MONTREAL, QC, Aug. 16, 2018/ – A new series of “Embracing Grief” workshops, designed by Vivianne LaRivière, of The Art of Soul Care, is being offered in partnership with ORA Loss & Living Program, a non-profit initiative in the West Island, to help people develop coping skills for grieving through meditation, creative art activities and shared wisdom through group discussion.
Grief is most often recognized after the death of a loved one, but can also be caused by many other types of loss: the loss of a job or a dream; loss of physical or mental health, mobility or independence (our own or that of someone we love); loss of identity; loss of faith; financial loss; global crises; loss of a pet; or even loss of familiar traditions or surroundings.
“Everyone in the world gets hit with loss and grief at some point in life, but most of us are totally unprepared to deal with it. Learning how to acknowledge, recognize—and even embrace—our grief allows us to start rebuilding our lives around our loss,” says Judy Coffin, program coordinator of ORA.
Participants may register for a series of five Saturday sessions at the Art of Soul Care studio in St. Lazare, or a series of eight Tuesday evening sessions at Ste. Genevieve United Church in Dollard-des-Ormeaux (details below).
| Saturday series Art of Soul Care Studio, Saint-Lazare, QC |
Tuesday evening series Ste. Genevieve United Church, 4697 boulevard Saint-Jean, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC |
| September 22 (full day) 9 am-5 pm
September 29 (full day) 9 am-5 pm October 13 (half day) 9 am-2 pm October 27 (full day) 9 am-5 pm November 3* (half day) 9 am-2 pm
*includes potluck feast and art display |
September 25 – 7:00-9:30 pm
October 2 – 7:00-9:30 pm October 9 – 7:00-9:30 pm October 16 – 7:00-9:30 pm October 23 – 7:00-9:30 pm October 30 – 7:00-9:30 pm November 6 – 7:00-9:30 pm November 13* – 6:00-9:30 pm |
The cost of $250/person includes approximately 30 hours of workshop time and all art supplies required. Registration is available through Eventbrite using the following links:
https://embracinggrief-saturdays.eventbrite.ca
https://embracinggrief-tuesdays.eventbrite.ca
Vivianne LaRivière, spiritual arts practitioner, educator, and multi-media artist holds a Masters of Pastoral Studies, a Masters of Theological Studies, and is a Doctoral Candidate in her final year of a Doctorate of Ministry Program. Additionally, she holds a diploma in Recording Arts Management, and is a Reiki Master. Vivianne honours her Indigenous ancestry, and is a drum maker and carrier. As a facilitator, Vivianne brings decades of experience working with the convergence of art and spirituality, noting the language of symbols and metaphors as an extremely powerful tool, that can open the portals toward healing and transformation. Her special skill set helps determine what lays beyond the image on the page, invoking a responsible conversation with your authentic self: your soul.
ORA Loss and Living Program is a community outreach initiative of Ste. Genevieve United Church, dedicated to creating space for conversations about grief and loss. Through workshops, presentations and participation in community events, ORA offers opportunities for people of many backgrounds to share their collective wisdom about ways of living fully through the grieving processes associated with many different types of loss.
ORA is a Maori word which means “life.” The ORA Loss & Living Program is about piecing broken fragments together to renew life.
For more information, please contact Judy Coffin, Program Coordinator, ORA Loss & Living Program.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ora-mtl.org
Facebook: oralossandliving
