Monday, October 18 9th Annual Community of Caregivers Conference Caregivers and Transitions: Navigating the Land of Uncertainty 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Lacy ABC Br. James Zullo, FSC, PhD As Caregivers we are constantly responding and reacting to transitions — whether our own or those of the people we serve. The external evidence of these transitions is often visible, however, much of the work of moving through transitions involves the inner world of psychological and spiritual perspectives. In assessing transitions in human life and organizations we recognize that all transitions begin with an ending; and we hope they end in a new beginning. While the ending may be highly emotional, and the beginning not clear, it is the crucial time and space in-between, the land of uncertainty, that holds the heart and soul of transition. Transitions often challenge us to face what is ending, to name the underlying losses, and to undergo the grieving process. There are normal and predictable periods of transition when endings and beginnings constitute the flow of human life, such as, adolescence, early adulthood, midlife and the senior years. But there are also transitions that are occasioned by untimely or unanticipated life events, such as serious physical illness, death of a loved one, downsizing of an organization or even terrorist activity. The challenge in a time of transition is to trust the process. CEU credits are availabe for this program. Social Work - 5.5 Nursing - 5 Clergy - 0.6 $80 Early registration has been extended to Sept. 21, $95 after Registration includes the program and lunch Conference Co-Sponsors Partnering Sponsors Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan Lunch Sponsor John E. Fetzer Institute, Inc. Supporting Sponsors Battle Creek Health System Borgess Medical Center Congregation of St. Joseph Pine Rest Kalamazoo Clinic Redmond Funeral Homes United Church of Christ, SW MI Conf