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Peer Group Facilitator

A quarterly newsletter of Starlight Ministries, Inc. Vol. 2 Issue 2

Star Journal
COMPASSION...LOVE...HOPE
I sit n a chair with our 17 year old daughter on my lap. Across from me is my 20 year old son, he has my 12 year old daughter on his lap. We are sitting in a room at Hospice Trillium Woods, sitting on either side of a husband and father. Sitting and waiting as his body shuts down after 20 weeks of pain, weight loss, chemo, drugs, side effects, awkward conversations, prayers (thousands), promises, apologies and finally acceptance. The last breath leaves his body, we are all paralyzed for a moment and then it happens. Grief. It surges in like a giant wave, crashing over each of us. It is consuming and heavy. And it is relentless. Grief. One year later I look back and am amazed not only by how far weve come but the path that led us from there to here. I find there are two constants that helped us survive and thrive, both before Ray passed and the year that followed. First, and most important, is a heavenly Father who provided support for our needs and showed us how faith in Him would get us through Rays physical death. Second was our ability to truly understand the concept of acceptance. Enter Starlight Ministries. Kate and I walked through the door for our first group support on August 25, 2011. We had no idea what to expect and we both felt a little apprehensive. It wasnt long before we both knew this was where we are meant to be. Starlight is a place to find acceptance. Acceptance that we are not the only ones feeling this level of grief, we are not alone. Each of us heals in our own time and way. Starlight is a place we could explore our healing openly and without judgment. Over the last year we found a way to accept the cards we were dealt and that our lives are now different. Accept that we probably made some mistakes but there is no room for would-of, UPCOMING EVENTS should-of or could-of; we did the best we could. Accept that the question of why us or why 9 June 13: HUGS Ranch field trip 91pm him may never be answered. It is what it is. 26June 26-29: Camp ANEW at Grace Adventures Accept what has happened, own it and then use 1July 30: Monday Movie Matinee 1-4pm at church the experience to move forward. At Starlight we RSVP by July 25 found love and compassion, we found a way to heal, we found we still have hope. 10August 10-11: Facilitator training
2012August 23: 1st group of 2012-13 September 13: Family picnic

Looking for more ways to volunteer? Check out our website for more information www.starlightmin.org

Bring hope to families ages 4-18 and adult who are grieving. This involves having the ability to be an empathetic listener, enjoy spending time with children, teens, and adults, and to be passionate about sharing the Hope that we have in Christ. 15 hours of training is required and provided by Starlight Next training is August 10, 2012 from 6:00-9:00pm and 6:009:00August 11, 2012 from 9:00-4:00pm Time commitment is 3 hours (5:30-8:30pm) 2 times a month from Sept.-May This opportunity requires a one year commitment Fill out a volunteer application online at www.starlightmin.org Set up/Take Down Crew

We currently meet at Ridgewood Church in Jenison, Michigan on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month SeptemberMay Set up crew: 3:30-4:15 Take down crew: 7:30-8:15

Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year

Starlight Ministries, Inc. PO Box 161 Hudsonville, MI 49426

Board of Directors Karen Schuitema Steve Griffioen Dan Verwolf Mark VanderKooi Amy VandeStreek Scott Rookus Peter Smit Greg Van Wienen

Phone: 616.662.1999 Fax: 616.662.4887 www.starlightmin.org

Starlight Ministries is a Christian grief-healing ministry for children and adults who have experienced a death loss in their life from a family member or close friend. Starlight was founded by Greg & Jolynn Van Wienen after the tragic death of their 10 year old son, Seth, in a car accident. Its mission is to provide a safe, Christian environment for children and adults to express their grief, to be able to find ways to cope with their grief, and then to find Hope within their grief. This is achieved by participants sharing feelings, experiences, and memories with peers in a support group setting. The death may have been recent or long ago.

Summer Office Hours Monday Thursday 9am-4pm Office is located at 3376 Central Blvd. Hudsonville, MI 49426 616.662.1999

Special thanks to Shelli & Kate for sharing their story

November 1: Embrace the Hope Fundraiser

Running the Race Hebrews 12:1 5/3rd River Bank Run Charity Partner2012
Our 1st year as a Charity Partner for the 5/3rd River Bank Run was a huge success! Our goal was to have a team of 50 runners and to raise $10,000. God blessed us beyond our imaginations by having 100 runners and raising close to $11,000! We could NOT have done it without Team Starlight. A HUGE thank you to all our team members for the time and effort you put into training, running, and raising money for Starlight! Join our team again in 2013!!

PRE-RACE PASTA DINNER TOP FUNDRAISERSTHE HUIZENGA FAMILY!TEAM!

I want to come I WA N T TO Chave group T I M E W E every time we O M E E V E RY

I H AV E G R O U P !

SISTERS OF STARLIGHT

FOX-RITTER FAMILY

We are partnering again this year with Camp Anew for our summer camp experience! Any child from the ages of 7-17 is invited to come and enjoy a few days away at camp! It is from June 2629 and the cost is $250 with scholarships available to those who need financial assistance. Registration forms available online at www.campanew.org or at the registration desk during groups. If you register online, notify them that you are a Starlight family.

OUR OWN KEITH KAMPHUIS BEING INTERVIEWED BY NEWS 8S LAURA VELASQUEZ!

Introducing..Starlight Ministries

Galaxy Group
The Galaxy Group consists of volunteers who are passionate about supporting our mission and spreading the word about Starlight. They will be an active participant in fundraising activities and events throughout the year. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting Starlight Ministries. Group meetings will be held four times a year to plan and create ideas to help support the ministry, and discuss details of upcoming events. 2 levels of membership available depending upon your availability Active Members participate in all groups and events. Annual dues are $25 Supporting Members participate in a few of the events. Annual dues are $50.

TIMMERMAN FAMILY THE HULSTS

COOPER FAMILY

Want more information about the Galaxy Group, call Jolynn at 662.1999 or jolynn@starlightmin.org

STARLIGHT FRIENDS