Missing GRACE

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About this site: "><U>About this site: </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TCF National Conference "><U>TCF National Conference </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Angel of Hope in Maple Grove "><U>Angel of Hope in Maple Grove </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="angel_page.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Angel page"><U>Angel page</U></A></div> <div> <B>Missing GRACE </B></div> <div> <A HREF="parents_murdered_children.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Parents of Murdered Children"><U>Parents of Murdered Children</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="news___books.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News and Books"><U>News and Books</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News Archive"><U>News Archive</U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="25996d10.gif" border=0 width="150" height="209" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Minneapolis Chapter of The Compassionate"><U><U>home</U></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Minneapolis Chapter of The Compassionate Friends</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Minneapolis Chapter of The Compassionate"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Support Resources"><U><B>Support & Resources</B></U></A></div> <div> Missing GRACE </div> <div>  <A NAME="top_right_side"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="http://missinggrace.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://missinggrace.com/"><U><IMG SRC="257907a0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="122" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Missing GRACE programs, bring about awareness of stillbirth and educate on ways to prevent the tragedy of stillbirth. Kaila, the Wurst’s daughter, was stillborn as was our daughter Grace. We join together to bring <U>Hope</U> to the <U>Hearts</U> of those who have known the pain of a pregnancy or infant loss and to help prevent loss for other parents in the future.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Please visit the web site to read more and to fill out your registration form <A HREF="http://www.hopeandheartsrun.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hopeandheartsrun.com"><U><B><U>http://www.hopeandheartsrun.com</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> We appreciate you passing this information onto others and if you would like to have us send you a news release, brochures or flyers to disseminate and promote the event for us, please let us know as soon as possible so we can get those to you in a timely manner.</div> <div> <B>-- </B></div> <div> <I><B>Steve and Candy McVicar</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Co-Directors, Missing GRACE Foundation</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Grieve * Restore * Arise * Commemorate * Educate</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Web </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Palatino" ><A HREF="http://www.MissingGRACE.org " TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.MissingGRACE.org "><U><I><B><U>http://www.MissingGRACE.org</U></B></I></U></A></FONT><A HREF="http://www.MissingGRACE.org " TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.MissingGRACE.org "><U><I><B> </B></I></U></A></div> <div> <I><B>Office 763-497-0709</B></I><B> </B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B><U>Conference Archives:</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> The 2005 GRACE Conference was held April 23rd & 24th in Minneapolis.  </div> <bR> <div> <U>The GRACE Conference: On The Journey:</U></div> <div> Pregnancy, Infant Loss, Infertility, & Adoption</div> <div> GRIEVE*RESTORE*ARISE*COMMEMORATE*EDUCATE</div> <bR> <div> Minneapolis, MN. The Missing GRACE Organization, an international parent bereavement support organization, held the 3rd annual GRACE Conference "On the Journey: Pregnancy, Infant Loss, Infertility & Adoption"  in Minneapolis . The  conferences are unique in that they offer training and support for professionals and bereaved parents, as well as offering a sibling-loss support program. </div> <div> "A Place for G.R.A.C.E - A place for people to Grieve, Restore, Arise, Commemorate and Educate."  in a symbolic ceremony, honoring the lives of babies who have died, with a candle lighting, and addressing the tender hearts of couples experiencing infertility.</div> <bR> <div> The event was created to bring new hope and strength for the journey ahead.