What is Beginning Experience?
Beginning Experience (BE) is a peer ministry for separated, divorced
and widowed persons. The weekly series of sessions are designed
to help single again persons work through the loss of a loved one and
make a new beginning in life.
BE strives to create a space where those who have suffered a loss can
come together to re-evaluate their lives and move on to the future with
renewed hope, strength, and a new sense of meaning in their lives.
BE is an ecumenical Christian ministry. Religion and faith are
not requirements for participation, but spiritual beliefs and an
individual's personal relationship with God are addressed. Many
different faiths are represented in the support group, but the beliefs
and views of no specific faith are presented.
The BE support group is a voluntary, nonprofit organization.
Participant fees are only used to cover the expenses of the BE
program.
What do BE facilitators do?
BE facilitators are men and women who have experienced the loss of a
spouse through death, divorce or separation. They have
participated in the weekly support group and in the BE Weekend. THey
have also completed a special training program to prepare them for this
peer ministry and to help them guide participants through the program.
Who can benefit from BE?
BE is designed as an opportunity to bring closure to the past and make
a new beginning. The program is for those who no longer want to
be burdened with grief, lonliness, bitterness and guilt. It is
for persons who wish to see themselves as lovable and acceptable.
What happens in the weekly sessions?
The support groups
sessions consist of presentations
of feelings and sharing of one or more facilitators' experiences
on each weeks topic. At the conclusion of the presentation, a set of
questions is handed out.
A period of personal reflection time is given
for everyone to write their answers the questions. The questions
are designed to explore one's thoughts and feelings about each weeks
topic. They are not taken up. No one else will see
them.
Confidential dialog takes place in
small groups, where discussions are held in a non-threatening way so
that people can share as much or as little as they choose. This
process helps them discover new life in themselves and with
others.