News from Circle of Friends for the Dying

FULL CIRCLE

JUNE 2024 - ISSUE 4

She Keeps on Movin'

Never one to hold still for long, our co-founder, Barbara Sarah, is moving south to Chestnut Ridge, NY, into the Fellowship Community there. Her phone number remains the same, and you may still see her at many of the CFD events. A moving celebration in her honor was hosted by two of her daughters in May, and was attended by many friends and those she has helped along the way. She is pictured here with another co-founder, Laurie Schwartz. We are wishing you all the best with your move, Barbara!

Welcome Tim!

Tim Copeland has started working with CFD as a part-time administrator. He has a Master of Science in Thanatology in addition to being a dedicated service leader in the funeral world at the local, state, and national levels for over 30 years. Tim brings innovative solutions and unwavering support to individuals and families dealing with the complexities of end-of-life care and the grief that accompanies it. He will often be in Jim & Lisa’s Circle Home on a Tuesday or Wednesday if you’d like to stop by and meet him. You can contact him at admin@circlehome.org.

Ready, Aim, Write

Editor extraordinaire, Ann Hutton is currently offering her first, of what she hopes will be many, writing workshops at Jim & Lisa’s Circle Home. Beginning on Tuesday evening on May 21st, the workshop was originally scheduled one day a week for six weeks. Ann is willing to extend the sessions to be sure all participants are able to attend every session. "When people write together and share their work, something magical happens. To know others and be known authentically affirms your place in life, however impermanent it may be."

Ann has led writing workshops for the Oncology Support Program at HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston, Breast Cancer Options at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, and Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) at Bard College. Her workshops follow the Amherst Writers & Artists method. If you missed these series, she will be hosting more in the future, so stay tuned!

We’re officially back!

Saturday, June 1st

10:00-11:30am

Marbletown Community Center

3564 Main Street, Stone Ridge

In-person CFD Death Cafés return to the Hudson Valley in June! Graciously hosted by the Holistic Health Community, this Death Café has no theme and is not a grief support group, but as always—each participant-led conversation expands our understanding of different topics related to dying and death. The aim being to increase awareness of death and to help people make the most of their finite lives.

The event is free to all. Please click here to register.

Myths about Dying

June 11th, 3:00-4:30pm

at Circle Home, 100 Wurts Street

Rev Dr. Robert L. Gram will lead a discussion of various popular myths around dying and death, some of which can interfere with the care for the dying and for those that mourn their passing. For more information and to register (no fee) please click here

Life Matters will be taking a break during July and August. We hope to be back again in September. If you would like to suggest a subject matter that is of particular interest to you that relates to death and dying, feel free to drop us a note at admin@circlehome.org

Click here for more information and to register (no fee)

New! CFD Book Group

Are you interested in getting together with others to discuss books related to dying and death? CFD is thinking about starting a book group to be held at Circle Home. Please fill out a short survey if you are interested, to help us decide the logistics. Click here to take the survey.

Illustration by Freepik

Circle of Friends for the Dying is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is the permanent establishment of a residence where individuals without others to care for them, or for whom home is not an option, will be tended with compassion and dignity during their final days.