This retreat will deal with losses in the broadest sense and will not be limited to grief experiences resulting from the death of friends or loved ones.   Our dreams die whenever we are forced to deal with changes and disruptions in our preconceived personal realities.  We will address the spiritual, emotional and psychological issues that arise when we are faced with serious illness, injury, divorce, birth of a child with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, etc. 

The retreat will employ large group meetings, time for personal solitude and prayer and use of small group discussion.  There will be four distinct parts of the retreat. 

1. The Problem with Problems:  In this section we will discuss how events produce certain natural consequences in our lives.  Beyond the issues that stem from a particular event or loss are our reactions to the problem.  This part will deal with the emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical problems that most of us have grapple with in order to effectively work through the tragedies and events that come into our lives.

2. Standing on the Promises:  As believers, we have a decision to make.  We must choose to turn to God or to turn away from Him.  If our decision is to turn to Him, we have a rich heritage of faith resources and promises to stand on.

3. Preparing for and Receiving the Help God Sends: since our decision is to seek God in our suffering and hardship, how can we position ourselves to receive the Graces that will flow into our lives.

4. Reconciling and Redeeming our Losses:  In time and by no means on our schedule we can learn to reconcile ourselves to a new and different reality in our lives.  Then, in His time He redeems and transforms our losses and recycles them to do his kingdom work.    

Jerry Deans has a Masters in Social Work from VCU and recently retired from the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. Jerry and Patsi have led a Grief Support
Group at Cool Spring Baptist Church for the past 4 years. Sandy Gramling is a licensed clinical psychologist
who is also on the faculty in the Psychology Department

Registration is limited to the first 25 people.
The cost of the retreat is $150, which includes two nights stay at Richmond Hill, and all meals.

Click here to register for this retreat.