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"Shepherds of Hope"
Bereavement Ministry
Grief is a process, and not a tidy one. The term “waves of grief” is very true, for grief can often sneak up on you and catch you by surprise. Therapists often talk about “stages of grief,” but the reality is these stages are not linear, rather are visited time and again. Persons often cycle back and forth between them. Each person handles grief differently, but one thing all persons experiencing grief have in common is that grief should be handled intentionally. When persons avoid grief, those feelings often build up to the point where they are unmanageable and lead to much larger issues. Our bereavement program encourages “intentional grieving,” which means thinking about, talking about, and reflecting on the loss of the person in your life, on a consistent basis. Activities such as reading, journaling, and sharing with others are vital components. Persons in grief often feel that no one else understands, and certainly, no other person goes through what they do. However, there are many people who have survived the journey of grief and can offer support in managing the process. A Shepherd of Hope is one of these persons.
These Shepherds have also experienced loss in their life and have survived. They have been specifically selected from among members of our congregation because of their compassionate spirit. They have been trained about the process of grief. They are prepared to walk the journey with you.
They are not a therapist or social workers, and can not "fix" your grief. But they can listen to you, cry with you, and offer the comfort of an open heart and grace filled presence.
If you or someone you know would benefit from being a part of the Shepherds of Hope bereavement ministry, please contact Burton Shepherd at bshepherd@fumcdallas.org or 214-220-2727, ext. 205.
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