South Barrington REBUILD: Finding life after loss
When you're grieving the death of a loved one, a divorce, or pregnancy loss, where can you turn?
REBUILD workshops offers comfort, hope, and practical tools for healing after the death of a loved one; a finalized divorce; infertility, miscarriage, or stillbirth.
REBUILD offers its core, ten-week workshop twice a year (winter/spring and fall), and hosts topical events and classes on helpful grieving throughout the year.
REBUILD for Teens: Students in grades 9–12 can attend REBUILD's core workshop as part of a teens-only group led by a trained facilitator. Students hear the same large-group teaching as adult REBUILD participants, and their table leader then guides their discussion at age-targeted levels. Note: For students 17 and younger, registration must be submitted by a parent or guardian.
REBUILD | Handling the Holidays—and the Hardest Days
7–9 p.m., Wednesday, May 8 | Room F392. Use Entrance F and follow signs to F392, located on the floor above Harvest Food Court.
Navigating holidays, birthdays, vacations, and other memory-filled milestones after the death of a loved one or end of a marriage can be extraordinarily challenging and painful. How do you reclaim the joy of those events while still honoring your loss?
This one-night workshop provides you and your loved ones with helpful strategies for making it through the hardest of days:
- Learn the art of pre-grieving.
- Honor your loved one and your loss while still finding moments to celebrate.
- Avoid potholes that can cause damage to you and those around you.
- Navigate speed bumps along the way.
- Gain perspective about why joy still matters, even after your loss.
No registration required. Just show up! Come with family or friends—or by yourself. Everyone is welcome.
NOTE: If you're registered for REBUILD's core workshop, you're automatically invited to attend this workshop with your REBUILD group.
REBUILD | Fall 2019
Time & dates TBD
At REBUILD's core workshop, you'll be seated at a table based on the type of loss you've experienced:
- Teens who've experienced the death of a close friend or loved one
- Death of a spouse
- Death of a child
- Death of a parent
- Death of a sibling, other relative, or close friend
- Loss of a pregnancy (infertility, miscarriage, or stillbirth)
- Divorce
What to expect
- Compelling, practical large-group teaching from a team of therapists, pastors, and teachers who have navigated their own seasons of loss
- Safe, confidential small-group conversations led by compassionate leaders—alongside fellow participants who have experienced a loss similar to yours
- Tons of practical tools for helpful grieving
- Insight for how to connect spiritually through your loss
How to register
- Registration opens on May 8. Check back to secure your spot!
- Registration fee: REBUILD asks for a $15 registration fee to cover beverages on each of the ten evenings. Scholarships are available.
- Programs for kids: Child Grief Support, Awana, and childcare are available for your kids (infants through grade 8).
Questions?
To learn more about REBUILD or to volunteer, email REBUILD Director Leigh Carlson.
Winter/Spring 2019 Child Grief Support
Kids tend to grieve differently from adults. This nine-week program, offered at Willow South Barrington in conjunction with REBUILD, helps kids (kindergarten–grade 6) who are grieving the death of a parent, sibling, close relative, or friend.
What happens at Child Grief Support? Children engage in age-targeted activities that help them express and process their loss. Games, drama, art, journaling, storytelling, and imaginative play are led by compassionate leaders who understand kids and loss.
Volunteer for Child Grief Support.
Contact: Kirsten Hitchcock 224-512-1791
Grief counseling for kids: Willow Creek’s Counselor Referral Network (CRN) includes a number of skilled, compassionate therapists who can help people process a significant loss. Ask for a therapist who specializes in child grief. Learn more.
Find a grief or divorce therapist.
To find a licensed counselor who can help you in this season, call the church at 847-765-5000 (9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday––Friday) and ask to speak with a response pastor. Willow Creek’s Counselor Referral Network (CRN) includes a number of skilled, compassionate therapists who specialize in helping people process a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, infertility, miscarriage/stillbirth, or divorce.
