Receiving support, expert guidance and encouragement are some of the benefits of GriefShare, a free in-person support group designed to help people cope with the loss of a loved one.

Locally, the program is offered on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Gateway Church, 160 Cowan Road, Parkesburg. Meetings, which are facilitated by Paul and Twila Ranck, began on Jan. 9 and will run through April 3.

At each of the GriefShare sessions, attendees watch a 30-minute video on a grief-related topic that includes experts who speak on grief and recovery topics. Also featured are real-life stories from people who have experienced loss. Upcoming topics include "Your Grief Journey" on Jan. 16, "Loneliness and Sadness" on Jan 23, "Self-Care" on Jan. 30 and "Fearful and Overwhelmed" on Feb. 6.

"After the video, we talk about what we have seen and what we learned," Paul said, noting that 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." The workbook also includes a daily devotional.

Paul noted that some people who have gone through the GriefShare program return, since the information can be applied to people at different stages of grief. "Each session is self-contained, and you can repeat the ones you want or repeat all of them," he said.

In addition, group members sometimes form friendships and may get together outside the scheduled meetings. "In the group there are clusters of people who choose to meet outside the group as well. They meet as often as they want," Paul said. "In the one group we had, a few of (the participants) met even a year or two after the (GriefShare) sessions."

While the sessions are designed for people age 15 and older, people of all ages may attend GriefShare meetings, whether they have lost a spouse, parent, child, friend, sibling, other relative or co-worker. "(In) the last group we had some people in their 20s. Often we have some younger people that are part of the group," said Paul.

The Rancks have been facilitating GriefShare sessions since 2002. At one time, the meetings were held in their home. "We are on the third reproduction of the videos," Paul noted. "We started with the original video series, and they updated them a couple of times. It is the same content with small adjustments, different people, different speakers and some different examples. There are speakers that talk on the videos, and there are also people who are going through grief and loss who share."

Even with the passage of time, Paul said the goal of the group has remained the same - to support individuals who are dealing with loss. "We have enjoyed doing it, and we learned a lot. Every group provides (positive) feedback," he stated. "(When) we have participants come through all 13 weeks, it becomes almost like a family and as close as a family."

"What is really encouraging and interesting is we will be out, and people will come up to us and say, 'Thank you,'" he added. "When they come up to us, it means a lot."

For more information about the GriefShare session at Gateway Church or to register, visit http://www.griefshare.org/groups/254802. 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 and other meeting locations is available at http://www.griefshare.org.