Under the rainbow

MISCARRIAGE, infant loss and infertility sadly will be issues that some people have journeyed through either personally or through loved ones. In Glasgow, Judith Keefe and her husband Jonathan were told at a routine appointment that their baby seemed to have no heartbeat.

A hospital scan an hour later would confirm this, and 48 hours later, Judith delivered their first baby at 21 weeks – a tiny baby girl they called Charis. This unimaginable loss, experienced by so many in Scotland, would mark the beginning of a new journey of grieving and the testing of their faith.

Judith and her husband went on to welcome three healthy children in the following years but also lived through another three miscarriages. During this time it became apparent to Judith that there was a lack of Christian resources on miscarriage, infant loss and infertility. She and her husband also found that there was a lack of understanding of these issues within the church and often people did not know how to respond with compassion and love.

While grieving, Judith became convinced of the need for a reliable and Biblical resource around miscarriage, infant loss and infertility; to support those directly affected but also to equip family and friends and those pastoring others. After prayer, sharing with friends and then receiving a financial start up gift from a church to help cover child care costs, it was clear this was something God wanted Judith to pursue.

In 2011, Under the Rainbow (UtR) was launched as an online resource and became a ministry of Rutherford House in 2015.

Rutherford House, now Rutherford Centre for Reformed Theology, exists to promote orthodox Christianity and to help people to think Biblically and theologically. To accomplish this, their vision is to encourage scholarship and writing, to educate and train church leaders and to promote evangelical church life across Scotland.

UtR has grown over the years and includes lived experiences by men and women, alongside Bible studies, medical information and practical advice for families and carers. It is found entirely online and so is readily accessible. Central to the ethos of this resource is that it is underpinned by Biblical truths surrounding loss. Most recently the site now includes a video focusing on men and grieving, and features the story of Andy, whose son Jacob died soon after birth.

The platform has received much support from various contributors representing a breadth of denominations. Ministers, retired ministers, full-time Christian workers, policemen, medics, allied health professionals, stay-at-home parents and foster carers have all contributed to the resource. Judith’s husband, who works as minister in Robroyston and as a Prison Chaplain in HMP Barlinnie, is one of the many contributors.

Reflecting on other new resources, Judith says: “I can honestly say the pain of child loss and the ache of disappointment never got any easier with subsequent losses, but having people to speak to about our bereavement and meeting others who have experienced similar difficulties has been so helpful, especially in those earlier years when the pain was raw. Judith and her husband have both personally benefitted from attending Hope Deferred conferences in past years. Hope Deferred is a nondenominational organisation founded by Alistair and Valerie McInnes. A team of Christians who have personal and professional experience of infant loss, miscarriage, infertility, fertility treatment and adoption run these conferences. ¤ UtR continues to develop, and if you would like to know more or perhaps contribute to the resource, you can email Judith at admin@undertherainbow.org.uk.

This article appears in the August 2020 Issue of Life and Work

Click here to view the article in the magazine.

To view other articles in this issue Click here.

If you would like to view other issues of Life and Work, you can see the full archive here.