Here is the grief model called "The 7 Stages of Grief":

1. SHOCK & DENIAL-You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for weeks.

2. PAIN & GUILT-As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs.
You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn't do with your loved one. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase.

3. ANGER & BARGAINING-Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the death on someone else. Please try to control this, as permanent damage to your relationships may result. This is a time for the release of bottled up emotion.
You may rail against fate, questioning "Why me?" You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair ("I will never drink again if you just bring him back")

4. "DEPRESSION", REFLECTION, LONELINESS-Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. This is a normal stage of grief, so do not be "talked out of it" by well-meaning outsiders. Encouragement from others is not helpful to you during this stage of grieving.
During this time, you finally realize the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did with your lost one, and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.

5. THE UPWARD TURN-As you start to adjust to life without your dear one, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized. Your physical symptoms lessen, and your "depression" begins to lift slightly.6. RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH-As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without your loved one. You will start to work on practical and financial problems and reconstructing yourself and your life without him or her.

7. ACCEPTANCE & HOPE-During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness. Given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled YOU that existed before this tragedy. But you will find a way forward.

You will start to look forward and actually plan things for the future. Eventually, you will be able to think about your lost loved one without pain; sadness, yes, but the wrenching pain will be gone. You will once again anticipate some good times to come, and yes, even find joy again in the experience of living.

[ Hope and Health Through Creative Grieving ]

Survey shows shift in communications preferences of pastors, church leaders

United Methodist Communications recently surveyed more than 3,000 pastors and church leaders within The United Methodist Church to learn where they receive their denominational information and how they prefer to receive it.

“United Methodist Communications is the agency charged with communicating the ministry and mission of The United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “We continuously assess our methods and tools for engaging our audiences – especially at the local level.”
The survey revealed that, in general, United Methodist pastors and leaders now consider electronic media more important than publications as sources of information. An average of 79 percent of United Methodist pastors and leaders consider electronic denominational resources to be “very” or “somewhat” important to their work, compared to 68 percent who rate publications at a similar level of importance.

Respondents described annual conference Web sites, e-newsletters, and UMC.org as the denomination’s most important electronic media. Interpreter was the most recognized print publication, and respondents deemed it the most important in that category. (United Methodist Communications also offers Interpreter in digital format.)

Additionally, survey respondents indicated that they generally would like more information on church revitalization, leadership development, and welcoming and outreach. Eighty-seven percent said that they are “very interested” in the programs of the church.

Nonetheless, preferences for receiving that information vary by age group. Seventy-one percent of respondents under age 35 said they would support the conversion of UMC publications to digital, versus only 42 percent of respondents over age 65 who would support the conversion.

“This research is important as we develop new ways to make our messages more accessible and relevant to younger, more diverse audiences,” said Hollon. Hollon recently announced that United Methodist Communications will restructure its staff to focus more on developing content targeted at engaging youth and young adults, utilizing new forms of media, and strengthening related functions.

UMC
Media Contact: Diane Degnan
(615) 742-5406
ddegnan@umcom.org

Thanks for giving your time to attend the GHLES today at Conroe.

Blessings,

Thanks for giving your time to attend the GHLES today at Conroe. Everyone had a chance to experience something new. Please share the classes you took and what you learned from them. Here are my thoughts:

-Hispanic Ministry - I met a new contact person. She shared some insights about culture, family, and insights from Catholic backgrounds. Suggestion - create ministry for family (sports, food, and heritage) and worship is with the family not children's church structure
-Young Adult Ministry - small gatherings, options, technology, service. 7 week facilitated groups (lay or clergy) with options to choose new option with different people in the spring and fall; don't make things about "being a member" before you can serve.
Action that I will take: Invite small groups to worship with us and keep praying for Hispanic families in our area.

Again, thanks for supporting Nu Faith as we grow stronger together to make more disciples for

Jesus Christ....blessings!
Pastor King

What a great faith testimony!

Truly the joy of the Lord is upon all who have given their time, all who have served and sweated together to build a home for a neighbor. Celebrate with the UMC work teams of September 12th – Nu Faith - Willie, Donel, Jacqui, Terrell, Darrell, Dorothy, Alisicia, Kaneisha, and Lakewood UMC. We worked together to paint walls, cut and lay tile for the Faith and Women Build homes. Also, we provided strong and youthful hands for the Youth Build home along with extra support to prepare the outer insulation for a new home that was just being started. Praise God that today many worked side by side to achieve another level on the home for Margarita. Enjoy the photos! Thanks again to all who came together to build this home.

Keep watching in October 2009 to join us as we come together to bless our 1st Faith Build home in Hamil Ranch! Thanks for giving lots of love and sweat to build community in a new way. May God’s hand continue keep us building the body of Christ together forever. Live blessed so that we may bless others! For more info check out www.NuFaith.org

STRETCH 2 BUILD- What are we stretching for?

Becoming who God is calling us to be requires transformation. Nu Faith Community is approaching growth through prayer, worship, service, and study to start the stretching process now! What are we stretching for? Nu Faith Community is stretching to inhabit a 10.3 acre tract of land located in Northwest Houston . We are praying to build community in new places with new people. The faithful plans include soccer fields, walking trails, family picnic area, office and ministry outreach space. Stretch 2 Build is a targeted giving campaign that invites all to embrace God’s vision for building new faith communities. Check out the Stretch 2 Build prayers and events to connect with how God is inviting you to stretch with us...more>>