November Meet-Up: Navigating the Holidays
The holiday season can be especially difficult when someone we love is missing. Familiar traditions, family gatherings and expectations to be joyful can bring a mixture of emotions, leaving us wondering how to approach a season that no longer feels quite the same.
Join us for an evening of honest conversation as we explore the challenges of navigating the holidays while grieving. Together, we'll talk about managing expectations, deciding which traditions to keep or change, setting gentle boundaries and giving ourselves permission to do what feels right for us.
Through shared experiences from our Griefwalk volunteers and conversations around the tables, we'll explore practical ways to approach the coming weeks, knowing there is no right or wrong way to grieve during the holidays.
You are welcome to attend one evening or join us regularly with no cost to attend although donations appreciated.
Please RSVP to help us plan and prepare a welcoming space for everyone.
While graciously hosted at Lakeside Church, Griefwalk Meet Ups are community-based gatherings that welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences and are non-religious in nature.
Scroll down to see more information about our Monthly Meet Up and what to expect.
Nov. 19
7-8:30pm
Christmas Memorial
The Christmas season can be both beautiful and deeply tender when someone we love is no longer here to share it with us. Amid the celebrations, familiar traditions and busyness of the season, we sometimes long for a quiet moment to simply remember.
Griefwalk warmly invites you to A Reflective Time to Remember, a gentle afternoon set apart to honour the lives of those we love and miss.
Together, we'll share a meaningful time of music, traditional Christmas carols, reflection and remembrance, including moments of quiet and a simple symbolic act to honour our loved ones and the love that continues.
Following our time of remembrance, we invite you to stay for cookies, refreshments and gentle conversation. Whether you choose to share memories, connect with others or simply enjoy a quiet moment, you are welcome.
This gathering is open to anyone in our community who is grieving the loss of someone special, whether your loss is recent or many years ago.
While our afternoon will include elements of the Christian Christmas tradition, people of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds are warmly welcome. There is no expectation to participate in any part of the gathering that doesn't feel comfortable for you.
Our hope is simply to offer a little comfort, connection and space to remember during a season that can hold so many emotions.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
We would be honoured to have you join us.
Dec. 13
3-4:30pm
ABOUT OUR MONTHLY MEET UPS
Welcome to the Griefwalk Monthly Meet-Ups.
We are creating a gentle, welcoming space for anyone connected to Griefwalk - whether you are new, have completed a support group, are waiting for a companion, or are simply looking for ongoing connection and encouragement. These evenings are not support groups, but guided community gatherings where people can come to listen, reflect, connect, and simply be - with no pressure to share.
Each Meet Up will include:
• A brief welcome and introduction
• A short reflection, speaker, or discussion on a grief-related topic
• Gentle conversation and connection
• Space to sit quietly, reflect, or connect with others
We hope these evenings will feel warm, calm, and welcoming - with coffee, tea, books, memory table, resources, and a sense of community for those walking through grief.
Meet Ups are planned for the third Thursday evening of each month (subject to change) from 7:00–8:30pm at Lakeside Church Cafe, 7654 Conservation Road, Guelph, ON.
You are welcome to attend one evening or join us regularly with no cost to attend although donations appreciated.
Please RSVP to help us plan and prepare a welcoming space for everyone.
While graciously hosted at Lakeside Church, Griefwalk Meet Ups are community-based gatherings that welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences and are non-religious in nature.
Future Monthly Themes:
November 19 – Navigating the Holidays