Happy Wednesday everyone… my heart is still full after the service and workshop on Sunday. We were blessed with author and retreat leader Betty Hill Crowson from Fryeburg, Maine. Betty’s latest book is You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: A Women’s Guide through Grief and Loss.
Betty shared many of her own experiences with loss and how she was not equipped to deal with the grief and therefore stuffed it into a sack, which she acknowledged that most of us have deep within our being. She brought to our awareness the shadow of grief. This shadow of grief are feelings of deep sadness and feeling overwhelmed with everything after the loss of someone dear to us. We haven’t learned this is to be expected. What also can show up are other emotions such as anger, resentment, regrets, and guilt, which derail us in their unexpectedness and intensity.
What sets this book apart from other books on grief is she walks us through a process of learning to differentiate and cope with our emotions and how to get back on our feet and heal. What she offers is hope and a way forward. If you missed the service, you can watch it here.
There was a desire of many at the workshop to create a book study and to have the support of others to work through the grief and losses we have all experienced. Stay tuned as we will be offering an in-person and online class in the early part of 2023.
Betty talked about the importance of good self care, and we have that with a yoga class. Join Catherine Escamilla for a Saturday morning stretch starting on December 3 at 10 a.m. for one hour. See the flyer below and register.
Many of you know that I am one who speaks her truth and speaks it quickly. It is no surprise that the last 32 months have been extremely difficult, and we are not out of the woods yet. In-person attendance is down by about 50 percent from where we were prior to COVID. We do have a nice following online, for which we are grateful. We are offering a variety of classes and workshops; however, it isn’t giving us the financial stability we once had. I have great faith in our community, and I believe without a doubt that the financial stability will come back, and we will have what we need to continue to give you the quality services that you are used to. However, it is going to take all of us to make this happen. Giving Tuesday is on November 29, and our goal this year is $10,000. Your Giving Tuesday gift will keep Unity merry and bright throughout the winter. So thank you in advance for your extra giving to help us meet our goal.
Have a fabulous week and know how much you are loved!
You are a blessing in my life
Rev. Patricia Bessey
