Share your grief with those who care

GriefShare is a support group, founded by the Benoni Central Methodist Church nine years ago, for people grieving the loss of someone close to them.

The group works on a 13-week outreach ministry, with each session including a DVD seminar, featuring top leaders speaking on grief recovery subjects, a self-contained workbook to use as a guide and group discussion.

GriefShare leader Denise Heatlie explained that grieving is a process and that everyone grieves differently.

“Grief is unique to each person — each person finds their own path to healing and that’s normal, because we are all unique,” she said.

The dynamic of the group is focused on providing you with comfort encouragement and hope during the grieving process.

“I am passionate about healing through the GriefShare series, because I know it works — I have witnessed the healing and learned so much over the years,” said Denise.

The facilitators of the group are trained leaders, who have all experienced loss and understand what you are going through.

Denise added that although it is a Christ-centred ministry, this is not enforced on anyone and you can take what is appropriate to you from it.

GriefShare is also a gentle ministry, where people are not pressured to talk about their loss.

Denise said a number of people who lost someone close to them years ago, still join the group now.

She explained that grief is disruptive and can manifest in other aspects of your life, such as physically and emotionally, and that is why it is important to learn to deal with it.

The group meetings commenced on January 18, but people are welcome to attend at any time during the series.

The church is situated on the corner of Cranbourne Avenue and Bunyan Street, in the CBD, and meetings are held on Saturdays, from 2pm to 4pm.

To register, call Denise on 084 487 8266, the church office on 011 845 2953, or email to denise@bcmc.org.za.

More information can also be obtained at www.griefshare.org.