Everyone experiences loss of loved ones through death; sooner or later we will all walk the journey of grief. A quote from Healing Hugs says, “I think the hardest part of losing someone isn’t saying goodbye, but rather learning how to live without them, always trying to fill the void, the emptiness that’s left inside your heart when they go.”

In order to find their way from mourning to healing and restoration, people may find that sharing the journey with a small group of others going through the same thing can help them reach a new joy and wholeness. GriefShare was designed as a non-denominational program to help guide people through a season of grief with Biblical, Christian principles and lessons. The group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and have successfully rebuilt their lives.

GriefShare will be offered at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 19 Cedar Ridge Drive, Daleville, on Thursdays, from March 2-June 8 (no session on April 13 for Holy Week). There will be two sessions offered each Thursday: the first from 10-noon and the second in the evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The classes and materials are being offered to the general public free of charge. Donations at the end of each session toward workbooks for the next group will be welcome.

Anyone is welcome and may join us during any of the 14-week sessions since each class is “self-contained,” so they do not have to be attended in sequence. Participants will able to pick up any session missed in thenext series. Although registration is not required, it will help the organizers be prepared with materials.

No matter how recently or long ago folks experienced a loss, they are invited to join GriefShare on March 2, at either the morning or evening group, to share their journey of grief.

In case of inclement weather, GriefShare will not meet if Botetourt schools are canceled.

Call St. Mark’s UMC (992-3030) with questions or to register.