Journey Groups
Journey Groups provide a safe place, in a small group setting, to work through the wounds of the past and grow toward a recovery of relationship with God and others. Groups include two trained facilitators and 6-8 group members and allow people to find and redeem their personal stories; rest in a safe place; receive honest, helpful responses; face damage done to them; recover their true identity; experience change; embrace God’s love; learn Biblical ways to walk through the process of restoration from the harm of abuse; and live life in freedom.
Journey Groups is a 12-week course that runs from January - April 2012.
What: Women's Journey Groups
Date: Every Tuesday, beginning January 31, 2012
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Place: Room 115
Cost: $35/person
What: Men's Journey Group
Date: Every Sunday, beginning February 5, 2012
Time: 10:45 a.m.- 12:45 p.m.
Cost: $35/person
Place: Pastor Jeremy's office (inside main church office)
Childcare is available upon request for Tuesday night sessions.
Our personal stories are often like a puzzle and we need to look at the individual pieces and attempt to place them in the bigger story of our life today. It may be helpful for you to read this list of Common Symptoms of abuse and check off ones that apply to you. Then examine the words you checked, asking God for insight into the origin of the things you have experienced. Do you see a connection between these symptoms and your personal struggles today?
Memory Blocks
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Insomnia
Fear
Guilt
Anger
Anxiety
Anorexia
Bulimia
Compulsiveness
Depression
Headaches
Distance from God
Isolation
Loneliness
Lack of self-control
Low self esteem
Over criticalness
Panic attacks
Shame
Perfectionism
Sexual problems
Substance abuse
Tiredness
Suicidal tendencies
Repeated victimization
Over eating
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Divorce Care for Kids
DC4K is a special group to help your children heal from the pain caused by a separation or divorce. DC4K provides your children with a safe and neutral place to recognize and learn to share their feelings.
For 13 weeks your children become involved in a fun, caring group at a church near you. The weekly session topics help your children learn that God’s love strengthens them and helps them turn their sadness to hope and their anger to joy.
Spring Session 2012
What: DivorceCare for Kids
Who: Children, ages 5-12
Date: Mondays, March 5 - June 14, 2012
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Where: gracespring, room 205/207
Cost: $15/child
Click here for registrations forms.
Please fill out one form per child and submit it along with $15/child (checks payable to gracespring) to the Response Ministries office at gracespring. You will be contacted by a facilitator to confirm your child’s enrollment.
To learn more about DivorceCare for Kids please visit DC4K
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Divorce Care
DivorceCare makes supportive care groups available to adults experiencing divorce or separation. Promoting emotional and spiritual growth is the primary goal.
In February 2011, gracespring began partnering with Radiant Church in Richland to offer this 12-week support group experience. For more information or to register for the next session, please contact Radiant Church at (269) 629-7111.
When: Every Monday
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Where: Radiant Church, 8157 East DE Ave, Richland MI 49083
Cost: $20 for first time attendees
NOTE: NO childcare available.
Also, beginning May 3, 2012, DivorceCare is being offered at Centerpoint Church (North 10th St., Kalamazoo) from 6:30 - 8:30. Contact Claudia at (269) 903-1129 or Mary at Centerpoint at (269) 375-4815 for more information.
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Charcot-Marie-Tooth
Southwest Michigan CMT Support Group
gracespring, room 302
8643 Gull Road
Richland, MI 49083
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, November) from 6:00-8:00 pm at gracespring in Room 302.
Next Meeting:
N0TE: May Meeting will be held in room 115
Date: May 17, 2012
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Open Discussion from 6:00 - 6:30 and 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Presentation and Q&A from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Topic: Open Discussion for the evening
CMT and facilitator Jori Reijonen, Ph.D. were recently featured in the Kalamazoo Gazette. Check out the stories at the following links: Muscular Dystrophy Article and 2011 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award
Recent research at the University of Michigan has produced some interesting new information about CMT. Please check out the article at http://www.speroforum.com/a/51500/Michigan-develops-its-first-disease-specific-embryonic-stemcell-lines
Dr. Shy and his colleagues have published an interesting journal article recently regarding diagnosis of CMT. They have described details of how to use the patient’s available information to limit the number of genetic tests performed, and make genetic testing less costly and more efficient. You can find links to the article and commentary at the following web address: http://quest.mda.org/news/research-briefs-cmt-cms-dmdbmd-fa-pompe-disease-sbma
Did you know....that Julie Newmar (who played Catwoman on the Batman series) has CMT? Check out this short news clip interview of Julie Newmar on an ABC station.
Did you know....there is now a notification card available for travelers with disabilities to make it easier to get through security checkpoints? For more information please visit http://quest.mda.org/news/card-issued-air-travelers-disabilities
CMT Links:
Wayne State Univ Article December 7, 2011
Cleveland Clinic Article December 11, 2011
Science Mag Article May 6, 2010
Science Daily Article May 18, 2010
For more information, contact group facilitator Jori Reijonen at drreijonen@aol.com or 269.341.4415
Jori Reijonen, Ph.D.
Faculty, University of Phoenix
Support Group Leader, Associated with the CMTA and MDA
Editor, Neuromuscular Diseases site at BellaOnline.com
http://neuromusculardiseases.bellaonline.com/Site.asp
This group is co-sponsored by CMTA and MDA.
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