Support and Encouragement for Your Grief Journey
About GriefShare
After the funeral, when the cards and flowers have stopped coming, most of the people around you return to their normal lives. But your grief continues and you feel alone. Often, friends and family want to help you, but don’t know how. That is the reason for GriefShare.
GriefShare is a caring community of people who will walk alongside you on your grief journey. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. In GriefShare you will have the support of trained group leaders and other group members who are also on a healing path following the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend.
GriefShare is a network of over 15,000 churches worldwide equipped to offer grief support groups. The program is non-denominational and features biblical concepts for healing from your grief. Learn more about GriefShare at www.griefshare.org
“Going to GriefShare feels like having warm arms wrapped around you when you’re shivering.”
Registration Information
You do not have to be a member of UMCL to join this group. All are welcome to join at any time. Each of the sessions are self-contained so you may join whenever the time is right for you.
When: Aug 4-Nov 10, 2024
Every Sunday, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: UMCL, Sanctuary at
429 Brainerd Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
Contact: Erin Mayes at 847-682-5587 or erin@erinemayes.com for more information
What to Expect
Our GriefShare group meets weekly to help you face the challenges following loss and move toward rebuilding your life.
You’ll discover there are people who understand your hurts, emotions, and painful experiences. When someone you love dies, it’s common to feel isolated. In GriefShare, you’ll find that you are not alone, that there are others who understand what you are going through.
Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements:
- Video Seminar: Each week your GriefShare group will watch a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects.
- Support Group Discussion: It can be very healing to tell others what you are going through. The support group sessions include a time to talk about what you’ve seen on the GriefShare videos and what is going on in your life. And while you have the opportunity
to tell your story, there’s never pressure for you to do so if you don’t feel like it. - Personal Study and Reflection: The workbook provides an opportunity for further study about the grief process and personal reflection about your grief. The weekly journaling questions help you sort through your emotions. You will also have time in the support
group to discuss questions and comments from the workbook study.
You’ll become part of a “family”. GriefShare group members often tell us that they feel like their group has become a family and that they made new friends and are around people they can relate to.
You’ll discover hope for the future. Over time, you’ll learn ways to restore your hope and rebuild your life. Many GriefShare alumni tell us the program helped them move from deep grief to peace and a sense of joy again.
GriefShare Participants Share Their Stories
GriefShare FAQs
Who is GriefShare for?
GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. We understand that there are other losses in life that create feelings of grief (i.e. a job loss, a divorce, estrangement from a child, or the loss of friends because of a move). This grief is real and important, but it is not the kind of grief discussed in GriefShare sessions.
Do you have to be a member of UMCL to attend?
Registration is open to the public. We encourage people to invite any family or friends who have experienced loss and could benefit from GriefShare.
Can you begin attending even after the 13-week session has begun?
You are welcome to begin attending the GriefShare group at any session. You do not have to attend in sequence, and you’ll find encouragement and help whenever you begin!
Can you attend GriefShare if you have gone through the 13-week program previously?
We encourage anyone who has previously gone through GriefShare to go through the 13-week session again if they would like continued support and encouragement.
