The Volunteer Chaplaincy Program at Gifford Medical Center invites community members to attend “Four Fridays in February: Living Through Loss,” from noon to 1:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 1 in the Red Clover Conference Room at Gifford. The free, weekly bereavement series is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one, whether in death or a relationship change such as divorce.
Each of the Friday sessions will be facilitated by Gifford Volunteer Chaplain Anna Mary Zigmann, RN, an ordained minister and spiritual care provider specializing in trauma and loss. Sessions will feature local guest speakers, including Irene Schaefer, the Rev. Jim Proctor, and Theresa Hamlin, and provide time for discussion.
“We encourage anyone who has experienced a major loss to join us for this important new series at Gifford, whether you can drop in for 10 minutes or an hour, for one or all four of the sessions,” said the Rev. Timothy Eberhardt, spiritual care coordinator for the Chaplaincy Program at Gifford. “Anna Mary has a unique way of connecting and getting people talking and sharing their stories—or just listening—enabling participants to take healthy steps to cope and move on from loss. All are welcome.”
Specifically, Zigmann will teach participants the importance of networking and how to form a Network of Five Common People who can help the bereaved through what can be overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, anger, hurt and sadness. Such a network would be in addition to counseling.
For more information about “Four Fridays in February: Living Through Loss,” email Eberhardt or , or call 802-728-2107.
The Chaplaincy Program at Gifford offers spiritual guidance and listening ears to patients, nursing-home residents, and friends and family members in need. Each volunteer chaplain receives special training to provide spiritual care for all situations with the goal of helping individuals and families fully explore their personal beliefs and aspirations. For more information about the program, visit giffordhealthcare.org/volunteering or call 802-728-2107.
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