For those struggling with the death of a loved one, GriefShare can help.

GriefShare is a free, in-person support group program for anyone who is grieving the loss of a spouse, parent, child of any age, friend, sibling, co-worker or relative.

Locally, a new session of GriefShare, led by Al Kimball, pastor of pastoral care, will begin at Brick Lane Community Church, 52 S. Brick Lane, Elverson, on Thursday, March 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. The group will meet on Thursdays through May 30.

In addition, the program is offered on Thursdays at 1 p.m. on the campus of the Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook. Led by members of the pastoral care team, including Tel Hai chaplain David Hicks, meetings will run through April 18.

People can attend GriefShare at any time because each meeting is self-contained. Following an introduction, each meeting features a 30-minute video on a grief-related topic that includes real-life stories of people who have experienced loss, as well as advice from experts in the field. Participants are asked to purchase a workbook, which corresponds to the video.

"You can come anytime and people that came before and need a 'tune-up' can show up again," stated Kimball, noting that the program was offered previously at the church last fall. "We normally see people who have lost a spouse, but we have also had parents who have lost children."

He said that people are encouraged to share their feelings during the meeting, but it is not necessary. "People are at different places in their grief journey. We never put pressure on anybody. If they want to share, they can," Kimball said. "If someone is quiet, we might ask them what they are thinking. We will ask open-ended questions to foster communication."

Prior to offering GriefShare at the church, Kimball attended the program at Tel Hai after receiving permission from Hicks, who is also his friend. "I wanted to introduce it to our church, and I observed," he stated. "I got the flavor of it and that helped me in terms of getting it going in our church and training our volunteers."

To register for the program at Brick Lane Community Church, email griefshare@brick52.org or visit http://www.griefshare.org/groups/184325. Walk-ins will also be welcome. Beverages, including coffee and tea, will be provided.

At Tel Hai, the meetings are open to people in the community as well as Tel Hel residents. "We sit around a table and give people an opportunity to introduce themselves and tell a little bit of their story," Hicks explained. "Then, we talk about the video and the lesson and give people an opportunity to share and ask questions and give responses and discuss where they are in their grief journey."

The corresponding workbook, he noted, includes an outline where people can write notes about the videos. Since GriefShare is a Christian-based program, Bible verses and devotionals are also included. "(The purpose of the workbook) is to keep you focused and engaged and thinking about what you have been learning," said Hicks.

Hicks pointed out that some people are reluctant to attend GriefShare, and it may be especially difficult the first time. "We encourage people that if you want to come and sit (and listen), you are welcome to do that. We don't force anyone to enter into the discussion, but they are invited to," he pointed out. "We encourage people to come for at least three weeks to decide if the group is a good fit for them or not."

Like Kimball, Hicks emphasized that attendees may repeat the program since people go through various stages in grief as time passes. "The impact is different. For those who come quickly after they lost a loved one, they are in a great deal of shock," Hicks shared. "They get encouragement and help through the group, but when they come back a second time, they are much more in tune to discover things that can help them. Also, when they share their stories, that is an encouragement to someone who has recently lost someone."

The Tel Hai GriefShare sessions are held in the Scalies Private Dining Room at StoneCroft, 4000 Tree Line Drive, Honey Brook. Attendees may purchase food at a cafe located next to the dining room before or after the meeting.

For more information about the GriefShare session at Tel Hai or to register, visit www.griefshare.org/groups/178753. Walk-ins will also be welcome. Those with questions may contact Hicks at dhicks@telhai.org or 610-273-9333, ext. 2443.