MESSY CHURCH
The Necessary Journey:
An Orientation to Death, Dying and Grief
A Community Project Initiated by Mount Forest United Church
This work is supported by a grant from Embracing the Spirit, through the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada.
Death Cafe
September 23, 2022, 7 p.m.
Fellowship Hall,
Mount Forest United Church
175 Queen St. E., Mount Forest
Death is something we all have in common but are afraid to talk about. Are you values and wishes known? Let's start the conversation.
Death Cafes are gatherings where people join together to share in conversation about issues surrounding death, and to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.
While not bereavement or support groups, Death Cafes are group direction discussions with no agenda, providing an opportunity to respectfully discuss death as a natural part of our lives.
"Time is different when you know you're dying. Time matters. Minutes matter. Time is not to be wasted. Sometime - soon - there will be no more time."
JON UNDERWOOD, Death Cafe, September, 2011, England
This event is being hosted by RoseAnne Desmarais. RoseAnne is an End-of-Life Doula, Private Palliative PSW and Certified Grief Educator/Companion.
Attendance is limited to 25 individuals. This event is free and held quarterly. All participants can pre-register at Eventbrite or by calling RoseAnne Desmarais at (226) 820-4945.
Service of Remembrance
December 9, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Mt. Forest Pentecostal Church
259 Fergus St. S.,
Mount Forest
This service is a community event and is held in loving memory of
those who have passed away. It is a time of reflection to honour the lives of
those who have touched ours. Please join us for our non-denominational
Christmas Remembrance Service. Everyone is welcome.
Seating is limited. In order to attend, everyone must RSVP no later
than Friday, December 3rd by contacting the funeral home:
info@englandfuneralhome.com or (519) 323-2631.
If you are unable to attend in person, please join us virtually on Thursday,
December 9th at 7:00 p.m. by visiting the England Funeral Home Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/England-Funeral-Home-1863283503935858.
Navigating Grief Through Movement
Sunday Feb. 27, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m
Fellowship Hall,
Mount Forest United Church
175 Queen Street E., Mt Forest
Presented by Cynthia Croker of Motus O dance theatre
Grief resides in the cells of your body. One of the most effective ways to usher grief out of your cells is through movement.
As a participant, you will learn how to listen to your body in a deeper way, how movement can help you bring joy back into your life and how to tap into the wisdom of your body.
Cynthia Croker is the co-artistic director of Motus O dance theatre. She has led many movement workshops on how to find emotional wellness throughout her thirty-year career in dance.
Free. All participants must pre-register via Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/198696475507
or by calling 226-820-4945.
What Do I need to Know about Advance-care Planning, Palliative Care and Hospice
February 15, 2022, 7 p.m.
ONLINE EVENT VIA ZOOM
Presented by Julie Martin-Jansen of Hospice Wellington
Attend in order to increase your awareness and understanding of Advance Care Planning , Palliative Care and Hospice programs available to residents of rural Wellington. "Planning consciously for the future is one of the best tools to stay grounded in the present."
_"Your story matters at Hospice Wellington. It is not just about the
place you go to die._
_Hospice is here for you as your story unfolds to provide you and your
family with the compassionate end-of-life care and support you need and
deserve. _
_We support clients through the experience of life-limiting illness,
their caregivers and the bereaved as well as increasing the awareness
and understanding of Advanced Care Planning."_
On Dec. 5 2021 (First Sunday of Advent), Rev. Sheryl Spencer had a conversation with local artist Andrea Bird. Andrea is part of the Necessary Journey initiative, interested because she is living into her dying. To learn more about Andrea, her work and her journey, click here: www.andreabird.com.
Free. All participants must pre-register either via Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/208994306597
or by calling (226) 820-4945
A zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the event.
A Conversation about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
March 8, 2022, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Mount Forest United Church Fellowship Hall
This panel discussion will provide attendees with a look inside the various aspects of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) from those with firsthand experience. Attendees will hear from panelists on aspects including: living with a terminal illness; who is able to access this regulated option; what the process is like requesting this option; and the legislation regarding MAID. The panel discussion will be moderated by Elsa Mann. Attendance is limited.
