GriefShare
If you were at church on Sunday, you may have heard me mention in the announcements that we are in the process of launching a new-to-us ministry called GriefShare, which is a 13 week video-based support group, designed to care for the needs of people who are experiencing significant grief due to the loss of a loved one. Leanne and I participated in a GriefShare Group here in town sometime after the death of our daughter, Kaia. There were some in our group who had lost a spouse, and others who had lost a parent, sibling, or close friend. It was a helpful time to be with others who were in the midst of their own grief, and to have leaders who were investing in us and helping us to walk with the Lord through the toughest situation we have ever experienced. It didn’t fix everything, but it was one of the things that helped put us on a path of healing.
Who is GriefShare for?
According to their own website, “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.” You can learn more by watching a 2 minute video here.
When is GriefShare happening?
The group will meet on Wednesdays from 6:15-8:15pm. The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15 and continues every Wednesday through Wednesday, June 7.
Where is GriefShare happening?
There are a number of churches in our community who offer GriefShare, most typically held at their church building. We are going to do something a little different, and we will be holding our GriefShare Group at US Digital (1400 NE 136th Ave.), where they have space available to use. In part, this is because just about every inch of our church building is already in use on Wednesday nights. But then also, there is a hope that perhaps it will be a more comfortable meeting space for those who may have some hesitation to come to a church building to participate.
Who is leading this GriefShare Group?
Kelli Russell and I are working together to lead this group. We are hopeful that there may be others who join us in facilitating the group, and we have reached out to a few people to see if they would be interested in joining us.
Why are we doing this?
First, because grief matters, and the Lord has much to say in the Scriptures about the experience of grief. We want to help people have a place where they can process their grief, and where they can be pointed to Jesus, the source of all comfort and hope. A second reason is that this unique ministry has the potential to allow us to minister both to people who are a regular part of the EBC church family, as well as people who don’t attend EBC, or who perhaps don’t currently attend any church at all.
Are You Interested in Participating?
If you would like to participate in this GriefShare Group, you can respond directly to this email, or you can email me at rdonovan@evergreenbible.com. There is a cost of $15 per person, which just pays for the workbook materials. And if this cost would be any challenge, we are glad to help cover the cost as well, as we don’t want anyone to not attend on account of the cost.
Pastor Ryan Donovan
Categories: Evergreen Connection