Rotary: Emotional Health and GriefShare Program “Your Journey from Mourning to Joy”
It hurts to lose someone. It helps that one does not have to go through the grieving process alone.
The substance of the GriefShare program defined by Janet Evans and Ramona Watson on Jan. 3 at the weekly Rotary Club meeting was that there are no neat, orderly stages of grief. However, one can learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability, and gain solid support each step of the way.
Rotary’s culture of Service Above Self builds community and promotes acts of kindness, two proven methods to build and maintain emotional and mental wellness. The efforts by Janet Evans and Ramona Watson in introducing and leading GriefShare in Marlin demonstrates a new level of care to others in our community.
What is GriefShare (GS)? GS is headquartered in Wake Forest, N.C. It is a Christ-centered, video-based ministry. It’s designed to
reach and help people inside and outside the host church. It is a nondenominational ministry serving through more than 20,000 churches worldwide. It began over 25 years ago, and has helped over 1 million people.
GS is a thirteen-week, Christ-centered grief support group
ministry. Each session shows a video followed by small-group discussion about the video. The format is set up so anyone can join any time during the 13 weeks. GS videos present valuable insights from respected Christian counselors, pastors, and healthcare professionals on grief-related topics. The videos also feature relatable stories of people who’ve faced loss and who share what was helpful to them. GS is for people who have lost a spouse, child, other family member, or friend through death.
For residents or Marlin and surrounding communities, a 13-Week Group Session will be held Feb. 7 through May 1, 2024, on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Lamplighters Room at First Baptist Church Marlin.
The GriefShare seminar is led by persons who understand what one goes through after the loss of a loved one and want to help. GriefShare provides access to valuable resources to help with recovery from loss and looking forward to rebuilding one’s life.
At a GriefShare seminar, the participant guide serves as a road map on the grief journey. This book helps process emotions and experiences and helps cope with the loss; each week, videos and group discussions follow a schedule. 1: Is This Normal? Exercise: Common Responses to the Death of a Loved One; 2: Your Grief Journey; 3: Loneliness & Sadness - With an Article: How to Write a Grief Letter; 4: Self-Care Article: How to Ask For and Accept Help; 5: Fearful & Overwhelmed Article: Breathing Exercise to Manage Anxiety; 6: Anger Article: Why Should I Forgive?; 7: Regrets; 8: Grief & Your Household - Article: Caring for Grieving Children; 9: Grief & Your Friendships - Article: Being Honest with Your Comforters; 10: Questions for God - Article: God Is Making Something Beautiful; 11: Stuck in Grief; 12: Hope & Resilience, and; 13: What Do I Live For Now?
There are thousands of GriefShare grief recovery support groups meeting throughout the US, Canada, and in over 10 other countries. For anyone mourning the loss of a loved one, grieving, looking for bereavement services or need help with the stages of grief, GriefShare held at First Baptist Marlin can help. To begin, text Janet at (254) 422-3536.