhood themselves, members are able to offer empathy and care to those who are mourning the loss of a spouse.”
The retreat is organized by the volunteer board of directors and other members who come alongside the newly bereaved as “companions,” while speakers and workshop leaders are experienced and knowledgeable in each of their particular topics.
As in the past several years, New Hope offers a children’s program to enable parents to attend and bring their children who are also grieving. This program, for children aged five to 10 years of age, is prepared and facilitated by a professional schoolteacher and counselor, who also experienced widowhood.
“It takes courage to attend a retreat for grievers, but the overwhelming response from those who come is warm and positive. The goal is to create a safe place to share, learn and connect with others who have also been widowed.”
Cost for the retreat is $60 if registered before April 1, $75 after April 1. Children are $35 for one and $20 for each additional child.
To register, phone the New Hope office at 250-545-6004 or e-mail new-hope@telus.net with your mailing address. You may learn more about New Hope on their website at www.newhope-grief.org or on their site for teens at www.newhope-grief.org/teengrief
