On two Wednesday evenings in June, participants at Saint Philip’s gathered for a workshop led by The Rev’d Dr. Fr Frank Williams to focus on the practice and power of laments. The workshop aimed to equip individuals with tools to understand and express their feelings, ultimately guiding them toward hope.

The workshop began by delving into the meaning and common structure of laments. Participants explored various examples, from the Psalms of Lament and the Book of Lamentations to contemporary Laments.

A profoundly impactful aspect of the workshop was the opportunity for participants to write and share their own laments.

The sharing of Laments written by participants, both of personal losses and grief, and communal laments about our national concerns, were deep and meaningful, expressive of the pain and suffering participants were feeling.

Jamie, a participant in the workshop, shared a reflection on his experience:

“I am grateful to Saint Philip’s for hosting the Lament workshop, which focused on the Psalms of lament as a way to process grief. My mom died when I was in high school over 17 years ago from breast cancer when I was 17 years old, and I continue on this journey to process and reflect on it. As a 34-year-old man, I am at the point now where I am alive longer without her than with her.

“Grief comes at unexpected times—sometimes during joyous moments, like getting married and wishing for her presence. Most often, though, it comes during difficult moments where I wish that she were here. I appreciate this look to ancient wisdom of Christianity and the Psalms of lamentation—to sit with grief, sadness, and grapple with and learn from it. This may be in contrast to some parts of a modern-day culture that might look to the goal of life as to remove sadness as quickly as possible.

“This same week I was reading From Union Square to Rome by Dorothy Day, and it reminded me that she asked for a Bible while in jail for women’s suffrage activism in 1917—as she knew it would be the only book allowed—and she ended up reading most often the Psalms in it for comfort. St. Augustine posted the Psalms of lament around his room while he was dying in the 423 C.E.

“I feel grateful for this reminder of this ancient wisdom resource we have in the Psalms that has remained useful to people for millennia, and a source of hope as we experience the inevitable sadness that accompanies life.”