GriefShare groups
Mary and Alex Cumming have led GriefShare groups for the past eight years, helping people to move forward through their journey of grief. Loss is no stranger to them. Both lost a brother – one to a tragic accident, one to cancer. Both have lost both their parents to age. But it was the loss in 2001, of their own son at 16 years old, as a passenger in a car crash, that impacted them the most. Counselling was a vital part of their healing, but it was many years later when they discovered GriefShare and all it had to offer. It was then that they took up the challenge of 2 Cor 1: 3 – 4 (NIV) –“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
The GriefShare program is a 13-week Bible-based program which is three-pronged in its approach to healing. First, there is the video portion with wise words from many professionals who counsel grieving people every day, each video addressing a different aspect of grief. Second, the workbook, which allows attendees to make notes on the video and review during the week what they heard, as well as work through some Bible readings and questions during the week. Finally, the group itself, where we share and talk about our realities of daily life and our struggles – a safe place to share our innermost thoughts with those we know will “get it.”
Alex and Mary look forward to working with those willing to start on the journey of healing. The group specifically targets those who have lost a loved one through death. Although there are many other types of loss – divorce, pets, jobs or moving and loss of friendships which are all valid – this group is ONLY for those suffering loss through death.
GriefShare will begin sessions this fall – time and place to be announced on the Revive Alexandria website and their Facebook feed. There is a small fee for the workbook, but if you are unable to afford a book, let us know.
If you are interested in attending and wish more information, please contact Mary and Alex directly at 613-347-3428 or by email at notablefarmer@hotmail.com All are welcome regardless of religious or non-religious affiliation.