FROM STAFF REPORTS

NORTH SHELBY – Adults and children coping with divorce can find hope and encouragement at DivorceCare, a ministry program at Inverness Vineyard Church.

DivorceCare is a weekly support group and seminar offered internationally. The next DivorceCare class at Inverness Vineyard Church will start at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 14.

An open house on July 30 is designed to give those interested in DivorceCare an idea of what to expect. No commitments to attend the program are required, but those interested can register at the open house.

DivorceCare for Kids, or DC4K, is for children ages 5 to 12 and runs on the same dates and times as the adult program.

Leaders are qualified as having been through the experience of being a child of divorce or have a childhood education background.

Janis Teller and her husband Steve lead DivorceCare at the church.

The Tellers each went through divorces before they met and married each other more than 24 years ago, and they are trying to help others going through similar circumstances.

“I have been through divorce myself, so I understand the pain and agony people go through,” Janis Teller said. “At this point in my life, I felt like it was time to reach out and help others.”

The Christian-based program consists of sessions in which group members watch short videos, hear live testimony from people who have received help and talk to each other about their experiences.

“We never make class members talk if they don’t want to,” Teller said. “You can sit with these people and, because you’ve been through it, you have compassion for them.”

Although DivorceCare is a faith-based program, Teller said it contains practical information anyone, regardless of their backgrounds, can use after a divorce.

The program touches on topics such as learning how to forgive, how to cope with anger, how to help your children with your divorce and how to handle loneliness.

“I feel like I have something to give them in experience,” Teller said. “We’re just here to help them along the path.”

The program itself is free to attend. The workbook fee (about $20) is the only cost participants incur.

Inverness Vineyard Church is located at 4733 Valleydale Road in North Shelby County.

Find more information and registration at InvernessVineyard.org under the “Get Help” tab, or visit the Facebook page at DivorceCare at Inverness Vineyard Church.