| abstract | The intent of this rigorous academic and practical project was three fold. Our first intent was to provide a bible based
grief support group for church and unchurched adults grieving the loss of loved ones. It was also our intent that our learning and experience would develop
into a viable grief support ministry at New York Worship Church, a ministry that is scarcely available to non-existent in most churches. Thirdly, it is our
intent that this project would serve as a model helping other churches and funeral service providers to see the mutual benefits of working collaboratively
to provide a similar ministry to the constituents of their communities. The project was carried out over a six-week period, which included a weekly video
seminar on a grief-related topic. The videos featured respected counselors and teachers who have faced their own grief and who share insights on how to walk
through grief in a healthy way. There were also personal testimonies of people who shared their struggles and what helped them. After, each video, time was
spent in small group discussion of the concepts from the video and how they apply to participant's day-to-day struggles and life. I and other leaders from
New York Worship Center Church facilitated these discussions. The Lay Advisory Committee was carefully recruited and included among others a Licensed Funeral
Director; a Licensed Social Worker, and a Practicing Attorney. These professionals not only served extremely well as co-facilitators, but their expertise and
knowledge proved to enhance each session. I would be remiss not to mention that Ms. Jameison, our attorney was so committed to the integrity of the project and
to those who would benefit from it, offered pro-bono legal assistance to each of the participants as they had need concerning the estates of those who had recently
passed away. By the end of the first session all involved could tell that this project was going to be a tremendous success. It was also confirmed through
comments made by the participants, that the idea to bring this opportunity to the community as a collaboration between New York Worship Church and J. Foster
Phillips Funeral Home was not only a very smart idea, but a very considerate way to give back to the community. This project demonstrated the effectiveness
and projected outcomes of the Congregational Growth and Community Development area of study. By identifying a need within our local community and by finding
a way to meet that need with a community partner helped to demonstrate what it means to live out the gospel and share the love of Jesus Christ. I and the Lay
Advisory Committee members were all transformed by this experience, but more importantly the participants received the necessary tools, and ministry that was
needed to help them move from mourning to joy.
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