</div> <bR> <div> There were classes and attendance of exhibitors including: MN adoption agencies, holistic health providers, bookstores, advocacy groups, and other support groups. </div> <bR> <div> GRACE Kids is support, learning, crafts, games, and music. Created by bereaved parents, licensed educators, and grief counselors with aspects that specifically address youth bereavement for those who have lost a sibling. </div> <bR> <div> The Pregnancy Institute and the Center for Reproductive Medicine, doctors, nurses, and midwives participated in our medical track with CEU designed courses. "A Comprehensive Look at Umbilical Cord Accidents-Preventing Stillbirth" was one of 3 presentations given by Dr. Jason Collins, OB/GYN, and Founder of the Pregnancy Institute. Dr. Bruce Campbell, from the Center for Reproductive Medicine, presented Infertility 101. Other speakers included: Jon and Sylvia Van Regenmorter, Directors of Stepping Stones and authors of Dear God Why Can't We Have A Baby and When the Cradle is Empty, Richard K. Olsen, President of the National Stillbirth Society, Mark Norman, Nutritionist, and Candy McVicar, Executive Director and Founder of the Missing GRACE Organization. Our silent auction included: vacation packages, hotel nights, infertility diagnostic testing, and spa packages. All proceeds directly benefited the Missing GRACE Organization and it's programs. </div> <bR> <div> The Missing GRACE Organization</div> <div> Grieve * Restore * Arise * Commemorate * Educate</div> <div> Email <A HREF="mailto:mcvicar@mninter.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mcvicar@mninter.net"><U>mcvicar@mninter.net</U></A></div> <div> Phone 612-220-8945</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> <div> “A Place for G.R.A.C.E.—A Place for people to Grieve, Restore, Arise, Commemorate and Educate.”</div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Resource Tables</B></div> <bR> <div> <U>Books and Support Materials / Resources</U> <B>links</B>:</div> <bR> <div> A Place to Remember </div> <div> Tapestry Books </div> <div> Wintergreen Press </div> <div> Heart of the City Ministries </div> <bR> <div> <U>Bereavement Support/ Public Service and action</U> <B>links</B>:</div> <bR> <div> IRIS - Infants Remembered In Silence</div> <div> The MISS Foundation <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.missfoundation.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.missfoundation.org"><U>www.missfoundation.org</U></A></FONT></div> <div> The Missing GRACE Organization </div> <div> The National Stillbirth Society </div> <div> Stepping Stones </div> <div> Nickolas' Gift </div> <div> North Height's Lutheran - Pregnancy Loss Support </div> <div> Resolve </div> <bR> <div> <U>Adoption Agencies</U> <B>links</B>:</div> <bR> <div> Bethany Christian Services </div> <div> Lutheran Social Services </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >IARC  </FONT><A HREF="http://www.adoption-minnesota.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.adoption-minnesota.com"><U>www.adoption-minnesota.com</U></A>   <A HREF="mailto:info@adoption-minnesota.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@adoption-minnesota.com"><U>info@adoption-minnesota.com</U></A></div> <div> New Life Family Services </div> <div> Reaching Arms International </div> <div> Childrens Home Society </div> <bR> <div> <U>Medical/Alternative Health</U> <B>links</B>:</div> <bR> <div> Center for Reproductive Medicine </div> <div> The Pregnancy Institute </div> <div> Bachman and Associates - counseling center </div> <div> Fresh and Natural Foods </div> <div> Maple Grove Chiropractic </div> <div> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div> <bR> <div> <U>Also Involved and provided resources:</U> </div> <bR> <div> Dave Thomas Foundation </div> <div> Shoshannah's Hope</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Sherokee Ilse</U></B><B> </B>founder of the Infant and Pregnancy Loss Center - (who brought the Angel of Hope to Maple Grove.)</div> <div> Bereaved Parent, International Speaker and Author of <I>Empty Arms</I> and many other books.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.wintergreenpress.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wintergreenpress.com/"><U><B><U>http://www.wintergreenpress.com/</U></B></U></A></div> <div> Mission: To help improve the care families receive during and after the death of their child or loved one of any age. We commit to publish and distribute sensitive, quality products, to respond as soon as possible, and to network and help locate resources to aid grieving families and the care providers who serve them. Wintergreen Press is located in Minnesota. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Jon and Sylvia Van Regenmorter</U></B></div> <div> <B>Stepping Stones </B></div> <div> Since1996, Rev. John Van Regenmorter and his wife, Sylvia, have been the directors of Stepping Stones. They are co-authors of two books, <I>Dear God, Why Can't We Have a Baby?