I’m continuing to do some work on how Christians can walk alongside each other through grief. Partly, that’s about how do we all as believers bare one another’s burdens and partly it’s about how pastors and elders can particularly support church members but it is also about what it means for those of us who… Continue reading Christians and long-term grief
Tag: mourning
Pastoring the grieving: The funeral
An important part of looking after people through grieving is the funeral which offers some form of closure. Although it is not the end of grieving, it does provide a marker, enabling the bereaved to move on with the next phase of their life. There isn’t really a right or wrong way to hold a… Continue reading Pastoring the grieving: The funeral
Deliver us from evil
News reaches Mordecai of Haman’s orders. His response is to go into public mourning, tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth and covering his head with ash. As news spreads, other Jews do the same. This was a cry to God for mercy and deliverance. It is important not to treat Mordecai as somehow to blame.… Continue reading Deliver us from evil
When Sorrows like sea billows roll (book review)
There aren’t many certainties in life, in fact it’s often said that the only three are birth, death and taxes. The middle of these means that at some point we are going to experience bereavement. What does it mean to grieve well? How can our faith sustain us through difficult days and how can we… Continue reading When Sorrows like sea billows roll (book review)
Talking to children about death and grief
It is said that the Victorians had a taboo about talking about sex but spoke freely about death and dying. In our age we have reversed that. Yet, life is fragile and death can come at any moment. So, it is important that we should be able to talk about it and this includes with… Continue reading Talking to children about death and grief
Don’t make it about …
In my other article this morning I talk about the grief and mourning process thinking about what happens when this happens in a wider public context. Of course one of the emotions that can be part of grief (though doesn’t always have to be) is anger. I don’t think there has been much of that… Continue reading Don’t make it about …
A period of mourning
I just wanted to share a few further reflections on grief and mourning, particularly with reference to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. I’m writing aware that a lot of readers are UK based and so the events of the last day or two have no doubt had a deep affect on many but I’m… Continue reading A period of mourning
Her Majesty … Our Queen
Yesterday evening it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died aged 96. I was in the city centre when the official news came through. Even though we knew she had been increasingly frail and even though we had known through the afternoon that there were health concerns for her and her family were gathering… Continue reading Her Majesty … Our Queen
We need to talk about death
I’ve lost four friends during the past year. As it happens only 1 of those deaths was recorded as COVID related. However, the presence of the pandemic has made us more alert to death. There is something grim about the arrangements of funerals with the restrictions on who can attend and the required social distancing… Continue reading We need to talk about death
Happy people – those who mourn
Our second beatitude promises blessing or happiness for those who mourn. In Matthew, the reason that they are happy, or blessed is because they will be comforted. Luke 6:21 sets an even strong contrast “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” Jesus here is picking up on an important Old Testament theme… Continue reading Happy people – those who mourn
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