GriefShare

GriefShare Support Group

Help and Encouragement After the Death of a Spouse, Child, Family Member or Friend

13 Week Program Starts Sunday, August 19th at 5:00 p.m.

New Life Church (Room #3)

When you are grieving a loved one’s death, it can be very painful. Join us and learn how to cope with your feelings. GriefShare is a 13 week seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life ($15 workbook donation).

Weekly Seminar Topics

Is This Normal?
Challenges of Grief
The Journey of Grief – Part One
The Journey of Grief – Part Two
Grief and Your Relationships
Why?
Guilt and Anger
Complicating Factors
Stuck
Lessons of Grief – Part One
Lessons of Grief – Part Two
Heaven
What Do I Live for Now?

When To Begin

You are welcome to begin attending our GriefShare group at any point. Each session is “self-contained”, so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will be able to pick up any sessions you missed in our next 13-week cycle.

For More Information

If you have any questions, contact Joe and Angie Nofziger at 941-662-9271.

Griefshare: Surviving the Holidays

November 11th—5:00 p.m. and/or December 2nd—5:00 p.m.

Location: New Life Church – Get Directions

Wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas? Are you dreading these holidays, knowing that everything has changed and that happy memories from past years can’t be recreated?

Our Surviving the Holidays seminar is especially for people who are grieving a loved one’s death.

The Strength to Survive When You’d Rather Skip the Holidays

“I used to feel like I’d like to go to sleep the day before Thanksgiving and wake up January 2nd,” admits Lois Rabey.

It’s hard enough to get up and make it through a day when you’ve lost a loved one. But when the expectations of Thanksgiving and Christmas are added on top of that, feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression can be compounded.

“As much as we would like to make it go away, that doesn’t help,” says H. Norman Wright. “What’s better is to say, ‘This is difficult. But I know I’m going to get through because I’m not dealing with it by myself. I have the Lord, and I’m going to look to Him. As hard as it is, I’m going to take a couple of steps and make this be different.'”

Important steps:

Recognize that the holidays are going to be tough—emotionally, relationally, physically, spiritually.
Don’t fight the added emotions: accept them and let them come.
Set realistic expectations for yourself, understanding your limitations.
Pray and ask God to help you.

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.” (Psalm 10:14)

God, I wish it were January. But I know that pushing aside the pain only makes my grief process longer and harder. I need to face my emotions in order to get through them. I can’t do this alone. Thank you that You have all the strength I need and more. Please show me other people, too, who will come alongside me and provide support.

Takeaway:

Experiencing tough emotions over the holidays is normal; don’t fight them when they come. Be intentional about prayer.

For More Information on “Surviving the Holidays”