Ministering through Grief and Loss
Come learn from two churches that have started ministries for folks living through grief and loss. Learn how they assessed the need, found resources, got buy-in, and have evaluated the impact. Time for questions and discussion to follow!
PRESENTERS
Rev. Alex Plum
Rev. Alex Plum is an ordained deacon who serves as the Michigan Conference's Abundant Health Coordinator. His primary appointment is as executive director of the Corner Health Center, the state's largest and first adolescent health care organization. He and his husband Jason worship at Berkley First, where they co-lead small group ministries.
Rev. Mark Erbes
Rev. Mark Erbes is a retired elder in the United Methodist Church, most recently serving at Holt UMC outside Lansing. He and his wife Annette, the Michigan Conference's former Lay Leader, now worship at the Muskegon Lake Harbor UMC, where they are actively involved with outreach and care ministries, including Grief Share.
SK Osborn
SK Osborn is an active laywoman at Ludington UMC. Originally from the West Coast, SK's travels have taken her through the Rocky Mountains to life on Michigan's "best" coast. She is an active mental health first responder and involved in ministries and programs related to healthy mind and spirit.
To learn more
Have questions? Please contact:
Rev. Alex Plum
Michigan Conference Abundant Health Coordinator
health@michiganumc.org
(810) 210-0090
Watch the webinar below
WHAT
Rev. Mark Erbes (retired elder) will present on the Lake Harbor UMC (Muskegon) Grief Share ministry program He will share about the process his church used to define the need for this ministry, how they identified the Grief Share program curriculum, and launched it. Importantly, he will reflect on how impactful it's been, using examples from their current ministry focus.
SK Osborn (laywoman) will represent the Ludington UMC program on grief. Her presentation will be framed through her experience moving across the country and the grief of loss she experienced with both personal and place-based transitions. She will also share how Ludington UMC has used the Grief Share program.
Rev. Alex Plum (clergy) will moderate the event. He will open things with a short devotional on the Celtic spiritual understanding of thresholds. After both presentations, he will facilitate a moderated conversation with both speakers and a Q&A period with all virtual attendees.
WHO
Churches (clergy & laity) with an interest in starting or sustaining ministries and programs with a focus on health, healing, and wholeness (across body, mind, and/or spirit).
WHEN
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM ET
COST
There is no cost to attend this event.
WHERE
This is a Zoom event.
Last Updated on March 10, 2025