Heart to Heart - Ministry for Widows

"Religion that our God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans
and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27.

  • More that 800,000 women are widowed each year in the U.S.
  • The average age at which a woman becomes a widow is 55.
  • A widow will lose 75 percent of her friends.
  • 50 percent will leave their church after being widowed.
  • 60 percent will suffer a serious illness within the first year.
  • One third will meet the criteria for clinical depression within the first month.
  • Fifty percent of those will continue to meet the criteria after one year.
  • In most cases income declines.†

Heart to Heart is a ministry for widows that strives to meet each widow at her level of need in order to provide comfort, emotional support and practical information on how to develop her new life, all with a Biblical perspective.

An initial visit with a Christian widow will be offered in order to “come along side” her in her sorrow. Each widow will receive a care package containing books of encouragement and instruction (see right sidebar for Care Package Resources), a survey which will allow her to share her needs, and a resource referral list. Each widow will be assured that although she may at times lose sight of this fact, she is held close to God’s heart.

All women are welcome to participate in the monthly social outings. See right sidebar for information on upcoming outings.

Heart to Heart serves widows in DeKalb County, but does not exclude widows from adjacent counties. Contact the church office if you are interested in participating in either or both of these activities.

†Statistics taken from Miriam Neff, author of From One Widow to Another -- Conversations on the New You.












































Support Group

Meets weekly for 11 weeks.
Next Session Begins Sat., Nov. 12
Saturdays at 2:00 pm in Rm 116

Monthly Social Outings

Thu., Feb. 9
Movie Night (movie and time TBD)

Sat., Mar. 17, 10:30 am
Meet at Flappy's for breakfast

Sat., Apr. 21, 2:00 pm
Spa Day (host TBD)

Sat., May 5, 12:00 pm
Meet at Crumpet's Tea Room in Genoa
RSVP to Karen at least 2 weeks prior

June
Dinner with a movie
at Naperville location

Sat., July 14
Cook out at Ann J's house

Sat., Aug. 4
Paint you own ceramic
and Naperville River Walk

Contact Karen Nelson for specific info on the above.

You may also contact the church at 815-756-8729 and leave your name and number and you will be contacted with additional information.

Email: Heart to Heart

Care Package Resources

From One Widow to Another: Conversations on the New You

Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love: Daily Meditations to Help You Through the Grieving Process

Hope in Times of Grief

Resource Referral List

Suggested Reading … When Your Grief Is Not So Fresh

A Grief Observed

A Grace Disguised -- How the Soul Grows Through Loss

Why? Trusting God When You Don't Understand

Hope for the Heart

Helpful Links

Grief & Loss
WidowConnection.com

Resources for Family/Friends

Seven Top Tips to Help Widows