</I> (Baker Book House, 1986), and <I>When the Cradle is Empty: Answering Tough Questions About Infertility</I> (scheduled for publication by Focus on the Family, April 2004). The Van Regenmorters travel across the country and speak about infertility and adoption, and have made several appearances on <I>The 700 Club.</I></div> <div> John and Sylvia experienced infertility for the first ten years of their marriage. The Van Regenmorters' two oldest children were adopted through Bethany Christian Services. </div> <bR> <div> <B>The Bethany Connection</B></div> <div> In 1997, Stepping Stones became a ministry of Bethany Christian Services, a not-for-profit, Christian adoption and family services agency with more than 75 locations in the United States and ministries in 15 other countries. Rev. Van Regenmorter also serves as chaplain for Bethany's offices in Michigan.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW.nsf/0/ABABCF75B84C6F0E85256D630065D9B4" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW"><U><U>http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW.nsf/0/ABABCF75B84C6F0E85256D630065D9B4</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW.nsf/0/13F2004FABF1032785256CE2006E38F3?OpenDocument" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW"><U><U>http://www.bethany.org/A55798/bethanyWWW.nsf/0/13F2004FABF1032785256CE2006E38F3?OpenDocument</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Dr. Jason Collins, MD., OB/GYN</U></B></div> <div> The Pregnancy Institute, Inc., is a non-profit organization created to study normal pregnancies. It is designed to promote the likelihood of healthier pregnancies resulting in well monitored, full-term live births. Dr. Collins started this institute and has devoted more than 20 years to the research of stillbirth.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.preginst.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.preginst.com/"><U><B><U>http://www.preginst.com/</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Richard Olsen</U></B></div> <div> Founder and President of The National Stillbirth Society</div> <div> Father to only daughter, Camille who was stillborn at 40 weeks gestation.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.stillnomore.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.stillnomore.org/"><U><B><U>http://www.stillnomore.org/</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Candy and Stephen McVicar</B></div> <div> <B>Parents to Grace McVicar, only child who was stillborn December 20, 2001</B></div> <div> <B>Candy is the Founder and President of The Missing Grace Organization</B></div> <div> The Missing Grace Organization was formed to provide support and resources to parents of stillborn babies and to help them bring about a positive change in their local medical communities through facilitating programs for awareness and prevention of stillbirth. The mission of The Missing GRACE Organization is to help parents in their journey as they Grieve * Restore * Arise * Commemorate * Educate.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.missinggrace.org/indexcalendar.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.missinggrace.org/indexcalenda"><U><U>http://www.MissingGRACE.org</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.MissingGrace.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.MissingGrace.com"><U><U>http://www.MissingGrace.com</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Panelists:</U></B></I></div> <div> Representatives from Adoption Agencies provided information on their Agency and instructions on how to start the adoption process.</div> <bR> <div> There were several panelists who spoke about their personal experience with infertility and loss. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Special Music/ Drama;</U></B></div> <div> <B>Dan and Sandy Adler with Heart of the City Ministries</B></div> <div> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <div> <B>The Spirit Child</B></div> <div> It is because mine is a spirit child that I have written these words.</div> <div> He lived only briefly, but what a beautiful child he was.  I cannot open my eyes to see his smile.  I close my eyes and listen to my heart, for it is there that he lives.  I must dig deeper inside myself to a place that I never knew existed to feel the joy this child brought.  No one paid much attention--they could not see nor hear him.  But to his parents whose lives were touched so deeply by his existence, his purpose is as meaningful as any child's.  They listen very closely to hear him say, "Don't worry, I will always be with you and I will always be safe."</div> <div> -Laura Weeks</div> <div> TCF, Cape Cod, MA</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Minneapolis Chapter of The Compassionate"><U><U>home</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#top_right_side" TITLE="Missing GRACE "><U>top of page</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>