The Oxford, Pa., Community Courier and TownLively news site has reported about a new ministry at Gateway Church, a Grace Brethren church in Parkesburg, Pa. (Scott Feather, lead pastor). A DivorceCare course will be offered at the Parkesburg campus beginning in mid-September. A portion of the story appears below. Click here for the complete article.
DivorceCare Support Group Offered
For people going through separation and divorce, there is help and support.
Gateway Church is offering a 13-week, faith-based course titled DivorceCare each Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. beginning Sept. 13 at the main campus in Parkesburg.
“(DivorceCare is a ministry) to help (people) go through the process of being healed, to help them understand the hurt, the pain, the confusion. It’s a group that gives support to the people,” said Todd Henley, who will be one of the facilitators for the program along with his wife, Yvette.
“Being separated and going through divorce is probably the most excruciating time in a person’s life. They need direction, they need hope (and) they need answers. Their life is a whirlwind,” Henley said.
Each session of the course will begin with viewing a short film that covers a specific topic related to separation and divorce. It will be followed by small group discussion of the video.
Weekly topics for each week will cover a wide range of subjects such as dealing with the anger and bitterness and pain of divorce, as well as more tangible issues such as finances getting a lawyer. “The bottom line is helping people experience healing and hope as they go through their divorce,” Henley said.
The program is structured so that participants do not need to attend the first session, and they can join the group at any time. Participants will each receive a workbook, and there is a small fee to cover the cost of the book. Participation is open to everyone, regardless of what church they attend, if any.
“We’re opening it to the wider community. It’s for anyone at all who’s going through separation or divorce. In fact, we would definitely want (to welcome) those who may not attend church at all,” Henley said. “When a person goes through separation or divorce, they become isolated. We can help them to go through the healing they need.”
The program is for men and women who are in any stage of separation or divorce. Reconciliation is suggested throughout the video series, along with the recognition that it may not always be possible.
“It’s for the person who is separated and also for the person who maybe is remarried but still dealing with the issues, bringing in baggage to their marriage,” Henley said. “It’s for anyone who is still going through pain.”
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