The Language of Loss - Putting Grief into Words

The Language of Loss - Putting Grief into Words

Burying a loved one, getting divorced, being downsized at work, growing old, letting go of a dream—any loss can leave us speechless. Throw political upheaval, economic uncertainty, and environmental disasters into the mix and grief is a natural response. All of a sudden, the language we’ve relied on for years no longer has the power to get us through the day, much less express our anger, soothe our sadness, or calm our confusion.

Join us as we welcome Amy Lyles Wilson to the Center for Hope & Healing to lead us through a time of healing our grief through the written word. You needn’t consider yourself a “real writer” to join us, and critique is not part of the process. (You won’t even be compelled to read your work aloud!) This isn’t therapy, but putting pen to paper enhances our healing, allows us to bear witness to the human condition, and draws us closer to God.

Amy Lyles believes it’s the sharing of our stories that saves us. Toward that end, she helps people get to the heart of the matter through words. A Mississippi native who calls Nashville home, Amy Lyles works as a story coach, spiritual director, and community-based teacher. You may know her from her many writing workshops offered at St. Mary's at Sewanee. She has served as adjunct professor and writer-in-residence at the Earlham School of Religion, and led workshops across the South, as well as at the Chautauqua Institution. She is a trained spiritual director and facilitator of both Amherst Writers and Artists and SoulCollage® workshops, and holds degrees in English, journalism, and theology. She recently earned a certificate in narrative healthcare from Lenoir-Rhyne University as part of her commitment to continued education and training. Learn more at www.amylyleswilson.com.

Lunch and a writing journal are included in your registration fee!

Host or Publisher Vicki Askew