As mamas, every so often one or more of our children inspires us to step outside of our comfort zones…for them, for ourselves, for others. You might call it a mission, or a passion, a calling, or a life’s work. No matter what you call it, though, it changes the mama, and it changes the community around her.
I had the privilege of chatting with three such brave mamas recently, whose non-profit organization was inspired by the all-too-brief lives of their precious babies. Gathering Hope was co-founded by Peyton Lauderdale and Carol Vantine in 2017 as a ministry to serve and support mamas walking through the indescribable grief of miscarriage and infant loss. Both mamas who suffered the loss of a baby, they both also developed a deep longing to support other mamas in their own healing journeys after a similar loss.
As women of strong Christian faith, both Peyton and Carol described how they’ve witnessed God’s hand orchestrating and providing for even the smallest of details as they have poured their hearts into this organization to make it what it is today. Born out of deep love and deep grief, Gathering Hope is now in its fourth year and second state of serving grieving mamas and reminding them that they are not alone in the darkness.
An annual event that began in Fort Worth, Texas, Gathering Hope is an opportunity for mamas who have survived miscarriage and infant loss to discover that they are not alone, to hear a message of hope and encouragement, and to share their stories if they so choose. After attending one such event in Fort Worth, Melina Moses felt a similar pull to walk alongside grieving mamas. Having lost triplets at 12 weeks gestation, Melina immediately recognized the need to expand Gathering Hope outside of the Fort Worth area.
It wouldn’t be long before she got the opportunity to do so. Melina’s husband was relocated to Oklahoma City, and she took the reins in beginning to plan a Gathering Hope here! And so, for the first time, Gathering Hope will be hosting an annual event here in the Oklahoma City area this fall. Each event begins with a time for worship, followed by a facilitated small group time to allow mamas the opportunity to honor their baby and to share their story.
No mama is obligated to share; there is only a safe and non-judgmental space created to allow for the opportunity. There is no comparison of grief, but instead a genuine desire to honor each life lost, that was loved, wanted, and wept over.
The event also includes two guest speakers to offer a message of hope and encouragement. The Gathering Hope team is thrilled to welcome back keynote speaker Sarah Philpott, author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss. Brittany Martin, local speaker and founder of the Jaxon Kade Foundation, will also speak.
This year, the Gathering Hope event will be held in Moore, Oklahoma, on October 26, 2019, from 4-7 pm. This event is completely free for all attendees, but registration is required! You can register here. You are welcome to bring a friend or support person along with you, just make sure to register both attendees!
Each of these mamas…the founders, leaders, and speakers…would likely tell you in humility that there is nothing extraordinary about them. They would probably tell you that they are just like you. Mamas with grief and doubts and fears that sometimes threaten to swallow you whole. The only difference is that they have walked through the darkest valleys of miscarriage and infant loss, and God has restored their hope. And they want to offer it to you, too.
