Grief is an emotion that manifests itself in as many ways as there are people going through the process.
What affects one person may not be the same for another. Is there a right way and a wrong way to grieve?
When you feel like you may need help coping with the grieving process, a program new to the area may be good place to start.
A non-denominational support group, Grief Share is a 13-week, Christ-centred program that uses videos, group discussion and a personal workbook to help on the journey from grief to healing and hope. It is offered three times a year, with the next session starting Sept. 15.
Nina Van Kesteren and Janie Anderson brought the program to Gregory Drive Alliance Church in Chatham and said response has been very positive.
“We started last April and have finished four complete sessions. Our next one starts in September,” Van Kesteren said.
Both women have experience with grief and loss and know what it means to have someone walk with you through your grief and know you are not alone.
“We have eight to 12 participants each session and we really see a difference; a progression from the first to the 13th session,” Anderson said. “They learn that they are normal and what they are feeling is OK. Grief manifests in many symptoms, both emotional and physical.”
Anderson said being in a small, caring group is more relaxed for participants and encourages good conversation and discussion.
“ People learn its OK to grieve and then give themselves permission to do so and see a light at the end of the tunnel,” she added. “If you’ve lost a spouse, you might think you don’t want to burden to your children with your grief. This group is a place where you can say what you want to say and not worry about what people think or their reactions.”
With three facilitators at the sessions, if there are more participants and there is a need to break into smaller discussion groups, Van Kesteren said they are able to do that, or allow someone having difficulty to break off from the group and talk one-on-one.
The Grief Share videos feature experts, ministers and Christian counsellors discussing grief and recovery subjects helpful to people. Session include topics such as Is This Normal, Guilt and Anger, and Complicating Factors such as traumatic experiences and nightmares/flashbacks.
The final session is titled, What Do I Live For Now? It talks about moving forward and finding peace.
Right now, the group is essentially for adults and if someone has questions about children and grief, Anderson said they refer those people to VON Kids’ Circle, a proven program that helps kids through the loss of a parent, sibling or grandparent.
While new to Chatham, Grief Share is a program started in the United States and is now in more than 12,000 churches worldwide. There is a $20 fee for the workbook, but Anderson said no one will be turned away if they can’t afford it.
For more information about the program or to register, please call the church office at 519-352-4580 or go online to gregorydrive.com or griefshare.org.
