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Pastoral Care: Grief Recovery Support Group

Coping with Loss

Loss invades our lives like and unwelcome intruder. Through death and difficult life experiences, loss brings a multitude of feelings. We grieve.

Grief is the long, painful process of saying "good-bye" to the relationship we shared with someone or something of significant meaning to us. Like waves pounding on the seashore, grief can feel overwhelming; its presence and intensity frequently being unexpected and unpredictable

Loss that touches us this deeply affects every aspect of our entire being. As a result, it may be difficult to feel that life can ever have meaning again. Adjustment to such a painful loss requires an investment of time and energy; usually at a time when our energy level is nearly exhausted.

The Healing Process

To encourage a renewing of energy after a painful loss, Adventist Midwest Health offers a six-week Grief Recovery Support Group. The group is facilitated by trained chaplains and members of the pastoral care team. Participants gain an understanding about grief and learn what to anticipate during the grieving process. Participants also experience group support and kinship from journeying with other hurting persons. Sharing with others help to hasten their own healing process. Many have said this is the most valuable part of the support group.

We Are Here to Support You The chaplains of Adventist Midwest Health understand the challenge of making one's self open and vulnerable to the grief experience. The fear of greater pain and loss can be very threatening. The chaplains want to extend to you their heartfelt sympathies. Whether the timing is right for you to join a Grief Recovery Support Group at this time or not, you are wished God's comfort, peace and grace in your times of heartache and sorrow.

As a Participant in the Grief Recovery Support Group you will:

• Experience sensitive, gentle and supportive caring in an environment of safety and confidentiality.
• Develop and understanding of the grieving process - that healing comes through engaging the pain rather than avoiding it.
• Being given the opportunity to accept yourself where you are in your life experience.
• Learn that what you're experiencing is normal. You're not "going crazy," though at times you may feel that way.
• Be given and opportunity to speak freely and openly, but only as much as you choose.
• Be heard and receive with compassion by knowledgeable, capable and experienced facilitators.
• You will learn effective ways to release the pain by saying good-bye at your own pace.
• Experience renewal and begin to engage life again.

Groups

Each group is limited to twenty people. The group is conducted in a confidential, non-confrontational, friendly and informal manner. Feel free to dress casually and comfortably. The sharing of personal feelings is encouraged but never forced.

Dates and Locations

Registration

To register or for more information about the Grief Recovery Support Group, call (630) 856-3920 weekdays between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If there is no answer, please leave your name and phone number on the voice mail. Your call is important and will be returned as soon as possible.