United Church of Christ
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
Scripture Text | Matthew 27:59-61
Three Wonderings
1
I wonder when there was a time you lost someone or something very important to you?
2
I wonder what losing that person/thing felt like for you? I wonder how you celebrate the memory of that person or thing?
3
I wonder what God does when we lose someone/something?
Caring for the Common Good Project
Paint and Share Comfort Stones
Decorate smooth stones with comforting messages and images. Then share them with people (or local organizations supporting people) who are grieving.
Materials: Paint markers, Stones (available at most craft shops if stones are under snow)
How to: Using paint markers, decorate a rock with a simple message or image of support.
- Some examples include:
Words: Love, Peace, Strength, Hope
Images: Heart, Sun, Peace Sign, Get Creative!
Reflect:
- How does our family/community celebrate the lives of loved ones when they die?
- What are some ways we can support those who are grieving in our community?
Contemplative Movement
Outdoor Explore
What: Walk to a wide open place, bring along a shawl or scarf for each person. Once gathered in the space, pull the shawls/scarves over each head, like a cocoon.
Reflect/Ask:
- Notice the feelings in your body, mind, and heart when others disappear from view. Stay in these feelings of loss for a minute.
- Invite turning the shawls/scarves into wings. ’Fly’ around like a butterfly!
- Notice the feeling of joy in body, mind, and heart. Wonder how deeply grief sinks into our being and how joy can lift us from these depths.
- Where is God in feelings of loss? In feelings of joy?
Films
Short films
Duck, Death and the Tulip (all ages) Based on a picture book of the same name, this 5-minute animation is a philosophical story about death and friendship.
Negative Space (all ages) A stop-motion 5-minute film about ritual suitcase packing and what we hold onto when someone is gone.
Full-length movies
Charlotte’s Web (age 5+). Read Common Sense Media’s review.
My Octopus Teacher (age 8+). Read Common Sense Media’s review.
Creative Project
Draw Your Life
Materials: blank paper or print the “My Life” pdf, markers or colored pencils
How to: On a blank piece of paper or on a copy of the printable, decorate the page and word “life” with images or symbols that represent “life” for you. Ask: What gives you energy? What excites you? What are you passionate about?
Reflect:
- While coloring, talk about what brings you life.
- Who, or what, supports you living your fullest life?
- For older children, ask what takes away from a full life. Wonder where joy lives when we feel grief and where grief goes when joy returns.
- Explore ambiguous loss. Share ambiguous loss experiences.
Books
Cry Heart, But Never Break by Glenn Ringtved
Additional Resources
- Find more support for your conversations about grief in this article from Doing Good Together.
- Find resources for talking about grief with Children & Families; Differently Abled Persons; Tweens & Teens; and Adults
- Scripture Text Matthew 27:59-61