HELD IN HOPE
A Grief Recovery Workshop
Held in Hope is an eight‑session Christian grief recovery workshop offering a safe, grace‑filled space for those navigating sorrow, loss, or spiritual disorientation. Rooted in Scripture and enriched by pastoral care and psychological insight, it gently invites participants to name their pain, reflect on memories, and explore the possibility of hope. Through guided reflections, journaling, and honest group conversation, facilitators prioritise emotional safety and spiritual depth. There is no pressure to “move on”—only an invitation to move forward with faith, trust, and renewal.
Held in Hope:
A grief recovery workshop for Christians navigating grief and loss.
Held in Hope is a compassionate, eight-session workshop created for those walking through seasons of sorrow, loss, or spiritual disorientation. Rooted in Scripture, enriched by psychological insight, and shaped by pastoral care, it offers a safe and grace-filled space to begin healing.
What You’ll Explore
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The Reality of Grief - Naming loss, acknowledging pain, and grounding the journey in Scripture. Includes guided reflection, space to name personal losses, and biblical encouragement for honesty in sorrow.
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Jesus in Our Sorrow - Exploring Christ’s compassion and presence in grief. Includes Scripture readings, prayer, and conversation about how God meets us in our mourning.
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The Seasons of Grief - Understanding the emotional, spiritual, and relational rhythms of mourning. Includes teaching on grief’s non‑linear nature, journaling prompts, and group sharing about different “seasons.”
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Lament and Worship - Holding sorrow and praise together through biblical lament. Includes reflection on psalms of lament, writing personal prayers, and gentle encouragement to bring grief into worship.
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Healing and Hope - Exploring pathways of restoration, resilience, and spiritual renewal. Includes testimonies of resilience, Scripture on hope, and exercises to imagine small steps toward healing.
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Grief in Community - Navigating grief with others—support, misunderstanding, and grace. Includes group discussion on experiences of support, role‑play for handling misunderstandings, and encouragement to lean on community.
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Remembering Well - Honouring the past, processing memories, and embracing legacy. Includes memory‑sharing activities, journaling exercises, and symbolic acts of remembrance.
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Living Forward - Reimagining life after loss with faith, purpose, and hope. Includes reflection on new rhythms of life, prayer for courage, and encouragement to take gentle steps forward.
Held in Hope is a compassionate eight‑session Christian grief recovery workshop that provides a safe, grace‑filled space to name loss, reflect on sorrow, and gently explore hope through Scripture, pastoral care, psychological insight, guided reflection, journaling, and honest group conversation.
Who is this course suitable for?
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Anyone experiencing loss — whether through bereavement, life changes, or losses that are hard to name.
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Those in seasons of sorrow or disorientation — who feel overwhelmed, confused, or spiritually unsettled.
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Christians seeking faith‑filled support — who want to explore grief through Scripture, prayer, and pastoral care.
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People who value safe community — who long for a grace‑filled space to share honestly without pressure or judgement.
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Those not ready to “move on” — but who are open to gently exploring hope, renewal, and the possibility of living forward.
About the Author
Leston has spent nearly thirty years in pastoral ministry across South Africa and the UK, walking with people through grief, transition, and spiritual searching. His ministry is marked by a deep commitment to gentle care and support.
Alongside his pastoral experience, Leston has pursued further study in counselling and psychotherapy, and is an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. He also holds a Doctorate in Pastoral Studies.
Held in Hope was shaped not only by professional insight but also by personal journey. Knowing the ache of loss, Leston wrote this course to offer what is needed in these times: a safe space to be honest, to breathe, and to rediscover God’s tenderness in the midst of sorrow.
He continues to serve the wider Body of Christ—supporting churches, facilitators, and individuals seeking renewal—with prayer, humility, and hope.
In this course we will cover:
Understanding the Journey of Grief
We will explore how grief touches emotions, body, relationships, and faith, recognising that it is not a linear process but a deeply personal journey.
Finding God’s Presence in Sorrow
We will reflect on Christ’s compassion and the comfort of Scripture, discovering how faith and lament can coexist in seasons of loss.
Exploring Pathways of Healing and Hope
We will gently consider how resilience, memory, and community support can open space for renewal, helping us take small steps forward with faith and purpose.
