WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

Helen Keller said, “We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world – the company of those who have known suffering.” Until someone has lost a loved one, it’s hard to understand another person’s grief.

Grieving is a difficult process and unfortunately, there is no easy way to get through it except one step, one day at a time. Each person grieves in their own way and although grief is personal, it is helpful to seek the support of others who understand the many stages of grief.

GriefShare is a program expressly created to help the bereaved to better understand and anticipate the stages of grief and offers a supportive group to help participants through the grief process. Theresa Grant has been a facilitator of GriefShare, which is hosted by St. Paul United Methodist Church, for several years. She encourages people who have lost a loved one to take the 13-week course, but stresses that it’s better to wait at least six months or more after a loss before taking the classes. “The first few months people are often overwhelmed with financial, legal issues, and decisions to make,” she said. Also, the first few weeks after a death, people often experience “mind fog,” where they can’t concentrate on simple tasks, make decisions, or even remember what they did the day before. This ia a normal part of the grieving process.

Grant often recommends that persons who have experienced a recent loss of a loved one seek out the free support groups and individual counseling offered by Trellis Supportive Care. They also have programs for young people and teens.

After a few months, Grant says people are more ready to join GriefShare and to participate in the 13-week sessions and the support group. GriefShare offers video sessions that participants can watch in their home, as well as a workbook to record their thoughts and questions. Then each Saturday they join others via Zoom to discuss the video and share how they’re doing as they travel the grief journey. Sessions cover such topics as: Is This Normal? The Challenges of Grief; The Journey of Grief; Grief and Your Relationships; Lessons of Grief; and What Do I Do Now? Each session is a self-contained study.

GriefShare is scripture based and counselors provide tools for the grief process. Facilitators lead open discussions and through shared experiences and God’s Word, and through the fellowship of other participants, learn to care for self, and learn there is healing and hope. Each interactive session features biblical teachings on grief and the grieving process that will guide you from “mourning to joy.” E.A. Bucchianeri said, “When all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love.”

GriefShare is free and open to both adult men and women of all ages. The next session begins on Aug. 5 and goes through Oct. 28. Registration is required and after registering, participants will receive the link to view the weekly videos and a workbook. The support group meets on Saturdays from 10-11:30 a.m. via Zoom. 

A special session, Surviving the Holidays, will be held on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m.

For more information and to learn how to register, call the church office at 336-723-4531.