BATESVILLE — GriefShare is a 13-week program that can help those dealing with the pain of losing a loved one.

Kari Ann Rennekamp, who facilitates the program with her mother, Deb Griffith, says it has been offered since 2010.

“I wanted to provide a service to our community. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of others during a time of great need. I found that our community could use grief support when they lost a loved one.

“After researching, GriefShare spoke to me. It is a nondenominational group and features biblical teaching on grief and recovery. St. John’s United Church of Christ, Huntersville, is our sponsoring church.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the grief seminar “that provides support to those grieving the loss of someone special to them.” The spring session begins Thursday, March 21 (please see box).

Each gathering features three main components: video, group discussion and workbook-directed activities, she reveals. “A typical session begins with a prayer .... (then) we discuss how everyone is doing and do a quick review of the prior week and the workbook activities they have completed. We introduce the topic of the night and watch a video. Each video takes a grief topic that the participants can relate to. It features top experts on grief recovery and provides re-enactments of grief. It also has individuals talking about their real-life stories of loss.

“Once the video has concluded, there is a discussion time, where participants can relate and share their experiences and provide support for one another. At the end of the discussion time, we recap all the wonderful main topics of the night and end with a prayer.”

Persons do not have to attend every program. “GriefShare is here to support people when they need it. Each session is self-contained,” Rennekamp reports.

“I think it is very difficult to get through grief, but being around others who have also experienced loss provides incredible insight and support. It can provide strength through faith and give people permission to let their grief happen so they can work through the web of confusion, fear and sadness that lingers after a loss.”



DETAILS

• Programs are held Thursdays at 6 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Huntersville. They include March 21, Living with Grief; March 28, The Journey of Grief; April 4, The Effects of Grief; April 11, When Your Spouse Dies; April 18, Your Family and Grief; April 25, Why?; May 2, The Uniqueness of Grief Part 1; May 9, The Uniqueness of Grief Part 2; May 16, God’s Prescription for Grief; May 23, Stuck in Grief; May 30, Top 20 Lessons of Grief Part 1; June 6, Top 20 Lessons of Grief Part 2; June 13, Heaven.

• For more information, persons can contact Rennekamp at 812-212-2702 or visit www.GriefShare.org.