“The loneliness of grief can be comforted,” said Laura Meeks, a local leader of GriefShare. “GriefShare is a nationally recognized support for those left with the pain of the death of a loved one.”
“We invite you to GriefShare to help you recover from the death of your loved one,” she said. “We are sorry for the reasons that bring you to this group, but we welcome you. If you are uncomfortable taking this step and don’t know what to expect by joining a small group, your feelings are normal.”
The first GriefShare meeting led by Meeks starts on Tuesday, January 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic School, 714 S. Eddy in Room 203, which is across from the parish office.
“Thirteen sessions will be held for our group each Tuesday at the same time and place,” she said. “This is a non-denominational grief recovery program. Hospitality will be provided and you will be given a helpful book to support your journey.”
“After the first of thirteen sessions ….you will start noticing you find it helpful to be around others who also are dealing with their emotions, questioning, and feeling exhaustion,” she said.
“We all grieve differently,” Meeks said. “There are no rules nor measurements such as time.”
For more than 25 years, GriefShare has helped over 1 million people heal from the pain of grief, according to a press release from Meeks. Professionally developed videos and a workbook help you meet people who have faced grief and share what helped them. You get practical suggestions from counselors and pastors, experts in grief recovery who have also experienced deep loss.
“Pastor Fr. Yancy Burgess recommended this program when I told him I wanted to help those who faced the death of a loved one,” Meeks said. “He referred me to his former Kansas Parrish GriefShare leader who guided me as I prepared. Last July, Fr. Burgess ordered all the materials we needed to provide this support for the community specifically intending to include all, in this non-denominational approach. He has a formidable background in bereavement support and provides support to us.”
To find more information about GriefShare go to griefshare.org or email info@griefshare.org.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Meeks, by calling: 740-317-6379, or emailing laurammeeks@gmail.com for questions or registration support. To register directly go to griefshare.org/findagroup.
Another GriefShare will be available in fall 2024.
At the end of November, Community Christian Church just finished a 13-week course, led by Jon Bailes and Jeanette Perry, according to Jamie Beckham, at CCC.
“They are preparing to do another in the fall,” she said.