Grief has been described as: “an emotion that heals itself” or “the process that allows us to let go of that which was and be ready for that which is to come…” But for those of us who have experienced the death of someone we love by murder, the trauma experienced lasts a lifetime.
Nothing in life could possibly prepare families for such a tragedy. Murder destroys more than “just” the life of another human being. For survivors, it disrupts all previous life patterns; thoughts, feelings and beliefs as-well-as any hopes or dreams for the future.
This intensive self-help weekend has been specially designed for survivors of homicide victims. Beneath the explosive emotions of anger, hate and revenge lie the more primary feelings of pain, hopelessness, frustration, fear and helplessness. Unresolved, these emotions can cause survivors to feel as though they’re losing their minds; alienation from family and friends who can’t or won’t imagine the impact of such a loss, thus leaving survivors alone with their grief or discouraged from grieving at all.
A weekend of hope and healing: An integral part of this intense self-help weekend will be an examination of love, tenderness and affection, along with relaxation techniques, compassion for oneself, meditation and the encouragement to move forward.
This weekend will place emphasis on: permission to uncover, experience, and feel within a safe environment and to share with others who truly understand; time to help survivors examine their relationship with the deceased, the effects of the murder, feelings about one’s self; living with others and yet surviving alone. This weekend has been designed to influence the reconstruction of a “new life.” A life that has a renewed sense of purpose.
GRIEF RETREAT IN CINCINNATI, OHIO
THE COURAGE TO GRIEVE
(A Weekend Retreat of Hope and Healing)
Courage to grieve weekend
Cincinnati, OH
MATCHING DONATIONS For Grief Retreat Weekend
Parents Of Murdered Children is hosting a Grief Retreat Weekend from October 6-8, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Scholarships were available, thanks to the generosity of Jean Lewis from Sarasota, Florida.
Jean’s son, Scott Lewis and his friend, Janet Bunkers were murdered in September 1980. In 1990, Jean and the former Executive Director, Nancy Ruhe, began the Grief Retreat weekends. They traveled to any Chapter, in the United States, who wanted to host the weekend. Jean has helped many survivors with their grief and wants to keep the Grief Retreat weekend funded for any survivor who wants to attend.
Because of Jean’s strong dedication to the Grief Retreat she has generously offered to match any donations that are given in March and April, up to $15,000, in memory of her son, Scott. POMC hopes that you will send in any donation, small or large.
Thank you Jean for your generosity to POMC and your loving dedication to help survivors.
It is a self-help weekend of the courage to grieve, to face the many overwhelming and difficult emotions that are the aftermath of murder, often compounded by the intrusion and frustration of the judicial process. Beneath the explosive emotions of rage, hate and revenge lay the more primary feelings of pain, fear and helplessness.
The weekend begins with dinner on Friday night. Those attending will meet at the Beth Anna house at the Transfiguration Spirituality Center. The Transfiguration Spirituality Center is located in the Glendale-Milford area at 495 Albion Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45246
The cost is $154.00 for the whole weekend and includes 6 meals. We do have scholarships available if you cannot afford this. Please sign up for the grief retreat in Cincinnati. Deposit – $25 cash, check or money order only (non-refundable if cancellation). Any questions, please call Bev @ (513) 721-5683 or E-mail bwarnock@pomc.org*