(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).
- 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
Widow2Widow® offers "a ministry of encouragement, comfort, support and guidance to women who are dealing with the loss of their husbands." Be sure to visit the website for latest conference dates and to find a group in your area. According to the website, they list the following services:
· Provide support to widows through organized local W2W® support groups that will help widows understand and cope with the problems and concerns which they may experience in their daily lives.
· Provide a curriculum to any church or organization interested in establishing a Widow2Widow® ministry.
· Hold inspirational seminars, workshops, retreats and conferences to widows and those who are leading ministries to help others on this journey.
· Offer inspiration materials and guides to help widows adjust to the changes in their lives and to continue on their journey as women of God.
· Train Deacons and/or Elders and church staff in needs of widows and how to respond appropriately.
· Speak at Women’s conferences and retreats
· Provide a display for a conference and to bring the needs of widows in front of other exhibitors, etc.
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
- 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
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 Walk seeks "to partner with women in the creation of a “new normalcy” after the death of their spouse, faithfully dependent on God, surrounded by a loving Christian community and embracing life with hope, promise and vitality" according to their mission statement. Founder Christina Terry Cassidy was widowed in 2000 and started this organization in 2009. Widows Walk also hosts annual conferences for widows.
You'll find the following helps on this website:
- Register for a 10-week grief/growth group in the Denver area or by telecoaching
- Counselor referrals
- Widows conferences
- Link to Dr. Dan Trathen, psychologist, and beneficial articles
- Helpful articles
- Meaningful music
- Book list
♥ ferree
