REACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
Are you, a friend or a neighbor grieving the loss of a loved one who died a month ago, six months ago or even many years ago? The Session recently approved Bethel offering GriefShare: From Mourning to Joy, which is designed to offer comfort, healing and hope to those who are grieving.
GriefShare features biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Past participants have related how helpful the information and follow-up discussions were to them. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Too often people, including Christians, tend to stuff their grief instead of allowing it to do the God-given work for which it is intended.
Don’t allow fear of what others may think to keep you from what could help you. Confidentiality is very much a part of this program. Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent. You will find encouragement, comfort, and help in grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, other family member, or friend. No matter what the cause of your loved one’s death, this is an opportunity to be around people who understand what you are feeling. You will learn how to recognize the symptoms of being stuck in grief and that you do not need to live in bondage to certain emotions. You will learn valuable information about identifying and facing your new normal in life. You will also learn about renewing your hope for the future. Through a generous donation, the GriefShare workbooks will be available at no cost to participants.
Lenore Johnson is studying the materials and is planning to facilitate the first series of GriefShare gatherings. We are proposing to gather in Fellowship Hall on a series of Saturdays from either 9-11 am or 3-5 pm. (Session dates will be announced depending upon need). Each session will begin with prayer and then checking on how the prior week has gone, sharing highlights from the Bible studies in the workbook, watching the DVD, discussing how ideas in the video may be helpful, and then ending in prayer.
How can you help with this initiative to extent the love and care of Bethel to those in our congregation and to others?
Give us your input on the day of the week and the time.
Commit to attend GriefShare. (Each session is stand-alone and so if you need to miss a week, it is okay.)
Invite a friend, colleague, or neighbor to participate (and attend with them if that would be of support to them)
Volunteer to provide childcare.
Please talk with Lenore Johnson (336-707-9012) to provide input and if you are interested in being a part of GriefShare.