Navigating GriefLand
by Beth Yarborough, Pinnacle Associate
I planned to introduce our congregation to Navigating GriefLand in the spring of 2026. But as word got around, people started asking about it. So, on a whim, I tossed it out there to start this past September and eleven people immediately signed up for it. We met for eight weeks with most of the group attending every meeting.
Peggy Haymes has made the program very user-friendly with videos, a workbook and a leader guide. In addition, I created a PowerPoint presentation every week to highlight the conversation topics and embedded the video in the PowerPoint. Before each meeting I posted a word, verse, or quote for encouragement for the day. At the end, I posted a blessing for everyone to read together as we wrapped up the session.
The losses we discussed were varied. Most involved the loss of a loved one but in addition, some also talked about a much-loved pet. One participant, a man in his 70’s lost his wife six months prior to our launch of Navigating GriefLand. A retired engineer, he had already speed-read everything he could find related to grief in addition to attending another grief group here locally. He told me that he would come once but if he didn’t like Navigating GriefLand he wouldn’t come back. As it turns out he was the most engaged of everyone who attended and is now one of our biggest advocates for the next session.
As we wrapped up our group, some expressed sadness that the group was ending. In response, I reserved our church parlor for the first Tuesday every month at 10:00 am for anyone who would like to drop in for a chat or for coffee. We met for the first time today and we had five of our eleven participants show up.
We also have a very active Stephen Ministry which is an excellent partnership to Navigating GriefLand. The first Sunday in December we host an afternoon Service of Comfort and Hope which brings together people from all over the community to remember and honor their loved ones with a candle lighting ceremony.
In the spring, we are hosting Peggy here at First Presbyterian Church in Aiken, South Carolina, for a weekend to share information. She will meet with our Stephen Ministers on Friday evening. We plan to open Saturday’s presentation to the community so that other churches and organizations in our area can learn more about Navigating GriefLand.
Navigating GriefLand is a great resource. It is updated and inclusive of all kinds of grief which makes it very unique. I would be happy to share about our experience here. Feel free to email me at Byarborough1999@gmail.com.
