FEEL, REMEMBER, HEAL

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

FEEL, REMEMBER, HEAL .........................................2-3 BIBLE 101: BELOVEDNESS.......................................4-5 community life / PEACE .................................... 6-7 IT'S SIMPLE ..............................................................8-9 A NEW HOME, A NEW COUNTRY .............................. 10 ABOUT THE COVER / COntact Us ..........................11

by Pastor Karen Greimel (ksgreimel@lordoflife.org)

All of humankind are united by the experiences of life and death. These experiences are not an event, but a process. A process which brings with it opportunities to feel deeply, remember, and heal. Remembering invites us to feel the joy and the pain of life and death. It’s easier to remember the joyful times in life. But remembering a loved one no longer with us is painful. In times of grief, we might feel alone—but we are not alone. God is with us, crying with us, holding us . . . consoling us. God knows our pain because Jesus came to die for our sins—a suffering endured on our behalf. God never wants us to be separated from our loved ones, and especially not separated from God. Every funeral I have the honor to officiate, my homily includes one common denominator—a quote by author Leslie Marmon Silko:

When someone dies, you don’t get over it by forgetting; you get over it by remembering, and then you become aware that no person is ever truly lost or gone once they have been in our life and loved us, as we have loved them.

FEEL, REMEMBER, HEAL

God wants us to remember . . . the gift of life—not the sting of death. Through the promise of Jesus, the gift of life continues in a unique and eternal way. Over time, the pain of remembering shifts into a form of healing. We find ourselves not forgetting but remembering with love and increased strength. We never forget, but the previously persistent pain and sadness retreats and attracts joyful memories. The joy of knowing that person, loving them and them loving us. This anonymous poem reminds us:

In times of darkness, love sees . . . In times of silence, love hears . . . In times of doubt, love hopes . . . In times of sorrow, love heals . . . and in all times, love remembers. May time soften the pain until all that remains is the

warmth of the memories and the love.

Within this grief process, it’s possible for us to gather with others who are also navigating the feeling, remembering, and healing. All are in differing places in this process, but united by the experience. We are also united in consolation. The consolation given by God and that consolation given to one another.

I would like to invite you to a time of remembering on Sunday, November 7, at 7pm, in the Lord of Life sanctuary for a Service of Remembrance. This special gathering is open to all who have experienced a death at any time in their life; you are encouraged to invite family members or friends. Being with others who share in this experience offers consolation as we feel, remember, and heal together. Bless you with God’s comfort and love.

For details on the November 7 Service of Remembrance, contact Michelle Tomlinson (763.420.5015 or michellet@lordoflife.org).