Grief
share

Women's Grief share - grief support group

your journey from mourning to joy

- led by Misty pace and Amber White

How GriefShare Works (https://www.griefshare.org/)

We are pleased that you may be considering joining our support group. Note that we are only offering it to women at this time, but hope that it will grow into a resource for everyone. It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve probably found there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel.

This can be a confusing time when you feel isolated and have many questions about things you’ve never faced before.

- “Going to GriefShare feels like having warm arms wrapped around you when you’re shivering.”
- “GriefShare helped me to know I am not alone.“

GriefShare meets on Thursday evenings @ 5:30 PM for 13 weeks in the HCC basement. The fall study started on August 22nd. We meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Sessions are offered each fall and spring. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:

Video seminar with experts

Each week your GriefShare group will watch a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments, and on-location video.

Support group discussion with focus

After viewing the video, you and the other group members will spend time as a support group, discussing what was presented in that week’s video seminar and what is going on in your lives.

Personal study and reflection

During the week you will have the opportunity to use your workbook for further personal study of the grieving process and to help sort out your emotions through journaling. Your group will spend time discussing questions and comments from the workbook study.

Who should come … who should not

GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. We understand that there are other losses in life that create feelings of grief. You might be experiencing a job loss, a divorce, estrangement from a child, or the loss of friends because of a move. This grief is real, but it is not the kind of grief discussed in GriefShare sessions. We encourage you to ask a pastor, counselor, or church leader for help in finding resources that will be of specific help in your situation.

When to join a GriefShare group

You are welcome to begin attending the GriefShare group at any session. Each is “self-contained,” so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. You will be able to continue with GriefShare through the next 13-week cycle and view any of the videos you have not seen.

Registration

To help with planning and the distribution of materials, we ask that you let us know if you plan to attend! Please visit https://www.griefshare.org/groups/182237 to find additional information about our group and how you can reach out to us! We look forward to hearing from you!

Weekly session topics

Each week your group will watch a video seminar on DVD. The GriefShare videos cover topics essential to your recovery from the hurt of grief and loss. The videos are produced in a compelling television magazine format and feature interviews with grief recovery experts, mini-dramas, on-location video, and real-life stories of people who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Here is a snapshot of key themes found in each of the 13 GriefShare session videos.

1. Is This Normal?

You’ll discover why your grief experience is harder than you imagined
Why the intensity and duration of your emotions are normal and appropriate
Despite how you feel right now, there is reason for hope

2. Challenges of Grief

You’ll learn more eye-opening reasons why your pain is so overwhelming
Some of the overlooked, yet common, effects grief has on your mind, body, and spirit
How to get things done when you don’t feel like you have any energy

3. The Journey of Grief – Part One

You’ll learn helpful goals to set on your journey of grief
How to deal with those who try to rush you through your grief
How long the journey of grief typically lasts

4. The Journey of Grief – Part Two

You’ll learn why it’s important to put effort into your healing
How the events surrounding your loved one’s death affect your grief
The best ways to deal with your loved one’s belongings

5. Grief and Your Relationships

You’ll find out how the death of a loved one affects your friendships
Why solitude can be a blessing and a curse
How to deal with friends who don’t understand your grief

6. Why?

This session demonstrates that God wants you to share your feelings with Him
Why being honest with God is an expression of faith
What God has to say to you about your “why” questions

7. Guilt and Anger

You’ll learn how to deal with false guilt
How to grieve conflicted relationships
How to handle grief-related anger

8. Complicating Factors

You’ll begin to see how traumatic experiences affect grief
How to deal with nightmares and flashbacks
How your thinking affects your emotions

9. Stuck

You’ll discover how to prevent getting stuck in grief
Common misconceptions that hinder healing
Why your path to healing isn’t always smooth

10. Lessons of Grief – Part One

You’ll become aware of an often-overlooked reason that grief is so painful
Why going to church can be so difficult
The benefits of helping others

11. Lessons of Grief – Part Two

This session provides a more complete picture of who you are now that your loved one is gone
Why no one grieves perfectly
What grief can teach you about relationships

12. Heaven

Session 12 answers questions about heaven and the afterlife, such as what heaven is like
Whether you should communicate with your deceased loved one
Whether near-death experiences are reliable descriptions of heaven
And many more

13. What Do I Live for Now?

You’ll learn why moving forward is a necessity
Why it’s a process
Why peace and pain will always coexist

If you have questions please let us know! We look forward to the next session and pray that the Lord will bring those who need encouragement and support!

GriefShare

Grief share