Grief Retreats

Looking for a retreat speaker or workshop facilitator? I have 20+ years of experience leading groups of all types. Let’s talk!

I have given dozens of women’s retreats, young adult vocational retreats, small parish groups, Clergy wellness seminars, and everything in between.

I seek to provide solid educational content, while facilitating group reflections and encouraging honest fellowship - always with a sense of humor and compassion for the experiences of your group.

Hire me for your retreat

 Upcoming Retreats

From Sorrow to Joy, an Orthodox Perspective on Sickness, Death and Healing
Feb
14

From Sorrow to Joy, an Orthodox Perspective on Sickness, Death and Healing

Young at Heart with Philoptochos, Life and Family, and Adult Religious Education are presenting this Retreat for our Community.

St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, Charlotte NC

How do we cope with grief? How do we support others who mourn? Together, we will explore how to cope with grief, support those who mourn, and discover joy through our faith. This retreat will feature engaging presentations, group discussions, and creative exercises that draw on the life-giving resources of Orthodoxy. When we love and care for each other, we encounter Christ; we find joy in the midst of our suffering.

Dr. Sarah is a board-certified chaplain and bereavement counselor with over 20 years of experience in hospice and palliative care. She serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, is a Research Fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and teaches Spiritual Care at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.

Dr. Sarah will bring her books with her to sign and they will be available for purchase after the presentation.

Philoptochos is providing a buffet lunch which will be served following Saturday of Souls Liturgy. Please RSVP by Feb 8 to attend the lunch. Free will donation will be accepted to offset the costs of the retreat.

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Joy Comes in the Mourning: Living with Grief as Orthodox Christians
Feb
21

Joy Comes in the Mourning: Living with Grief as Orthodox Christians

Register here!

Grieving is a universal experience on both the personal and community level. As Orthodox Christians, we have a rich inheritance of prayers, practices, and beliefs that teach us how to live with the joys and sorrows of everyday life. When we explore grief and suffering within the community of the Church, we learn to grieve in a way that honors the reality of loss, while granting us the hope and peace found in Christ.

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What Others Are Saying

  • "Sarah is an engaging speaker. She puts her audience at ease and makes it easy to share feelings and ask questions."

    Retreat Attendee, Cambridge, MA

  • “I am so thankful to have been at Sarah's talks and to have discovered her book. This will be an invaluable resource for years to come!”

    Retreat Attendee, Ligonier PA

  • “She creates safe and caring spaces within which people can commune and deepen their understanding around loss and bereavement.”

    Retreat Attendee, Ligonier PA

  • “Sarah speaks from the heart with compassion, humor and thoughtfulness about the hard topic of grief in a way that is accessible and healing.”

    Retreat Attendee, Cambridge MA

  • "Sarah is a wonderful speaker and has profound insights on applying the Orthodox ethos to real-life situations involving struggle, suffering, loss and the inevitable grief that follows."

    Retreat Attendee, Cambridge MA

  • "I really appreciated the space, time and community to be with my grief. Ever affirmed was the power of witnessing grief by and for others."

    Retreat Attendee, Los Angeles CA

  • "Wow, what an incredible retreat! I really benefited from hearing about grief from an Orthodox perspective and also just the experience of talking in small groups."

    Retreat Attendee, Cambridge MA

  • "The talks were perfectly constructed and involved the right balance of applying the very thing we were learning about while giving us so much theological, theoretical, and experiential information as well."

    Retreat Attendee, Cambridge MA

  • "Sarah's depth of knowledge and sensitivity to this subject was outstanding. Her presentation was thoughtful, compassionate, with a lightheartedness and deep sincerity."

    Retreat attendee, Cambridge MA

  • "Sarah came to our parish and led a retreat for both women and the entire parish. All who participated were uplifted with her presentation and reflections on how we must integrate life’s challenges with our faith in Christ."

    Parish Priest, Novato CA

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