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GriefShare Bereavement Support Group
If you have lost a loved one it may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future. If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you’ve probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel.
That
is the reason for GriefShare, a support group for people grieving
the loss of someone close. Each GriefShare session includes a video
seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos
include on-location settings and the real-life stories of people who have
experienced losses like yours.
After watching the video, you can take part in a small group discussion about what you have seen and talk with others about their loss, learning about their experiences and sharing your own.
The group usually meets fortnightly. The current group is meeting on Monday nights. You are welcome to begin attending at any stage as each session is ‘self-contained’. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin.
For more information please contact Peter Johnston (828633) or Elsie Balneaves (824155).
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Coping with Illness & Disability |
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Net Doctor |
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Patient UK: Bereavement |
Each of these pages has links to numerous other sites on which you should find some help, or contact us.
Pastoral Group
The thirteen members of the Pastoral Group visit those known to us who are sick or in hospital and ongoing visits are undertaken to all the housebound and elderly members of the congregation to keep them in touch with Church News and to let them know that we care for them. In addition, we try to send a card to the sick and bereaved letting them know our thoughts and prayers are with them.
We also deliver taped recordings of the Sunday services to those who wish to receive these.
This group meets every 5-6 weeks.
To inform the group of someone in need of a visit, please contact Elsie Balneaves, the Pastoral Group Coordinator.
Bereavement Care Group
The six members of the Bereavement Care Group, also coordinated by Elsie Balneaves, have undergone training in bereavement care via in-house training, seminars and in-depth courses. Speakers, case studies and Bible teachings are also used.
Visits are undertaken to all bereaved in our church, parish and community where the funeral was conducted by the minister. Copies of the funeral services are printed and these are taken by the visitors to each family. The group also remember those bereaved whose loved ones may not have been in our community. If on-going visits are necessary, these are also conducted by the Bereavement Care Group.
Although this is not a professional counselling service, it nonetheless provides valuable caring support for those in our church and community.