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, the program is offered on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Gateway Church, 160 Cowan Road, Parkesburg, and it is facilitated by Paul and Twila Ranck. Meetings began on Jan. 16 and will run through April 9. People can attend GriefShare at any time because each meeting is self-contained.

At each of the GriefShare sessions, which are designed for people age 15 and older, attendees watch a 30-minute video on a grief-related topic that features real-life stories of people who have experienced loss.

"We watch the video, and each video is on a certain topic, but they are all related to grief and experiences people go through," Paul explained. "Then we have a time where we gather around and share together mostly about what is in the video. Or (we ask attendees), 'How is life going?' or 'What are you facing and how can we help?'"

All participants are provided with a free workbook, which corresponds to the video. "The workbook has an outline of the video where people can write notes," Paul said. "Some people go back after the session and go through it. There is also a daily devotional that you can go through until the next week comes around. There is lot of helpful information in the workbook."

People are welcome to repeat the sessions. "We often have people that repeat the 13-week session, or they will come back for one they might have missed or want to refresh a certain video that may want to hear again," said Paul. "We've had some who have attended at least three sessions. It depends who you are and what you are going through."

Paul noted that people go through various stages in grief as time passes, which is another reason to repeat the GriefShare program. "What you hear this time might be different from the next time because you are in a different stage," Paul said. "Sometimes the fog is so thick you can't hear anything the first time or you don't get much (out of a specific session) the first time you attend."

The Rancks have been facilitating GriefShare sessions since 2002, and they have seen how changes in technology have enabled group members to continue communication after the meetings if they choose. "The neat thing is that the group among itself get each other's phone numbers and text message back and forth. That is great to see happen," Paul said. "This last group that we had formed a text group and they asked us to join in. We had a caring group there."

He added that some support group members will also meet outside of the meetings. "They go for lunch or dinner. We have been invited to some of (those gatherings)," said Paul.

The topic for the meeting on Jan. 23 will be "Your Grief Journey." In this session attendees will learn what to expect along the journey of grief. The program also emphasizes that everyone's grief journey is different and suggests that people not compare their grief experiences with those of others.

Future topics will include "Loneliness and Sadness" on Jan. 30, "Self-Care" on Feb. 5 and "Fearful and Overwhelmed" on Feb. 13.

For more information about the GriefShare session at Gateway Church or to register, visit www.griefshare.org/groups/177709. Walk-ins will also be welcome. GriefShare attendees should enter through the church's main door and follow the signs to the meeting room. No child care is offered.

More information about the GriefShare program is available at www.griefshare.org.