GriefShare, a free grief counseling program, will return to Pequea Church, 40 Church Road, Lancaster, on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Sessions will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday from Sept. 3 to the final meeting on Nov. 5, which will include a luncheon and a candle-lighting ceremony. Registration will be accepted at any point during the program.

This year, GriefShare will offer afternoon sessions to accommodate people who may be unable to attend the typical evening meetings. For the last 20 years, the program has exclusively held evening sessions.

The GriefShare program seeks to offer resources and support as those experiencing the loss of a loved one navigate the mourning process. The program's weekly meetings also allow participants to meet others who have experienced similar challenges coping with grief. In the past, GriefShare sessions have drawn attendees from various parts of the Southern End, including the Millersville, Quarryville and Willow Street communities and adjacent areas.

Each session will incorporate informational material that is centered around scriptural teachings and Christian themes, including educational videos on various topics related to grief and mourning. In 2023, GriefShare updated its latest edition to highlight topics such as suicide, isolation and anxiety, as well as difficulties directly related to the coronavirus pandemic and its residual effects on members of the community. The latest edition also shortened the length of its informational videos to allow participants to have more time to discuss their experiences.

"A lot of people told me they appreciate the new video topics and longer sharing times. I think it helps with the unpredictability of grief," said Trina Barr, who will facilitate the program along with Dave Perry and Sherry Mull.

The three community members have found support through the program after experiencing a personal loss. Barr introduced the program to Pequea Church more than 20 years ago after joining a grief support group in Quarryville via Hospice & Community Care. Barr had recently experienced the loss of her younger brother, and she was inspired to start the program to share her positive experience participating in the support group.

"(Perry, Mull and I) have all experienced loss. We have a heart for it because we've been through it," Barr said. "When my brother died, there weren't many places to go. Now there are a lot more groups, but many people like this program because it incorporates biblical teaching."

For more information or to register for GriefShare, call the church office at 717-872-5579 or email Barr at jebarr@frontier.com.