JUNE marked one year since the start of Sweetwaters Grief Care, a support group dedicated to helping community members cope with grief through godly fellowship.
This initiative is facilitated by Michelle Hannan, in collaboration with Mathilda Zoli, a retired psychologist and social worker.
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The group hosts guest speakers who share their experiences with deep grief and teach Christian principles that support healing and restoration. Rooted in Christian beliefs, Sweetwaters Grief Care welcomes anyone seeking comfort due to loss.
Hannan, the head of the department, felt a personal calling to start this group after losing her father to cancer five years ago.
“I felt there was a need for people who were experiencing similar losses to get together as you cannot understand grief unless you have been through it. With the support of Sweetwaters Full Gospel Church’s senior pastor, Callie Martin, and his team, the necessary resources were provided to launch and facilitate this ministry. This initiative aims to support those who cannot afford specialised counselling by offering a safe space for expression and learning coping mechanisms,” she said.
The group’s sessions typically begin with discussions on the various stages of grief and specific topics, such as dealing with anniversaries, special dates, loneliness, heartache, trust, communication through hurt, healing and continuing life’s journey.
“Over the past year, the group has attracted a core group of 10 to 12 regular attendees and has impacted about 20 people. Some prefer to handle it alone while others need to share,” she said.
Martin highlighted the importance of support groups by saying, “People are social beings who are meant to function within a community. Support groups like this allow individuals to share experiences, relate better and form deeper connections. Sharing experiences and coping mechanisms equips others with new tools for dealing with grief, benefiting both individuals and their communities.”
The group meets once a month on a Saturday at Sweetwaters Church from 10:00 to 12:00. Dates are determined by the church, so anyone interested in attending can contact the church via WhatsApp on 066 237 6179.
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