Books
Journey with Grief: Naviating the First Year by Larry Warner
In this small but powerful book, spiritual director Larry Warner thoughtfully and sacrificially opens his soul, gently bringing the reader along on a journey through grief. His story is unique to him, but many of the emotions he suffered and the insights he gained are universal. This book is divided into two sections: a helpful comfort for the grieving, and a guide for those who choose to travel with them.
Praying Our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp
Everyone has unique goodbyes–times of losing someone or something that has given life meaning and value. With the touch of a poet, Joyce Rupp offers her wisdom on "these experiences of leaving behind and moving on, the stories of union and separation that are written in all our hearts." Praying Our Goodbyes, Rupp says, is about the spirituality of change.
A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss by Jerry L Sittser
An expanded edition of this classic book on grief and loss―with a new preface and epilogue. Loss came suddenly for Jerry Sittser. In an instant, a tragic car accident claimed three generations of his family: his mother, his wife, and his young daughter. A Grace Disguised plumbs the depths of sorrow, whether due to illness, divorce, or the loss of someone we love. The circumstances are not important; what we do with those circumstances is. In coming to the end of ourselves, we can come to the beginning of a new life―one marked by spiritual depth, joy, compassion, and a deeper appreciation of simple blessings.
A Cure for Sorrow by Jan Richardson
When Jan Richardson unexpectedly lost her husband and creative partner, the singer/songwriter Garrison Doles, she did what she had long known how to do: she wrote blessings.
These were no sugar-coated blessings. They minimized none of the pain and bewilderment that came in the wake of a wrenching death. With these blessings, Jan entered, instead, into the depths of the shock, anger, and sorrow. From those depths, she has brought forth words that, with heartbreaking honesty, offer surprising comfort and stunning grace.
Articles
What to Say When You Meet the Angel of Death at a Party
This is a personal essay written for the New York Times Opinion section by Kate Bowler, an assistant professor at Duke Divinity School. A year ago, at age 35, she was diagnosed with incurable stage IV cancer, and in this essay, she writes about the effect that her life—and inevitable death—has on the people around her, particularly the good Christians who are trying to help.
Fixing Our Eyes on the Unseen CSDA member Patricia Conneen
Addressing the subject of Spiritual Direction with the terminally ill, Pat examines questions such as: Does our role as director change once we learn that our directee is driving directly into the “valley of the shadow of death?” How do we care for a soul that is seemingly going on, with or without us, into the dark, uncharted territory of his own death? How do we care for his soul and ours so as not to be overcome by the darkness?
Preparing for the Unexpected: "In case of my death…" by CSDA founder Monica Romig Green
As spiritual directors, we owe it to our directees to have a plan in place in the event of our death. While our direction relationships are confidential, they are also often important and cherished as well. Preparing to have someone contact your directees when you are ultimately not able to do so is a loving and thoughtful way to bring closure to a relationship that ends in an unexpected way. So, how does a spiritual director respect directees' confidentiality and simultaneously prepare for an event like this?
Groups
GriefShare – link to find a 13-week GriefShare support group
GriefShare Daily Email – link to sign up for a daiy email that provide encouragement and reminders of the recovery process.