Pastor Pete Van Dyke. Canyon Lake’s Pastor Pete Van Dyke will begin a 13-week GriefShare class in which he reaches out to help those who have lost a loved one. This loss can be as close as a few months away or years since the actual loss. Classes will be held on 13 consecutive Mondays beginning October 12. Classes are held in Building A at Canyon Lake Community Church. Duplicate classes are held at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
In this class, Pastor Pete provides a safe place where grieving family members and friends can find tools to help them deal with the stress that accompanies the death of a loved one.
“Stress has been identified as America’s number one health problem causing a person to experience many negative issues,” said Pastor Pete. “A person’s physical and mental health is greatly affected by the stress that one may be enduring at that time. One of the greatest stress factors in life is the death of a loved one.”
For the past eight years, Canyon Lake Community Church has provided GriefShare, a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside others through one of life’s most difficult experiences. During the many sessions that have been held by Pastor Pete, many relate how being involved in these sessions have helped them to face life once again with hope and a positive attitude.
At each session, the GriefShare group watches a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects and then spends time discussing the video as a support group. During the week, participants have the opportunity to use their workbook for further personal study of the grieving process and to help sort out their emotions through journaling.
Several topics will be addressed, such as why one’s grief experience is harder than they may have imagined. The issue of dealing with those who try to rush one through one’s grief will be discussed along with why the path to healing from grief isn’t always smooth. How to get things done when one does not have the energy is always a popular topic.
Participants do not need to be a member of Canyon Lake Community Church to attend. Meetings are open to everyone who has a need. Each week is self-contained, so one does not have to attend the classes in sequence. Participants will find encouragement and help whenever they begin. Face masks and social distancing are required.
