
Join us Saturdays from 6:00pm – 8:00pm on February 22nd – April 12th at Auburn Hills Presbyterian Church
Grief is a part of life. But how many of us struggle to express our sorrows in a healthy way? In this 8 week group, we’ll use the medium of film to help understand the importance of lament and find ways to bring our sadness to God and to each other in ways that will help us to heal. This group is for anyone who has experienced loss or trauma of any kind, or would like to grow in your ability to support others who are grieving. See below for the schedule and topics. The format of the group will be viewing a film together one week, and then discussing the principal themes of the film the following week.
For more details, contact Trevor Still at tstillin@outlook.com.
February 22nd: Film Viewing, A Monster Calls
March 1st: Discussion: Losing a loved one
March 8th: Film Viewing, Encanto
March 15th: Discussion: Generational trauma
March 22nd: Film Viewing: Ordinary People
March 29th: Discussion: Survivor’s guilt (note: this film also touches on suicidal thoughts)
April 5th: Film Viewing, Inside Out
April 12th: Discussion: Embracing the emotions of grief
** See below the registration form for more details about each film
Contact Us
Film Descriptions
A Monster Calls 2016 (PG-13)
Twelve-year-old Connor O’ Malley has a terminally ill mother and feels that he should be punished for not being able to care for his mother. Conner is visited several times by a yew tree who tells Conner three stories and tells Conner that at the end of their visits, Conner will tell the truth of a recurring nightmare that Conner has been having. Conner learns through these experiences that grief can make us feel anger, that we need to speak the truth of our fear and pain in order to find healing. The movie touches on the loss of a parent. Subplots talk about bullying and anger.
Encanto 2021 (PG)
Mirabel lives with her family in a magical house. Mirabel’s family all have magical gifts except Mirabel who does not. Before Mirabel was born, Mirabel’s Abuela, and Abuelo fled persecution in their hometown. Abuelo was murdered, leaving behind Abuela and her triplets. The movie focuses on the trauma that the family suffered from the murder of Abuelo and how the trauma had been passed down through the family members, who feel that each one must be perfect for Abuela. Our grief, when not properly lamented and dealt with, can be passed down to future generations. When Abuela finally deals with the pain, there is reconciliation within the family.
Inside Out 2015 (PG)
Riley is a 12-year-old girl whose family is moving from Minnesota to San Francisco. Riley has to leave her home, friends, and way of life and start a new life in a new place. The film looks at the different emotions who control Riley through headquarters. The movie focuses on how Riley’s joy emotion tries to keep Sadness from helping Riley. As Riley suppresses her sadness, Riley begins to emotionally shut down and isolate herself from her family. The movie focuses on how we must allow ourselves to feel sadness, we cannot always be strong enough to handle our sorrows. It was when Riley allowed herself to feel sadness that healing came.
Ordinary People 1980 (R)
Conrad is a high schooler in suburban Chicago who survived a boating accident. Though Conrad survived, Conrad’s older brother did not and drowned in Lake Michigan. Conrad is racked by survivor’s guild and attempted suicide. In response to the suicide attempt Conrad’s father has set up an appointment with a psychologist, Dr. Berger. Dr. Berger helps Connor through is trauma and explores not only the boating accident and the suicide attempt, but also Conrad’s home environment which has been tumultuous since the death of the brother. Conrad’s mother blames Conrad for the brother’s death and cannot relate to what Conrad is struggling with. This movie deals with suicide and mental illness. Extra support may need to be given to people after this movie.