Grief Share begins August 18

Peachtree City United Methodist Church will offer a new 14-week “Grief Share” session beginning Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The church began the grief support group in August of 2003. Since then, the church has run back-to-back 14 week sessions offering comfort to those mourning the loss of a loved one.

The group, co-led by facilitators Ed Craven and Lisa Mahaffey, will start a new 14-week session, August 18 and anyone is invited to attend.

Grief Share uses a video seminar series that features some of the nation’s foremost Christian experts on grief and recovery topics. The video seminars are combined with a workbook and group discussion time to allow participants to talk about the day to day challenges of their healing journey.

Susan Primrose, who came to the group after losing a son, said, “My first impressions were of relief and calmness. It seemed that everyone, including the teachers, had a loss so I felt at ease with the group.”

Primrose said she especially liked the videos used in the series and felt they made the most impact on her, teaching her how to live day to day with grief. “All my life I heard, “Ask the Lord and he will answer you,” she said. “But it had to be a devastating event to make me believe it. We can’t do some things in life without the Lord, and I’m glad I found him again.”

Dora Sweigart, who found the group through a co-worker, said “There’s no question that being with others who are going through the same pain you are going through is the best therapy. When my son died unexpectedly, I was so very desperate to be with someone else who understood my pain. I don’t think anyone can understand your grief until they’ve experienced it for themselves. You develop a certain bond with those who are grieving, you share their pain — you’ve been there, too.”

Sweigart said the most meaningful session for her was the one on Heaven which really touched her and gave her the greatest comfort in thinking that her son was part of that now.

The group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 306 at Peachtree City United Methodist Church, 225 Robinson Road.

There is a $15 workbook fee but scholarships are available through the church.

Those interested in attending may call Ed Craven, 770-632-6273 or Lisa Mahaffey, 678-817-5641.