Grieving Parents Retreat
formerly known as the HOPE Retreat
November 21-23, 2025
Are you grieving the loss of a child?
Muskoka Bible Centre is offering a biblical, Christ-centred retreat for grieving parents. The retreat is built upon Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Practical teaching, interactive discussion, meaningful music and small retreat size (maximum 24) all work together to help hurting parents find perspective, healing and hope. This retreat is designed for couples or single parents who come with support.
Our hosts, David and Lisa Elliott, lost their 19 year old son, Ben, to leukemia in 2009. They are not grief experts. Rather, they come to this retreat as wounded healers. Over the course of five teaching sessions they cover a wide variety of topics such as:
- Caring for oneself after the death of a child
- Managing varied relationships in the midst of grief
- Releasing the past in order to reinvest in the future
- Navigating challenging emotions such as guilt, regret and shame
- Learning to put our hope in the Lord in order to heal
If you have any questions, please reach out to Shelagh Raymer at shelagh.raymer@muskokabible.com
Teachers
David & Lisa Elliott
Read about David & Lisa Elliott
David and Lisa Elliott are happily married and have served together in pastoral ministry for over 40 years. They have been blessed with 4 children (3 on earth, 1 in heaven). Since the death of their son, they have facilitated 20+ grief support groups. Lisa is the author of two award-winning, grief-related books: The Ben Ripple; Choosing to Live through Loss with Purpose and Dancing in the Rain; One Family’s Journey through Grief and Loss.
Visit Lisa at: lisaelliottstraightfromtheheart.wordpress.com
Weekend Itinerary
Friday
Registration begins at 4pm, followed by dinner at 5:30pm.
EVENING – Session 1 – Be (The effects of losing a child)
how losing a child affects us
Saturday
MORNING – Session 2 – Be You (Self-care) – caring for yourself after the loss of a child
BREAK
Session 2 – Be You (continued)
AFTERNOON – Session 3 – Be Together (Marriage and Family) – dealing with the uniqueness of grief within your marriage and family
EVENING – Session 4 – Be Aware (Others) – managing relationships with others as you grieve)
Sunday
MORNING – Session 5 – Be Still (God) – connecting with God during your grief
Accommodations
Please refer to our website for accommodation selections*. 20% discount on accommodations for MBC retreats.
All prices are plus HST
Meals & Program
Program, 6 meals and 2 snacks — $316.70/person.
All prices are plus HST
Program Only
$150/person.
All prices are plus HST
* Accommodation options are subject to availability. Please call the office at 705-789-0123 if you have any questions.
Media Kit
If you need any promotional material to share, you can download posters and slides from the links below.
