ANEW Divorce Support Groups
Separation and Divorce are some of the most difficult life experiences anyone will ever face. The good news is that you do not have to go through it alone. There are others who are willing to help you bear the pain, who have been there themselves and lived through it. We can rebuild our lives…together!
Tuesdays, & Wednesdays
7-9 p.m.
Facilitators: Carley Friesen, and volunteers.
ANEW divorce support group is a specially designed program to help people going through divorce and/or separation to heal and become whole people again. About half the evening is spent sharing and checking in with each other. The other half focuses on discussion of a particular topic. There is a 15-week topic cycle primarily following a book by Bruce Fisher and Robert Alberti called, Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends.
We have our own Meetup.com group where you can post discussions, plan gatherings, and get updates of weekly events. Join us there.
Topics regularly addressed include:
Denial, Grief, Fear, Anger, Depression, Adaptation, Loneliness, Self-Worth, Transition, Forgiveness/Letting Go, Openness, Love & Trust, Singleness and Purpose, Relatedness, Dating Again!?
Additional topics are scheduled, as needed or suggestion.
BOOKS
Rebuilding books are available at group meetings for $15, or you can purchase them at your local bookstore or your favorite online source. We have a library of Divorce Recovery books which are available to borrow, most of which have been donated or recommended by group participants over the years.
History
The Divorce Recovery Program at Mt. Tabor began in January of 2006. The church had considered beginning such a program for more than 5 years previous and had already purchased a video curriculum and put up online advertisements. Then a change in staff, delayed that dream from every coming to fruition. But with the online ads out there, we kept getting phone calls from folks requesting to participate in the program. Clearly, there was a need for the program. Plans began to be put in place to launch the program in fall of 2006.
One day, a very distressed man called to inquire about the recovery group and was told it would start in a few months. But that wasn’t good enough for him. “Why not now? I need it now!” was his reply.
And so, ads went up on CraigsList, local bulletin boards, the divorce-related websites and it began. 15 people showed up the first night, most from outside the congregation. The program has been running year-round since then. Sometimes there have been so many participants that we have had two sessions a week. And we have had a couple of series of programs for children.
We still dream of more groups offered in other parts of the metro area. As more folks find their way to a new life, and begin to volunteer as facilitators, we may have the resources to expand this ministry.
A few quotes from the group:
“Its been almost 4 years since my relationship ended and though I’m still on this journey of making a new life for myself, I don’t feel I need divorce support any longer! This group did change my life and I have referred several newly divorced friends to it. Wish me luck.”
“This divorce support group has helped me so very much, not only being in the group and hearing what people have to say and feel, but also meeting new friends to share along this road of change and spirituality.”
“… I would like to thank you for these emails, as the group, though I only visited once, was a great help to me-especially these emails.”
“Thank you for being such an amazing group — I am so much stronger now and no matter what the future brings, I can face it with joy, honor, and humor and love.”
Our Mission is to:
– Welcome people who are divorcing, separated, or ending a committed relationship, without regard to ability to pay.
– Affirm the worth of each person in the midst of personal crisis.
– Provide a safe place for people to share their stories, listen to the stories of others, and find healing together.
– Help people rebuild a life.
– Provide ongoing support to people as they begin their lives anew…
** The group is open to people of all religious perspectives, or none at all. We do believe that real healing includes the spirit, and we know that people address the spiritual in many different ways. We encourage participants to share their journeys, wherever that takes them.
… feel free to join any of the groups at any time
