Grief Support Group
for those who have lost Spouses, Children and loved Ones

Sign up now for our Grief Support Group with Dr. Charles Qualls. The next session will meet three consecutive Sundays – August 3, 10 and 17, 2008, at 5 p.m. Groups will run at least annually, normally in the fall. Call Charles at 404.591.4341 for details. Need more general information? Read on ...

Life isn’t always fair.

You’ve been somewhere painful in your life if you’ve bothered to check out this part of our web site. So have some other people you may know. In our city, we don’t find it easy to share our grief. Maybe it’s time you did.

Friends mean well. They’ll tell you to get back into your routine, but you’ve found that you can’t “busy” your way through the pain of loss.

You’ve searched for answers, maybe even to questions about where God is in the trouble you’ve seen. You’ve heard that “everything happens for a reason,” but it doesn’t add up.

Don’t let ‘em see you sweat is the Atlanta code for grief. But you’ve sweated. And hurt, and cried. You’ve found that being tough isn’t the answer.

ABOUT GRIEF SUPPORT

There is work to grief. We’ll do some work of our own. In this group, we’ll:

  • Develop understanding of some possible stages/steps in grief
  • Hear from some of the more (and less!) helpful voices to see what others tell people who are grieving
  • Share our stories, feelings, thoughts
  • Hear from scripture about God’s presence and promise, and more!
“Time heals all wounds.”
We hear this. But you’ve learned differently. Only time well spent heals.
Give God a chance through Grief Support.

MAYBE YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

  • Q: I’m rather private. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable talking in a group. What do I do?
    A:     “Pass” will always be an acceptable response. There may be some moments where sharing is difficult. That’s okay. Come anyway.
  • Q: I’m mad at God right now. Are you sure a church group is where I need to be?
    A:     This may be exactly where you need to be. There is a lot of unfortunate theology out there. Let’s unpack it together.
  • Q: I’m supposed to be feeling better by now. What’s wrong with me?
    A:     There is no “normal” to grief, no preset calendar for you to be “done” with it. We’ll explore the experience, and you can check in on where you “should” be.
  • Q: Won’t it just be a lot of crying and emotion? That’s such a downer.
    A:     Sure, there’ll be some of that. But there will be so much more. You’ve found by now that simply pushing your feelings beneath the surface doesn’t help, either. Come and rediscover your hope!

Still have questions? Not sure you’re interested? See Charles Qualls and just chat about it. Remember, this isn’t just about you. Others may benefit from you being there, and you’ll borrow some perspective and hope from them. Reach out and receive!

SECOND-PONCE WANTS TO HELP YOU

There are resources at the ready to help you.

  • Our own Pastoral staff, whom you know and trust. Or, maybe it’s time you got to know them. Call us today at 404-266-8111. We want to serve.
  • The Care and Counseling Center has a long established counseling office right here in our building. Pick up their brochure on our information center today. Or, call at 404-636-1457 ext. 537 for Lewis Kola, center director.

What can Grief Support do for you?

Here are just a few helps we can share:

  1. Support in community. This is a place where you will be reminded that you are not alone in your experience. Wounded healers, supporting each other, carry tremendous power.
  2. Power found in the simple act of sharing our stories. If you wish, you’ll get a chance to say aloud what you’ve felt and thought.
  3. Perspective in your experience through the materials that will be taught. We’ll help you to understand the experience in light of your broader life context, and learn helpful coping skills. Of course, we’ll hear from scripture, too.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW?

This 3-week support group will be a chance for you to process your experience with others who do not share your specific circumstances. But, they do share a need to do the constructive work of grief and to re-discover joy. Give to them, and receive!

Who leads the group?

Rev. Charles Qualls is the primary staff leader. He is Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care at Second-Ponce de Leon. Rev. Qualls holds the M.Div degree with a concentration in family ministry. While in seminary, he worked in the Family Ministry department of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Prior to his coming to SPDL he served churches in Georgia and North Carolina in the area of Adult Education, including marrige, divorce and support programs. He is currently working toward a Doctor of Ministry degree, concentrating on congregational transformation through a pastoral care project.

Second-Ponce de Leon Grief Support Resources
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