Christian Websites for Widows

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY SITES FOR WIDOWS  
(in alphabetical order because . . . they each have a different focus, they can all be very helpful, and I couldn't pick a favorite. You can easily visit these sites by clicking on the underlined names).

CHERA FELLOWSHIP is a ministry of Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA) and provides the following services and resources for both widows and widowers:

• A free subscription to the magazine Chera for one year, also in downloadable format  
• Recommended booklist
• Helpful articles
• Individual support by phone, e-mail or mail
• How to start a widows Chera Fellowship group in your church

Grief Share has equipped thousands of churches in every state, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Australia and several other countries to provide grief support groups based on a 13-week video curriculum. You can begin attending at any point during the cycle and complete it in the next round. Grief Share was started by Church Initiative, a nondenominational, nonprofit ministry that produces and publishes a variety of video-based curriculums, focusing on the small group format. The Grief Share video is hosted by David and Nancy Guthrie--perhaps you've read Nancy's books, Holding On to Hope and The One Year Book of Hope. They live with their son Matthew in Tennessee. Their two other children, Hope and Gabriel, died a few months after birth, so the Guthries provide a compassionate and Christ-centered video presence to the group which is facilitated by trained leaders from the host church in your area. Here's how to get started with Grief Share:

• Go to their website: http://www.griefshare.org/
• Enter your zipcode to find a group in your area
• Fill out the e-mail contact form or call the contact person if you have questions
• Attendance is free. The workbook costs $15.00, but sometimes the church provides them, just ask.
• You might also like to sign up for their free daily e-mails to help you through your first year

He's My Husband is the widows teaching and empowerment ministry of CarolMarie Smith. On the website are helpful articles and information about available CD's and DVD's with messages and training info. CarolMarie is available to speak at your widows event, or assist in helping you organize one. Contact her through the website: http://www.hesmyhusband.com/

WIDOW CONNECTION is a website with helpful articles for widows and for churches looking to minister to widows. Founder Miriam Neff was widowed several years ago and has since been involved in widows ministry through her book, From One Widow To Another, widows groups, conferences, radio programs and mission trips.
Here are some of the things you'll find on this website:

• A down-loadable study guide to use with a widows group
• Widows' stories
• Helpful articles

Widows Christian Place is, of course, where you're visiting right now. I thought it'd be good to list the distinct services I offer as well. Because this is a blog, you'll find consistent updates and the ability to interact and build community. Here are some other advantages you'll find at Widows Christian Place, and I hope to add more as we progress.

• Fresh articles and updates 6 days a week that help you see God is with you
• Helpful articles not only on grief, but also on adjusting to single life and finding the 'new normal'
• Permission to laugh and lighten up
• Facebook friends in the private group Lifeboat. Widows may "friend" me, Ferree Hardy, and mention Lifeboat to be added to the group.
• Christian resources for widows all together in one place: books, financial advice, support groups, retreat info, etc. If you can't find what you're looking for, just contact me
• Widows stories from the Bible, history and today  
• Me! I love hearing from you, any time, any reason, and I reply.
• Prayer support

WIDOWS INTERNATIONAL Based in Knoxville, TN, develops materials and provides "training on widows ministry to widows, church leaders, and those with a heart for widows ministry around the world," according to their site. They also provide an annual conference for widows hosted at Park West Church of God in Knoxville. Director Judith Nichols Moore shares the good news of God's passion for widows: we've not been left by chance, but rather, widows have a destiny of fulfilling God's powerful plan and purpose!
Where the world is conditioned to regard widows as victims, Widows International proclaims that the widows are vital and essential to a church's ministry and health because of the special relationship and place of attention they hold before God.
A visit to this website will bring you:

• Scripture references for widows and widows ministry
• Several encouraging videos for widows
• Helpful articles
• Conference registration

Widows Peek  The Widow’s Peek is a new ministry located in the North Carolina area that desires to bring widow/widowers together in community and provide resources from ministries around the country to help them rebuild their lives and draw closer to the Lord in the process. They hope to serve the widowed community of men and women in various ways, including a newsletter, support groups and fellowship times.

Dear one, the first place I want to refer you to is your local church. The people who know you and love you are God's first line of grace to you. After that, take a look at the resources above, check their doctrinal statements and alliances. They exist to minister to you, so feel free to contact them to see which ones God will use to give you some guidance through grief. Please let me know if you find other websites that I should list. Thank you for helping other widows by passing along your information! 

♥ ferree