Event Title: GriefShare grief support group
Event Description: GriefShare is a support group for those grieving the death of a loved one. Our participants include those who have lost a spouse, child, parent, sibling, relative or friend; to disease, accident, firearms, alcohol/drugs, drowning, suicide, aging, COVID, dementia, sudden, and prolonged suffering.
Grief is individual - healing has no timetable or formula. Some of our participants are grieving a death from 5 to 10 years ago. They discovered they never healed and it has interfered with moving a healthy life foward.
The GriefShare series is designed so you can enter at any time - when you are ready you can join us. Many participants join after the 13-week series has begun. They can then complete what they missed when the next series begins. Many repeat the series 2 and 3 times. About half of our groups consist of series repeaters.
Session 1: Is This Normal? How Grief Affects Us
Grief is the natural response to significant loss. Grief affects all aspects of your life.
Processing grief takes time, but you will be OK. May 21
Session 2: Your Grief Journey is Uniquely Yours
How your circumstances affect your grief. Different grieving “styles”.
Possible surprises and the roller-coaster nature of the grief journey. May 28
Session 3: Loneliness & Sadness; Life After Your Loss.
Sadness can slow you down to assess where you’re struggling & what might help.
Sadness lessens as you make adjustments in your life.
Making meaningful connections eases loneliness. June 4
Session 4: Self-Care; Keeping Your Strength
Healthy lifestyle practices while grieving aid progress.
Unhealthy/numbing behaviors hinder progress.
How to build a relationship with the God of comfort & strength. Jun 11
Session 5: Fearful & Overwhelmed
Worry is a fear of what might happen, not of what will happen.
Having a plan can prevent “grief overload”. Fear reminds us to depend on a trustworthy God. Jun 18
Session 6: Anger - When It All Seems So Unfair
Anger can give you energy to make changes. Anger is powerful,
but God can help you manage it. Forgiveness is important to you and your relationship. Jun 25
Session 7: Regrets
The importance of challenging your “If onlys”.
Better thoughts to focus on. God’s response to your regrets. Jul 2
Session 8: Grief & Your Household; Facing the Empty Chair at the Table.
How to deal with secondary losses. Tips for parenting grieving children.
What to do with your loved one’s possessions. Jul 9
Session 9: Grief & Your Friendships
Other people can help you deal with changes. Realistic expectations of others is important.
How to talk to people who are uncomfortable with grief. Jul 16
Session 10: Questions for God
Trusting God with questions and doubts is a step forward in faith. The benefits of asking God
“What can I learn from this?” Learning from God’s Word about heaven. Jul 23
Session 11: Stuck in Grief
Being “stuck” in grief is not about time, it’s about skipping steps toward healing.
Negative thought patterns will keep you stuck. Bible & prayer defend against wrong thinking. Jul 30
Session 12: Hope & Resilience; There’s More to Your Story
Biblical hope is more than wishful thinking. How resilience helps you press on after your loss.
Resilience grows the more you ground yourself in God’s truth. Aug 6
Session 13: What Do I Live for Now? Remembering & Honoring
“Legacy projects” that bless others and honor your loved one. Preserving and using
lessons you’ve learned from your loved one. Renewing your sense of purpose. Aug 13
Event Start Time: 9:00 am
Event End Time (If Applicable): 11:00 am
Event Location: Bethesda LB Church
Event Address: 123 W. Hamilton Ave, Park in back - enter door #8, Eau Claire, WI 54701, United States
Event Contact Name: Kurt R Mattison
Contact Email: mattisonkurt@gmail.com
Contact Phone: (715) 864-9039