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january, 2026

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january 2026

12jan12:00 pm– 2:00 pmOIFN Book Club

Event Details

OIFN Book Club

This casual club offers a chance to come together to share ideas and conversation with people, both in person and online.

We invite comments, not only on the book or article we are discussing, but also on the general topic and on others’ Posts.

It does not require any long-term commitment and is open to anyone who would like to attend.
Come to as many or as few meetings as you like.

Click here to join the OIFN Book Club Facebook Group.

The next OIFN Book Club will be on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 12:00pm

via Zoom Video Conferencing

The topic for this discussion is the relationship of grief and loss to our work and experiences. And although this can feel like a very heavy topic, we hope it will actually enlighten and strengthen us through increased understanding of how this can impact people supported and those offering support.

Below are several resources that we hope are helpful to this discussion and as always, we welcome ones you may wish to share.

Resources

From Meeting the Challenge, Susannah Joyce

Grief and Loss

FLO: “Do people see that it is not just about the individual losses in the person’s life, but that the grief is cumulative? Each loss builds on the next”.

Beth Barol, Florence Gelo and Susannah Joyce, “Delving Deeper: Experiences In Using Biographical Timelines”, The Pennsylvania Journal on Positive Approaches, Vol. 4, # 2, 2002

Within our western culture in general, we do not seem to have mastered how to support one another really well through grief and loss. Frequently, until someone has had a significant loss, there is only a superficial understanding about what a grieving person may be experiencing. Perhaps that is unavoidable.

We often put conditions around grieving, such as a “suitable” length of time in which to mourn, “appropriate” behaviour during the grieving period, and judgements regarding the nature and importance of the relationship. For example, people who are not animal lovers will sometimes openly disparage another’s grief over a pet.

Loss through death is managed more professionally and distantly now. We are no longer “laid out” in the parlour and then brought to the neighbouring churchyard for burial. And if we are not careful, grief therapy, while very helpful in some forms, can reduce the confidence and capacity of friends and family to feel that they can be of help.

We hope that you can join us!

Time

(Monday) 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST

Location

Zoom Video Conferencing

Organizer

Ontario Independent Facilitation Network

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