Grief Support Ministry
Services Provided
• Ongoing Pastoral and lay one-on-one counseling.
• Support Groups: Winter, Spring, and Fall 8-week sessions with learn and share format.
• Beyond: Quarterly food and fellowship meetings with past support group participants.
• Tinsel & Tears: annual mid-November candle lighting service in remembrance of loved ones lost with past support group participants.
• Longest Night: grief support participants participation in annual Longest Night, Brightest Hope service normally held on December 21, also open to the public.
Resources Available
• Handouts: Magazine and book articles used in sharing of information about grief issues
• Presentation: Power Point presentations for small groups over-viewing the grief ministry
• Books and internet sites related to grief recovery
Stewardship Opportunities
• Facilitators: participate in one-on-one counseling and lead support group sessions. Training is provided in grief ministry issues and in facilitating issues.
• Volunteers: to bake and supply cookies for refreshments for grief support participants during the 8-week session.
Confidentiality
• The identity of all participants in one-on-one counseling and support group participation is kept confidential by all grief ministry workers. All counseling and support group participation is held in safe and confidential environments.
Expectations
• There are no magical words or actions to “fix” a person’s grief. The only way to the other side of a grief event is to mourn your way through it. And even them you really never completely heal. However, through this ministry or really knowledgeable and dedicated friends, you don’t have to grieve alone.
Next session: April 8 - May 27, 2010
Life After Loss offers a support group for adults 18 and older who are experiencing the loss of a spouse, parent, child, silbling or friend. The ministry provides a safe place to learn and share.
Trained and experienced facilitators lead participants in learning and sharing about the physical and emotional aspects of grief as well as coping methods for finding healing and new growth.
Life After Loss a time to grieve Provides a safe environment to…
- Share experiences, thoughts and feelings
- Counter the sense of isolation
- Learn new ways of approaching problems
- Understand the importance of good grief
- Offer support to others
- Explore a foundation of faith
- Make new friends
Where: Collierville United Methodist Church located at 454 West Poplar AvenueCollierville, TN 38017
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p. m. (For all sessions)
Registration is required. All materials are free of charge and are provided by the Life After Loss Grief Ministry at CUMC. To register one week prior to start of session, call pastoral staff at 853-8383.
Spring 2010 Schedule:
Thursday, April 8 - “You’re not going crazy! You’re grieving”
Thursday, April 15 - “Where are you in your grief?”
Thursday, April 22 - “Feelings”
Thursday, April 29 - “Transitions and changes”
Thursday, May 6 - “Loneliness”
Thursday, May 13 - “Coping Tools”
Thursday, May 20 - “Working my way through annual reminders and new horizons.”
Thursday, May 27 - “What next?”
Other Upcoming Events for 2010
April 8 - May 27 - Support group (Loss of Spouse, Parent, Child, Sibling or Friend)
April 12 - Beyond
September 13 - Beyond
September 16 - Support Group (Loss of Spouse, Parent, Child, Sibling or Friend)
November 18 - Tinsel and Tears
December 21 - The Longest Night
For more information, please contact: Bobby Smith, Activities Coordinator: 482-6713 or Rev. David Weatherly: 853-8383
- Alan Wolfelt, Understanding Your Grief