Monthly Newsletter | July 2024

To Our Beautiful Community...

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun has already swept its longest path across our skies - the Summer solstice bestowing its precious gifts of nourishment, light, hope and growth. We are swirling in an important season of honoring the light of the sun and the light within us.

I am reminded of the journeys we are on as death-workers and the light we carry forth inside us. Each of us encountering moments of intensity, then evolution, then rest; caught in an ebb and flow which is mirrored in the movements of our earth and sun. And as we linger in the energy of the Summer solstice, I am reminded of the importance of turning inward to nourish the "seeds" that were planted in spring. What patience is required of you in this time of growth? What dreams and hopes have you sowed?

More beautiful reminders from brother Sun:

We can nurture others, just as the Sun nurtures us
There is hope in the world, and our light can spread far and wide to inspire others
There are times to grow, times to pause, times to let go and times to learn
Just as we trust the Sun will rise each day, we can trust in the cleansing of new beginnings
Nature has more to teach us about life and death than we can ever possibly know

Honoring the light within each of you,

Rachel Cao

♥

"Blazing in gold and quenching in purple,
Leaping like leopards to the sky,
Then at the feet of the old horizon
Laying her spotted face, to die;"

EMILY DICKINSON

We have SO MANY exciting learning opportunities this summer!

The Dementia Journey

Working with what people have left... Not what they've lost. This course will assist you in building your end-of-life education and dementia knowledge through Dementia Care Principles, and empowering you with foundational skills.

Registration Closes 7/5/24!

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Pediatric Death

Through this 4-week offering, we will dig into stories of pediatric death and we'll introduce you to the benefits of Pediatric Palliative Care. Together, we will examine the complexity of family dynamics and the sibling experience, and explore the breadth and depth of grief for bereaved families.

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Voluntarily Stopping Eating & Drinking

Enhance your skills and doula practice in learning how to navigate the complexities of this topic. In this course, we cover the legalities, ethics, why people choose this method, and practical tips for working with VSED clients as a doula.

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Practices For Death

Ancient and Modern, Faith-based and Secular - explore practices for death from different traditions and cultures. Practices for death help create a healthy relationship with our mortality so we may be more ready and less fearful when death comes.

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Grace & Grief Vigils

Join us for these complimentary monthly gatherings where we will tend the hard parts of our personal and collective grief through the soft expression of intentional space, guiding invocations, imaginal activities and tender closings.

July's Theme: Strengthening our Muscle of Grace & Joy in a World of so Much Grief

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Remember Darthula Young and Rooted in Dignity from May's Newsletter?

We are celebrating with them because they were recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Maximus Foundation for their incredible work in the community! We love seeing inclusion and community death care recognized and uplifted.

Read the full press release HERE. 🎉