Offering help and hope in the new year to individuals seeking guidance and support as they deal with issues surrounding divorce, the Singles Ministry at Eden Westside Baptist Church in Pell City is restarting their Divorce Care program.

Eden Westside Singles Ministry Director Phil Brasher will lead the sessions.  The first session takes place Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6:45 p.m. at the Eden Westside Singles Ministry house.

Brasher plans to hold sessions on Wednesday nights so that childcare will be available for parents.

“It is set up so that people who want to participate who may otherwise shy away from the opportunity because they have no way to care for their kids may do so.”

One of the goals of Divorce Care is to address issue Christians face when going through a divorce.

“There is so much stigma attached to being a Christian and getting a divorce, and that stigma creates added stress for Christians going through it,” Brasher said.

Although the program addresses the stigma of divorce tied to Christian faith, it is open to anyone going through divorce or anyone who has been divorced.

The program consists of 13 weekly sessions that deal with divorce from a biblical perspective.  At the beginning of each session participants watch a 30-40 minute video that illustrates real-life situations people face in divorce.  Videos are followed up with discussion.

“The sessions don’t sugarcoat things,” Brasher said.  “They are designed to help people work through what is happening or what has happened to them.

“I hate to see the walking wounded.  Divorce is a weird animal and can be tricky if not dealt with properly.”

Brasher says he hopes participants in the program will come to an understanding of their situations and realize that even though divorce is life changing, it is not life ending.

“It’s okay to grieve the death or change of a relationship, but there comes a time to move forward.  This is about letting God heal you,” Brasher said.

Program sessions schedule

Session One: What is happening to me?

Session Two: The road to healing/finding help

Session Three: Facing my anger

Session Four: Facing my depression

Session Five: Facing my loneliness

Session Six: What does the owner’s manual say?

Session Seven: New relationships

Session Eight: Financial survival

Session Nine: Kid care

Session Ten: Single sexuality

Session Eleven: Forgiveness

Session Twelve: Reconciliation

Session Thirteen: Moving on, Growing closer to God

—This is an open group, so participants may attend sessions at any time.