For several years, under the leadership of our former deacon, John Froning, and, before him, Ann Hooper, we have been fortunate to have a strong Grief Support Ministry.
Prior to Deacon John's move to Tennessee, we had been in discussions on the possibilities of an expansion of this ministry and asked one of our parishioners, Dr. Ken Gordon, to assume the leadership role in expanding the ministry and change the name and mission to "Bereavement Support Ministry." Ken has in fact already led one of our grief support groups before Deacon John left and has experience in this ministry from his previous parish.
Bereavement support has a basic definition of "a period or process of helping an individual in his or her tasks of working through the loss of something dear, such as the death of a loved one."
This expanded ministry will include trained members of the SH Bereavement Support Ministry, to include:
1. The contact of a surviving spouse, after the death of a loved one, and asking for permission for a home visit;
2. The introduction, at said home visits, of the concept of on-going emotional support through handouts, possible continued home visits and/or phone contacts;
3. The introduction of and the possibility of joining a series of Bereavement Support Group sessions;
4. Phone or personal contacts with former members of SHC's Grief Support Groups seeking information on how they are doing;
5. Notifications of other churches in the Hot Springs Village area announcing organized Bereavement Support Groups and prospective dates;
I ask you to consider sharing in this worthwhile and rewarding ministry. Ken will have an orientation session to explain what you need to know to say yes to supporting parishioners, especially in the early stages of the grief process.
Please call Ken at 719-310-1686 to find out more. This ministry needs you!
Prior to Deacon John's move to Tennessee, we had been in discussions on the possibilities of an expansion of this ministry and asked one of our parishioners, Dr. Ken Gordon, to assume the leadership role in expanding the ministry and change the name and mission to "Bereavement Support Ministry." Ken has in fact already led one of our grief support groups before Deacon John left and has experience in this ministry from his previous parish.
Bereavement support has a basic definition of "a period or process of helping an individual in his or her tasks of working through the loss of something dear, such as the death of a loved one."
This expanded ministry will include trained members of the SH Bereavement Support Ministry, to include:
1. The contact of a surviving spouse, after the death of a loved one, and asking for permission for a home visit;
2. The introduction, at said home visits, of the concept of on-going emotional support through handouts, possible continued home visits and/or phone contacts;
3. The introduction of and the possibility of joining a series of Bereavement Support Group sessions;
4. Phone or personal contacts with former members of SHC's Grief Support Groups seeking information on how they are doing;
5. Notifications of other churches in the Hot Springs Village area announcing organized Bereavement Support Groups and prospective dates;
I ask you to consider sharing in this worthwhile and rewarding ministry. Ken will have an orientation session to explain what you need to know to say yes to supporting parishioners, especially in the early stages of the grief process.
Please call Ken at 719-310-1686 to find out more. This ministry needs you!