Grief, Spirituality and Sexuality: Life after Losing a Spouse
April 24-26, 2009 at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center
With Rachel Nafziger Hartzler, pastor, author and speaker
There IS life after the death of a spouse, although the journey to get there may be painful, challenging, and seemingly endless at times. In this retreat specifically for widowed people (and those who walk with them), the topics of loss and suffering, lament, spirituality, sexuality, and hope will be presented and discussed. There will be times for worship, small groups, and personal reflection. Participants of a similar event in 2007 commented on the refreshing candor; the rich, deep spiritual tone; and the mixture of lament, hope, and assurance.
Share this information with someone you know by printing or emailing a copy of the flier.
To register print a registration form or call 800.839.1021.
Schedule
Friday
7:00 p.m. Loss and Suffering: Where is God?
Saturday
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Lament: Expressing the Pain of Loss
12:00 Lunch and free time
3:00 pm Spirituality: The Longing to Know God
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Sexuality: The Longing to Know an Other
8:30 pm Evening Prayers
Sunday
8:00 am Breakfast
9:30 Worship
10:00 Looking Forward with Hope
Rachel Nafziger Hartzler Bio
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Rachel Nafziger Hartzler was happily working as a childbirth educator when her husband had a deadly heart attack while jogging. At age 51 she was catapulted into a new stage of life with unrelenting sorrow, horrendous confusion, and unanswerable questions. Adding to her distress was becoming a single parent to grieving children. With the support of a caring community and by the grace of God, Hartzler endured the early months of widowhood only to discover new questions and challenges emerging as she slowly moved along on her grief journey. Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary was one place where she engaged the questions and began to discover that loss is an invitation to transformation. Her seminary work included a study of widowed people that became a foundation for her book, Grief and Sexuality: Life after Losing a Spouse. She graduated from seminary in 2004 and is now serving as a pastor at Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church in Middlebury, Indiana. |
Program Costs
Costs include all lodging, food and registration fees. Lodging will be in the Motel at Laurelville, a facility with 10 rooms each containing a double bed, two single beds and private bath.
Single lodging: $300
Double lodging: $225
Childcare is not being planned for this retreat, but we would be happy to help arrange it, if necessary.
Contact us for more information.