DivorceCare / GriefShare Classes

HISTORY

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Recently, I went through a painful divorce from a spouse of 10 years in 1999. During the separation from my spouse, I lost my mother. Three weeks later, I lost my sister, and nine months later, my only child.

These experiences were degrading and painful, but through it all, I learned and gained spiritual breakthroughs. As a result of these experiences, I realized Jesus used these situations to prepare me to help others deal with the painful and negative emotions that occur when one is in the midst of a divorce, when one has been divorced, and when one is dealing with the effects of losing a loved one.

I attended a 13-week Bible-based DivorceCare Program which truly blessed me beyond words. In this class, I was given support and information which outlined how to heal from the hurt of divorce and grief. By attending this class, I developed a stronger relationship with our Lord , Jesus Christ.

On September 6, 2000, I began facilitating a 13-week DivorceCare and GriefShare Outreach Program at my church. Today, I am still facilitating these programs. Currently, these classes meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:00 PM. We are promoting our support groups and programs throughout the neighborhood, in Christian Bookstores, in Funeral Homes, Newspapers, Laundry Mats, Beauty Salons, Attorneys, and by word of mouth.

Presently, through these Christ-centered/Bible-based Support Groups, we have helped 8 people recover from brokenness, anger, loneliness, bitterness, unforgiveness, reconciliation, and other devastating emotions that are caused due to a divorce or the lost of a loved one. The DivorceCare and GriefShare Programs are designed to help those who are dealing with emotional losses and grief. Please feel free to contact us, at our church (404) 243-0121 or you may e-mail us at Lenetravel@aol.com for more information.

You can put your life back together again!

Yours in Christ,Verlene Brown.

Support Group Facilitator,

Outlined below are a few of the helpful steps to take for friends, family members, and co-workers who have to interact with those who are grieving. This time of the year we need to be especially mindful of the pain and agony that those who have and are experiencing grief may be encountering.

Talk: Avoiding the subject or the name of the individual who died can be more disturbing than talking. "It’s as if the person never existed" is how some mourners feel if people walk on eggshells around them. Let them cry, don’t question their emotions.

Remember: Ask whether material is being collected for a photo alum or scrapbook. Ask if there will be a memorial service on the deceased person’s behalf. Write down memories and impressions, or help organize some type of memorial.

Reach out: Write a holiday card, send a gift or stop by and visit. Don’t forget close friends or others who may be outside the immediate circle of mourners and who may be struggling alone. Plan a trip with them to a new destination.

Act in Remembrance: Ask if its okay to spread the spirit of the one who has died, such as baking his favorite cookies, organizing a memorial service, sending birthday cards, keeping photos of their loved one around.

…Submitted by Sis. Verlene Brown, Griefshare Facilitator