Grief Support Group
for those who have lost Spouses, Children and loved Ones
The Unwanted Gift of Grief: A Support Seminar
Four Sundays beginning March 21, 2010 • 2-3 p.m. • Room B207
March 21: Everyone Grieves Differently
March 28: Factors that Affect Your Experience of Loss
April 11: The Understandable Darkness of Frustration and Anger
April 18: Taking Care of Yourself While Depressed and Sad
Led by Dr. Charles Qualls, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care, this four-part series on grief will address mental, physical, relational and spiritual dimensions of loss. If you have suffered the death of a loved one, this support experience will help you to understand your mourning. We will explore opportunities for growth and perspective that make grief more bearable. There is no fee for this group, but we do ask you to register beforehand. For questions or to register, please contact Lisa Lynch at 404.591.4366 or llynch@spdl.org.
Life isn’t always fair.
You’ve been somewhere painful in your life if you’ve bothered to check out this part of our web site. So have some other people you may know. In our city, we don’t find it easy to share our grief. Maybe it’s time you did.
Friends mean well. They’ll tell you to get back into your routine, but you’ve found that you can’t “busy” your way through the pain of loss.
You’ve searched for answers, maybe even to questions about where God is in the trouble you’ve seen. You’ve heard that “everything happens for a reason,” but it doesn’t add up.
Don’t let ‘em see you sweat is the Atlanta code for grief. But you’ve sweated. And hurt, and cried. You’ve found that being tough isn’t the answer.
ABOUT GRIEF SUPPORT
There is work to grief. We’ll do some work of our own. In this group, we’ll:
- Develop understanding of some possible stages/steps in grief
- Hear from some of the more (and less!) helpful voices to see what others tell people who are grieving
- Share our stories, feelings, thoughts
- Hear from scripture about God’s presence and promise, and more!
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“Time heals all wounds.”
We hear this. But you’ve learned differently. Only time well spent heals. Give God a chance through Grief Support. |
MAYBE YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
- Q: I’m rather private. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable talking in a group. What do I do?
A: “Pass” will always be an acceptable response. There may be some moments where sharing is difficult. That’s okay. Come anyway.
- Q: I’m mad at God right now. Are you sure a church group is where I need to be?
A: This may be exactly where you need to be. There is a lot of unfortunate theology out there. Let’s unpack it together.
- Q: I’m supposed to be feeling better by now. What’s wrong with me?
A: There is no “normal” to grief, no preset calendar for you to be “done” with it. We’ll explore the experience, and you can check in on where you “should” be.
- Q: Won’t it just be a lot of crying and emotion? That’s such a downer.
A: Sure, there’ll be some of that. But there will be so much more. You’ve found by now that simply pushing your feelings beneath the surface doesn’t help, either. Come and rediscover your hope!
Still have questions? Not sure you’re interested? See Charles Qualls and just chat about it. Remember, this isn’t just about you. Others may benefit from you being there, and you’ll borrow some perspective and hope from them. Reach out and receive!
SECOND-PONCE WANTS TO HELP YOU
There are resources at the ready to help you.
- Our own Pastoral staff, whom you know and trust. Or, maybe it’s time you got to know them. Call us today at 404-266-8111. We want to serve.
- The Care and Counseling Center provides Christian counseling services to clients who have been referred to them from Second-Ponce de Leon. Contact us for a referral, or call the Center directly at 404-636-1457 ext. 577, to speak with Kim Woodard, center director.
What can Grief Support do for you?
Here are just a few helps we can share:
- Support in community. This is a place where you will be reminded that you are not alone in your experience. Wounded healers, supporting each other, carry tremendous power.
- Power found in the simple act of sharing our stories. If you wish, you’ll get a chance to say aloud what you’ve felt and thought.
- Perspective in your experience through the materials that will be taught. We’ll help you to understand the experience in light of your broader life context, and learn helpful coping skills. Of course, we’ll hear from scripture, too.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?
This four-week support group will be a chance for you to process your experience with others who do not share your specific circumstances. But, they do share a need to do the constructive work of grief and to re-discover joy. Give to them, and receive!
Who leads the group?
Dr. Charles Qualls is the primary staff leader. He is Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care at Second-Ponce de Leon, and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree, with years of experience in family ministry. While in seminary, he worked in the Family Ministry department of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Prior to his coming to SPDL he served churches in Georgia and North Carolina in the area of Adult Education, including marrige, divorce and support programs.