“Can There Be Happiness and Peace in the Aftermath of Tragedy?” – Rev. Sonia Ketchian & Audrey B. Carlson (In-Person & Online)

Please join UUCP for today’s in-person and online service, “Can There Be Happiness and Peace in the Aftermath of Tragedy?” led by Rev. Sonia Ketchian and Special Guest Speaker, Audrey B. Carlson, at 10:30 a.m.

When tragedy turns life upside down, how do we find the courage to breathe again, to heal, and to live with new meaning? Together with our guest speaker, Audrey B. Carlson, we will reflect on the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of peace after loss.

We look forward to seeing you at The Bristal at Englewood!

Flyer By: Liandra Pires

MEET AUDREY B. CARLSON – Can one ever laugh without the pangs of guilt, open your heart to love again and learn to thrive and not merely survive? These are many of the questions we ask ourselves when life as we knew it no longer exists. Our daughter Elizabeth was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, our veterinarian, when she was just twenty-four. There is absolutely nothing to prepare you for such a tragedy. There came the day when I had to make the choice. Was I going to be engulfed in the treacherous waves of despair and fear, or was I going to go on my own journey to find a level of happiness and life with new meaning and purpose?

I want to tell my story with hopes that others who walk in my shoes can come to understand how we are all connected through pain, loss, grief, disappointment and failure. These are wounds that are not easily visible but run deep and leave unforgettable scars. In the words of my mentor Dr. Bernie Siegel, “we need to learn how to take all the — in our life, sprinkle compost on it and watch what grows.”

When I could not breathe, I had to learn how. I explored the invisible intangible spirit world desperate to find answers to unanswered questions. For the first time in my life I felt the need to go back to school. I chose a graduate program of Holistic Health and Healing studies to learn and evolve into the person I needed to be.

My travels took me behind prison walls asking questions about forgiveness and love. I became empowered and fueled through a new understanding and knowledge with what happens in the absence of love. I found my own way to let go of the gnawing anger and not let it manifest in dis-ease knowing full well it potentially would kill me, too. I was not going to let Elizabeth’s murderer kill me and my family. We needed to carve out a new life and not be defined by tragedy and surround ourselves with others of the same mind set.

Audrey is the facilitator of The Hartford Happiness Club which was launched in May of 2014 and continues to grow locally as well as sprout globally. Monthly free meetings are at The Town and Country Club which provides a wonderful place for people to meet, grow and connect. I would love to share my story and how I chose happiness, peace and love in the aftermath of losing our daughter.

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025

Time: 10:30 AM

Location: The Bristal Assisted Living at Englewood
412 S Van Brunt St, Englewood, NJ 07631

Ample parking is available under the building

PLEASE NOTE: You will be required to sign in. Please arrive between 10-10:15 AM. to allow ample time for this process. Please let them know you’re there for the UUCP service which will begin promptly at 10:30 AM.
Social hour: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

OR JOIN US ONLINE…

UUCP IS INVITING YOU TO A SCHEDULED ZOOM MEETING