The First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, 11 Springfield Ave, will hold their eight-week seminar “Journey to Wholeness- Healing the Grieving Heart” on Sunday evenings from January 13, 2019 to March 3, 2019.
Patti Williams, R.N. and certified pastoral bereavement counselor, and Virginia Waters, Ph.D. and psychologist, will lead the sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Prime Time Room at the church. This location is handicapped accessible.
Williams and Waters have offered this seminar for over 18 years, and have helped 2,800 people experience healing, find a new purpose for their lives and feel joy once again. “This is an experience like no other,” states Williams.
The sessions include learning about the stages of grief and understanding the tasks of the grieving process, coping strategies, dealing with loneliness, building a support system and more.
The seminar is dedicated to Williams’s late husband, the Rev. Dr. Bruce D. Williams who had a vision for this program, wanting to help others deal with their pain and suffering during their time of loss.
One participant, Joan, states, “I have learned more along this heartbreaking journey than I ever thought possible. I have learned that you will never ever forget your love and that you are changed forever, but you need to give yourself permission to heal. I have learned that I can revisit the past, but I cannot live in it, because it undermines my present and all that I have is just today. I have learned that love never dies and my love is with me always because he sends me signs to tell me so. These are my greatest treasures. I have learned that by keeping his memory alive with stories, photos etc. it makes me smile and brings me a kind of peace. I believe that your loved one only wants the best for you and you will be reunited one day.”
Both of the leaders and all of the facilitators have experienced loss within their lives and share from the inside out. “It does not matter if the loss is divorce, death or job loss; loss is loss, it must be grieved. It does not matter how long ago you experienced loss. Bring family members and friends,” states Williams. All faiths are welcome. To register for this event, call Williams at 908-709-1341. No fee is charged, though registration is required.
(above, l-r) Patti Williams,, RN, certified pastoral bereavement counselor, and Dr. Virginia Waters, Ph.D., phycologist, have been running the Grief Seminar for 18 years.
