Description of the Ministry
GriefShare is a 13 week video seminar and support group designed to minister to those who have lost a loved one to death. Each week is "self-contained," so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. View a promo video for GriefShare here: http://www.vimeo.com/713584
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.
GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements: Weekly video seminars with experts, discussion group with focus and workbook-based personal study.
Weekly Video Seminars
GriefShare Video sessions are designed to help you successfully travel the journey from mourning to joy.
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, dramatic reenactments, on-location video and real-life stories of people who have experienced the death of a loved one. Here is a list of the weekly topics:
Living With Grief: This session introduces you to GriefShare. It also explains what living with grief is like, why you shouldn’t be ashamed of your grief and why you shouldn’t rush through your healing.
The Journey of Grief: This session prepares you for what to expect along the journey of grief. At the same time, it emphasizes that everyone’s journey is unique and warns against comparing grief experiences.
The Effects of Grief: You’re probably surprised at how debilitating grief is. This session explains that this is normal and suggests practical ways to find comfort.
When Your Spouse Dies: If you’ve lost your spouse, this session helps you think through the critical issues involved in your healing. It also begins preparing you to face the difficult transition into a new reality without your spouse.
Your Family & Grief: This session shares how to keep your family afloat when its members are drowning in grief. It also presents some of the unique issues involved if you’re grieving the death of a child.
Why? Just because God doesn’t answer all of your questions doesn’t mean He won’t answer any of them. This session answers the “Why” questions and encourages you to begin asking other questions as well.
The Uniqueness of Grief, Part 1: This session explores how the causes of, and your responses to, your loved one’s death affect your grief. Topics addressed include suicide, long-term illness, murder and false guilt.
The Uniqueness of Grief, Part 2: Relationships, past and present, affect your grief. This session helps you address insensitive comforters and unresolved conflict with a deceased loved one.
God's Prescription For Grief: The bereaved are often overwhelmed by the advice they receive from others. And often, what goes unnoticed is what God says about healing. This session tells you how to position yourself to experience God’s healing.
Stuck in Grief: It’s easy to get stuck along the journey of grief, This session explains how to keep moving on the path to healing.
Top 20 Lessons of Grief, Part 1: In this session, those who’ve walked the journey of grief will share what they’ve learned and how they’ve grown from their grief experience.
Top 20 Lessons of Grief, Part 2: In this session you’ll hear the most significant lessons that can be learned during grief.
Heaven: This session gives practical advice on how to tap into, and hold onto, the source of hope in this disappointing world.
GriefShare meetings are on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Room 303. For more information, please call the church office or visit the GriefShare website at www.griefshare.org
