WALKING TOGETHER THROUGH JOY AND GRIEF

As a church family, one of the most beautiful things we get to do is walk with one another through the seasons of life. Whether it’s the joy of a newborn child, the grief of losing a loved one, or the quiet fear of a hospital stay - God has called us to journey together.

Yet, every so often, someone in our congregation asks: “Why didn’t the church announce that birth?” “How come I didn’t hear about the funeral?” “Why weren’t the pastors there when my friend was in the hospital?”

These are important questions, and they come from a place of love. They reflect a desire for deeper care and connection. But the answer is not always as simple as it seems.

Sometimes, the family chooses not to make an announcement. Grief can be private, and not everyone is ready to share their sorrow publicly. The same goes for newborns - some parents prefer to wait before announcing, while others may just be adjusting to a new season of exhaustion and change. As a church, we want to respect their space, while still being ready to support them when they’re ready to receive it.

There are also times when the pastors and leaders were simply not aware. If a church member was hospitalised but no one informed us, it’s not that we don’t care - it’s that we didn’t know. We deeply value every opportunity to pray with and care for our people, but we do rely on our church community to help us stay informed.

So how can we grow as a church family that truly walks together? We can start by reaching out. If you’re going through a big life moment - birth, illness, loss, or even a celebration - let your CG leader or the church office know. Or if you know of someone else who might be too overwhelmed to share, offer to share on their behalf (with permission).

We can also grow in compassion. Not everyone processes emotions or grief the same way. Let’s be quick to support, slow to assume, and always ready to offer love.

Above all, let’s keep showing up for one another - not just when things go wrong, but in the quiet, ordinary days too. Because the church isn’t just a building where we meet once a week. It’s a spiritual family where we carry each other’s burdens, celebrate each other’s joys, and gently remind one another: You are not alone.

Let’s continue to be a church that reflects the heart of Christ - walking together through life and death, in love.

Being His Missional Disciple,

Pastor Forest