Free. All participants must pre-register either via Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/209013403717
or be calling (519) 313-7000
Moving Stories
March 26, 2022, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Mount Forest United Church, 175 Queen St. E.,
Mount Forest ON
Presented by the Artists of the Motus O Dance Theatre
A MOVING STORY Informs the future by animating the past and present….
It is an improvisational portrayal of someone’s personal experience in their life. The story is told verbally. The dancers and musicians play the story back to the audience in a three-dimensional form. The Moving Story experience is an entertaining, engaging and creative inquiry process designed to deepen the connection and level of insight for individuals embarking on important group work. A number of key questions – specifically designed to explore and focus the main goals of any gathering – drive the process.
Animated through movement and music, powerful stories and personal experiences shared by the participants are performed back to the audience by professional artists for further contemplation and conversation - helping participants gain new insight and wisdom into past experiences. It helps participants anchor key learning, moving forward in their lives with greater awareness and understanding of self.
Viewing one’s story/experiences transformed into a short dance vignette is a unique way to gain fresh perspectives, new insights and rekindle inspiration. The Moving Stories process is powerful way to celebrate both group diversity and universal commonalties.
Moving Stories helps to make sense of complex challenges that grief presents in our lives.
Free. All participants must pre-register, either via Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/moving-stories-tickets-209023333417
or by calling (226) 820-4945.
Families and Grief
April 13, 2022, 7 p.m.
Location: Mount Forest United Church, 175 Queen St. E.,
Mount Forest ON
Hosted by the England Funeral Home
A guest speaker from Bereaved Families of Ontario will speak about family
families and grief. The discussion will include everything from infant and pregnancy loss, helping children to understand grief, the loss of a child (at any age), and so much more! Please feel free to bring your children with you – a supervised craft will be made available for them to enjoy while you participate in the session.
Free. In order to attend, please RSVP by Monday, April 11th by contacting the funeral home: info@englandfuneralhome.com or (519) 323-2631.
Funerals 101:
Everything You Need (and Want) to Know
May 18, 2022, 2 p.m.
Location: England Funeral Home, 294 Main St. S. Mt. Forest, ON
Hosted by the England Funeral Home
Join us as we explore the many options available. Topics will include burial and cremation; funeral, memorial and celebration of life services; planning a service that is personal to you; the legal requirements that need to be fulfilled when a person dies; and much more! Rev. Sheryl Spencer and Derek Moore will also speak about how to select readings and music for your service.
Holly and Kirk Jordan are the owners of the England Funeral Home in Mount Forest. Both are Licensed Funeral Directors and have a passion for serving families who have experienced a loss. Collectively, they have over 40 years’ experience in the funeral industry. They are blessed with two sons, Benjamin and Cameron. While not at work, you will find them at the hockey rink or enjoying the outdoors.
Rev. Sheryl Spencer is the minister at Mount Forest United Church. She loves collaborating with others and is especially pleased with the experience and skills brought together in this series. She counts it an honour and a privilege to tend to families who are experiencing loss.
Free. In order to attend, please RSVP by Monday, May 16th by contacting the funeral home: info@englandfuneralhome.com or (519) 323-2631.
Mount Forest Cemetery and Death Café
June 18, 2022, 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Mount Forest Cemetery,
411257 Southgate Sideroad 41
Death Cafés are gatherings where people join together to share in conversation about issues surrounding death, to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.
While not bereavement or support groups, Death Cafés are group direction discussions with no agenda, providing an opportunity to respectfully discuss death as a natural part of our lives.
“Time is different when you know you’re dying. Time matters. Minutes matter. Time is not to be wasted. Sometime - soon - there will be no more time”. JON UNDERWOOD,
Death Cafe, September 2011, England
This event is being hosted by RoseAnne Desmarais. RoseAnne is an End-of-Life Death Doula, Private Palliative PSW and Certified Grief Educator/Coach. Covid protocols will be in place.
Free. All participants must pre-register, either via Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/209028880007
or by calling RoseAnne Desmarais at 226-820-4945. Bring a lawn chair to sit on.
Resources
On Dec. 5 2021 (First Sunday of Advent), Rev. Sheryl Spencer had a conversation with local artist Andrea Bird. Andrea is part of the Necessary Journey initiative, interested because she is living into her dying. To learn more about Andrea, her work and her journey, click here: www.andreabird.com.