Notes from West Mountain (The Rev. Mark Diters)
The Distance of Grief
Last week we lost a beloved member of our congregation and our community. Karen Hollant’s death, though expected, leaves so many people deeply grieving, each in their own way. Our collective prayers for hope of cure and healing were never really given up, even as those prayers merged into those for comfort and a peaceful passing. It is the way with such things.
When whole communities grieve it can be a time of bonding and connection. The love and support already present can be strengthened through already close knit ties. On the other hand, profound grieving can create a distance between those who have suffered the loss. The deeply intimate and personal nature of grieving can isolate one from another.
A rule of thumb here is that those closest to the loss need and deserve the most care and consideration.* It is helpful to consider the distance one is from the epicenter of the loss. Spouses, children, parents, siblings, and loved ones usually are thought closest to the center. And then, depending upon one’s relationship with those in the center, there are concentric circles growing larger, emerging out of and away from the center. Comfort In—Grieve (dump) Out. Practicing this discipline allows each in their own way to have access to both expression of their grief and care for their own grieving.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
* A 2013 internet article by Susan Silk and Barry Goldman coined the term for this: “Ring Theory of Kvetching”.
YOGA ON THE LAWN
A yoga instructor is offering free yoga instruction on the church lawn Saturday’s from 9 – 10 a.m. Participants should bring a mat or towel, water, and wear comfortable clothing. (If it is raining, yoga will be held indoors, with masks, following social distancing guidelines.)
JUNE SECOND MILE OFFERING – SILVER LAKE CONFERENCE CENTER
The Silver Lake Conference Center was founded in 1957, the same year the United Church of Christ was formed. The Connecticut Conference of the UCC, then known as the Missionary Society of Connecticut, purchased the property in Sharon to be the summer camp site for the Connecticut churches.
Silver Lake hosts young people each summer to experience an inclusive and nurturing Christian community, to explore opportunities to grow and participate as Christ’s disciples, and to participate in modeling a sustainable environmental stewardship of God’s world. The summer program is open to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender Identification, or sexual orientation.
Many of the Flagg Road UCC youth have participated in the various summer programs at Silver Lake and Minister Diters has been a conference leader for many years.
Please consider making a contribution and continue Flagg Road UCC’s dedication to Silver Lake’s ministry.
VACCINE STATUS
As considerations are made for services going forward, will you email to let us know when you are 2 weeks out from your second Covid-19 vaccine? Thank you to those who have already done so.