The Beginning Experience Weekend

A Beginning Experience Weekend offers help in closing the door gently on the past relationship and gives hope for a new Beginning. In this setting of caring people who have been through like experiences, we are guided in exploring our feelings and emotions and behaviors. The program helps deal with the natural grief process and offers an opportunity, through God, for turning the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth.

The process of the weekend focuses on discovering and expressing feelings. You will be reminded often that feelings are neither right nor wrong—they just are. You will be in a small group of 4 or 5 people led by 2 trained facilitators who are just further along in their grief journey than you are, but who remember well how they felt when their pain was fresh like yours. They also remember well the power of this weekend to help in healing and growing, and want to share this experience with you. You will have time set aside for personal reflection to explore your feelings. Opportunity to share what you discover about yourself comes as you meet in a small group where you are invited to share only what you wish to share.

An application will be mailed to you. A $25 nonrefundable deposit payable to Beginning Experience of Eastern South Dakota must be received two weeks prior to the weekend. Payment plans for the balance are available - please ask.

Weekends begin at 7:30 on Friday evening and last until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Due to the structure of the weekend, it is essential that you plan to be present for the entire weekend.

Weekend participants should be beyond the initial feelings of numbness and despair that usually follow the loss of a loved one. You should be at the point of wanting a new beginning and ready to work to make that desire a reality. Once the application for the weekend is received, someone will be available to help you determine your readiness for the program.