GriefShare
It hurts to lose someone, find help at here. GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
GriefShare, 12:00 p.m., January 6 - 30 March 2023 in the Still Administration building conference room. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one and would like to be part of this faith-focused response to grief, please call the office at 941-355-2798.
GriefShare - JoAnne’s Story
When We Gather
Participants often comment that they look forward to these meetings, as if it was their second family who understands the mix of emotions they are experiencing. Be prompt, but don't miss a week even if you are running late.
GriefShare is an important outreach to the community. It is based upon the Bible and the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The participants come from all walks of life and from many different religious backgrounds. We do not discuss religious doctrine nor politics. We focus on the ways faith in God can help heal and deal with each person's personal loss.
GriefShare Meetings
GriefShare meetings include a video seminar and group discussion. A GriefShare workbook assists you with note-taking and journaling. The videos feature experts on grief recovery and real-life stories of people who have experienced losses like yours. After the video, there’s discussion time to help process what you’ve heard.
Anyone can join the GriefShare series even after the first session; all videos and discussion topics stand on their own merit, where you do not need to have viewed the prior material to find benefit from that week's video & discussion. There is a personal workbook (over 100 pages) that will help you heal faster when you use this tool. To cover our costs, we ask for a $15 donation for the workbook.
Weekly Session Topics
These seminars are for anyone: both church members and even those who don’t have a relationship with Jesus. 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.
· 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
· 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
· 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
· 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
· 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
· 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
· You’ll learn how to deal with false guilt
· How to grieve conflicted relationships
· How to handle grief-related anger
· You’ll begin to see how traumatic experiences affect grief
· How to deal with nightmares and flashbacks
· How your thinking affects your emotions
· You’ll discover how to prevent getting stuck in grief
· Common misconceptions that hinder healing
· Why your path to healing isn’t always smooth
· 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
· See 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
· Get answers to 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
· You’ll learn why moving forward is a necessity
· Why it’s a process
· Why peace and pain will always coexist
Surviving The Holidays
The holiday season may be different if you are grieving the death of a loved one. Facing a holiday can be more difficult than your friends and even family members may realize. Get some help through the “Surviving the Holidays” video & discussion seminar.
This is event is free of charge & open to the public, so if you know someone who might benefit, please invite them to attend or bring them with you. No need to formally register for this event, but it helps us to plan for seating & refreshments. Call the church office (355-2798) for more information. DAILY DEVOTIONS for strength before & during the holidays...