Church Resources for Widows Ministries

Dear Ministry Leader,
In the two categories below you'll find first of all: group curriculum, study guides or websites.
Second: a list of excellent Christian speakers who also happen to be widows. Some of them address widowhood specifically, but most of them are equipped to cover any Bible topic. I do not receive any types of payment or commission for these listings.   
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HELPS FOR DEVELOPING WIDOWS MINISTRIES AND SUPPORT GROUPS
From community-wide video series to casual book club get-togethers, here is a list with links for Bible-based support groups that have curriculum or study guides available to use in your church or community. Please refer to each doctrinal statements or denominational affiliations to determine a good fit for your church.

WidowConnection website. offers a 5-lesson DVD series, One Widow to Another - The Connection That Counts, Encouraging and empowering widows to move forward into a positive future by Miriam Neff, this series is based on her book From One Widow to Another - Conversations on the New You. Sample video clips or purchase ($59.00) on the Widow Connection website.

Beyond The Broken Heart. Within this website, you will find a broad range of topics on the emotional, spiritual, and practical aspects of grief most of us experience. Walk through your grief journey alongside Julie Yarbrough, who herself is a widow and understands the pain of personal grief. The blogs, books, daily devotionals, prayers, and support for grief groups offer her personal insight to guide and encourage you on your journey through grief. You may be especially interested in Inside the Broken Heart, Grief Understanding for Widows and Widowers

Chera Fellowship, part of the IFCA, offers a magazine for widows and provides tips for starting a Chera group.

Fellowship of Young Christian Widows-Widowers This link will take you to informative pages for churches regarding questions to ask about starting support groups; what to say/what not to say; the distinctive losses of widows and widowers; homeschool links etc.

Widows' Christian Place Consider using the book club discussion guide for Postcards from the Widows Path. Offering a casual book club introduction helps widows build a network of support and rich friendships. Using Postcards helps them understand God's love and care for widows through the story of Ruth and Naomi.
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SPEAKERS FOR EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
Do you need a speaker for your upcoming event? These widowed speakers will bring rich and godly wisdom and draw listeners to a closer walk with God.

Jennifer Sands - nationally known 9/11 widow who came to salvation after her husband's death and has since also dealt with breast cancer
Gracia Burnham - internationally known widow who was held hostage by terrorists for over a year in the jungles of the Phillippines
Sandra Aldrich this author and popular inspirational speaker, is the president of Bold Words, Inc.        and, she says, has a "Ph.D. from the School of Hard Knocks."
Grace Fabian Bible translator, speaker and author tells the dramatic story of her husband's murder and the ensuing reconciliation with the tribal people they served.
Phyllis Vavold Phyllis is an author and popular inspirational speaker in the Pacific Northwest where she shares the story of her miraculous survival from a head-on collision which killed everyone else involved.
Miriam Neff founder of Widow Connection. Miriam, from the Chicago area, is involved in training widows in Africa, is a frequent guest on Moody Broadcasting's Midday Connection, and also has a radio program called New Beginnings.
Cynthia Bezek author and speaker. She's available to speak, teach or lead retreats or workshops; especially regarding the topic of prayer.

Do you know of other widowed women and widows organizations which should be listed here? Please contact me and tell me about them. WCplace@gmail.com

Thank you for your concern for widows and widow ministries!
ferree