When a loved one dies, life is never the same for those left behind. Beginning on Wednesday, September 7, Sun Lakes United Methodist Church will offer GriefShare, a non-denominational seminar and support group designed to assist those who are struggling with the loss of a loved one.

John McCollum, who completed the GriefShare program in July at Sun Lakes UMC, recently explained the difference the course had made in his life. “My grief after my wife’s passing was unexpected and so heavy I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. I was an emotional wreck and thought I was losing my mind for the first two months. Then I heard about GriefShare. The class met once a week, and I learned so much about the grief process. We all grieve differently, and that’s okay. I found out I wasn’t losing my mind; I was grieving. The classes gave me hope that one day I would go from that mourning stage to one of joy and be able to celebrate the life my wife and I had together.”

GriefShare features nationally recognized experts on grief recovery topics. Seminar sessions include “Is This Normal?”, “The Challenges of Grief,” “Grief and Your Relationships,” “Why?,” and “Guilt and Anger.”

If you find yourself struggling with grief, consider attending GriefShare, an 11-week class that meets Wednesday afternoons from 1:00-2:30 p.m. beginning September 7. Call Pastor Jean at the Sun Lakes UMC office at 480-895-8766 for more information or to register ($15). You can also check the church website at www.sunlakesumc.org for information and to register online.

Sun Lakes UMC is located at 9248 E. Riggs Road in Sun Lakes.