Coping with Separation
There were approximately 141,500 divorces in Britain in 2005. Divorce is a devastating occurrence, with knock-on effects for children, families and friends.
Separation and divorce occur amongst church members too. Sadly, however, couples whose marriages are in trouble too often drop out from church activities.
It is reported that churches in the United States have found that outreach to divorced people and helping with their recovery has been one of their most successful forms of evangelism, drawing more new members to their congregations than any other community initiatives.
As churches we could be providing a port of call for those experiencing relationship difficulty, and should be ready to refer people to expert help.
- Retrouvaille is an organisation which runs a programme "designed to help heal and renew marriages. The word ‘Retrouvaille’ simply means ‘rediscovery’. The programme offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your partner, and a loving relationship in your marriage."
Find more information and see when the next programme is
being run: http://www.retrouvaille.org.uk/index.html
To speak to someone in confidence, tel 07973 380443
- Relate may be available in your area, for helping couples with relationship difficulties. www.relate.org.uk
- Southover Counselling offers professional counselling by committed Christians. They offer counselling to all people, "irrespective of background, gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic origin." This counselling is available for those needing help with relationship and family difficulties, coping with depression, stress, loss, abuse alcohol and drug-related issues and other problems.
Write to: Southover Counselling, Church End, 1 Cockshut
Road, Lewes. BN7 1JH
Tel: 07852 221449
Email:mail@southovercounselling.co.uk
www.southovercounselling.co.uk
- Breakthrough is an independent network of groups which seeks to support and care for those who are trying to rebuild their lives following broken relationships, separation or divorce, predominantly through a support programme.
“With feelings of rejection, fear, hopelessness and anger, it’s hard to admit that we’re not coping very well, and if we pretend to be okay we might fool others for a while but we cannot fool ourselves. If we try to run away from our situation, it only prolongs the agony and hinders our return to normality. Loneliness, fear of the future and the feeling of being out of control – wanting to get on with life but finding oneself unable to do so – can be overwhelming and almost unbearable.”
Self-help courses are run by trained co-ordinators, each of whom has worked through a recovery process from a broken relationship. On the eight-week course, to help them come to terms with their situation, participants are encouraged to air their views, listen to others and talk through their fears and hopes for the future. Within a caring and safe environment they are given the chance to take stock of their lives, learn from their experiences, discover coping strategies, consider children’s issues, deal with financial and practical matters, explore their emotions and spirituality, and work towards achieving a happier, more fulfilling future.
Local groups are currently based in Crowborough, Eastbourne and Crawley. Residential weekend programmes are also available at some venues across the country.
Contact Val on 01323 641768
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