This past Sunday evening Kairos was privileged to hostĀ Made Known, a memorial service for those who have experienced infant loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Ā It may sound strange to say, but it was one of my favorite Kairos experiences, obviously not because of the reason for our gathering, but because it was a beautiful expression of encouraging each other in the way of Jesus.
According to the March of Dimes, approximately 15% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage and stillbirth occurs in approximately 1 in 160 pregnancies each year. These numbers mean that many in our community have experienced or been touched by infant loss. The grief of losing a child through infant loss is often misunderstood, undervalued, and unsupported. Parents often grieve alone and in silence. In addition to grieving the loss of the childās life and all the hopes and dreams they had for the child, parents may experience guilt. The grief of losing a child can put relational strain on a coupleās marriage.
Late last spring I received information fromĀ reThinkĀ (the company that produces the curriculum we use in our kidsā programming and many of the resources we provide families) about a new resource they had produced to help faith communities support these grieving parents. The resource is designed to create a service to remember and celebrate these babies who were Made by God and Known by their parents so that they areĀ Made Known. Knowing that many couples within Kairos have experienced infant loss themselves, I purchased the resource and shared it with Megan Brown. Since the stillbirth of Luke, Megan and Mattās first child, Megan has been passionate about and active in supporting other moms who have experienced infant loss.
Megan and I prayed and talked about the materials and the possibility of Kairos hosting aĀ Made KnownĀ event for a couple of months before inviting others into our prayer and conversations. An amazing team was formed, and we committed to hosting this memorial service. Over the past few months, this team prayerfully considered and planned each aspect of the evening and assembled an incredible group of volunteers to host the event.
On Sunday evening, it all came together. Those volunteers on the set-up and environments teams created beautiful flower arrangements, assembled and placed luminaries, arranged chairs and tables. Those on the greeting and group leader teams welcomed those who attended the service, listened to their stories and affirmed their feelings, questions, and emotions. Others shared their own stories of infant loss and grief or lead in worship.
Thatās what made this one of my favorite Kairos experiences. From the beginning of the planning process through the end of the evening, people in this community freely shared the passions, gifts, skills, and time God has given them to create a beautiful experience, to be light in the darkness for the grieving parents and grandparents who attended. As we gathered for ourĀ Made KnownĀ service, this community leaned into who we are called to be, and our joy and hope as followers of Jesus;Ā our true light in the darknessĀ was proclaimed. Praise be to God!
–Ā Jan
Made Known will be an annual event hosted by Kairos and open to anyone in the Atlanta area.
Through the talents and work of Nancy Langham, a mosaic feature is being designed and created. Each family who participated in the memorial service was given the opportunity to give input and select pieces of glass and pottery to be used in the mosaic. This will be a permanent memorial on the Kairos grounds.
Special thanks to the Made Known planning team (Megan Brown, Mary Beth Walker, Meredith Simmons, Katie Gohde, and Sharol Hayner) and to all those whoĀ generously gaveĀ of their time and talents.