JAGSTJamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Area Grief Support Team is hosting a Widow’s Retreat October 9th to October 11th at Maryvale Retreat Center in Valley City, ND. The weekend will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9th and concludes after a brunch on Sunday, October 11th . The cost of the retreat is $125.00 and includes 2 nights lodging in a private room, 5 meals and all supplies.

Our guests on Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, from JAGST, Diane Witzig and Kathy Vandeberghe explained that, the retreat is for women who have experienced the death of their husbands deal with many emotions, challenges and struggles as they grieve their loss. Although no one can take these struggles away and even though every widow’s experience is unique, spending time with others who have had a similar experience can often help in the journey of grief.

In Genevieve Davis Ginsburg’s book, Widow to Widow, she states “Widowhood is a club no one elects to join.… Only another widow knows what it feels like to become a widow. … Most widows are comforted and reassured when they can connect with others in the same human struggle.”

This retreat is an opportunity for widows to immerse themselves in healing with no distractions in a relaxing, supportive and positively charged atmosphere with others who have experienced the loss of a husband

. Participants will learn coping skills and about resources that may help during the grieving process.

The weekend will include special guest speakers, Tracy Johnk, Social Worker at Jamestown Regional Medical Center and Grief Recovery Specialist, Jeanne Putnam from Wahpeton, ND. The weekend will also include a panel of Jamestown Area Grief Support Team members who are widows; time for personal sharing and discussion; a Service of Remembrance and workshops on journaling, self-nurturing/pampering and understanding the grief journey. There will be time for informal interaction among those attending and time for private reflection while walking the beautiful Maryvale grounds.

For a brochure and registration form, please call Eileen at 701-251-1280 and leave a message that includes your name and mailing address. Registrations are due by September 21st and space is limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first- serve basis. For more information, please call Carol at 701-320-3801 or Kathy at 701-952-8001 or 701-659-8001

The Jamestown Area Grief Support Team is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering support to those who have experienced losses.