Grief Tender Mentoring Program 2027

with Guiding Elders Therese Charvet and Laurence Cole, held by Northwest Grief Tending

For those already hosting grief rituals and those who aspire to do so

The mentoring program started as a 2 day in-person retreat in 2020, migrated to zoom in 2021 (because of the pandemic) and has been evolving ever since. Over the years it has changed from year to year. From what we have heard from participants, it seems that the in-person retreats are the most meaningful part of the program, where the most learning happens. So this next year will include a 6 day retreat, with zoom meetings before and after. The details about this “Immersion Program,” which will run in early 2027, are ready to share.  You can read more about it by following the link below

Another change at this time is a shift from the program being held under Sacred Groves with Therese as Program Director.  Therese has stepped back into a “Guiding Elder” role (along with Laurence Cole,) and has handed off the operations/administrative aspects of the program to Siena Tenisci.  The program will now be held under the umbrella of Northwest Grief Tending.  We have been working with Siena for over a decade, since she first attended a grief retreat at Sacred Groves in 2014. She attended our first Mentoring Retreat in March 2020. We have witnessed her skills and heart-based grief tending grow over the years. Her work through Northwest Grief Tending is evidence of her capacity to hold and spread the work.  As Therese approaches her late 70’s and Laurence approaches his mid-80’s, it feels important for this work to be held by younger hands. We feel totally confident of Siena’s capabilities to steward the program, confident of the others she has enlisted as a supporting team, all of whom have worked with Laurence and Therese who will continue to be involved of course, as long as our health and stamina allow.  We both love this work.