The "Personal Growth Workshop for Widowed Women" has been created by two counselors: Simona Anca and Iuliana Vomir. Every week, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Hope in Turda, 14 widowed women gather to grow and develop personally, forming a support group for emotional support. Together they are discovering their personalities better, seeking and finding, with God's help, a place of understanding, empathy, and safety in situations of violence or emotional dependency. In this way, they learn to love themselves, regain self-confidence, and become actively involved in the community.
Some of the topics covered are:
Stereotypes, myths and prejudices - How they influence our lives and how we can get rid of them
Family projects - Building a balanced future
Social and family environment"- The impact of relationships on personal development
Sexuality and awareness - Understanding our own identity and emotions
Repeated patterns and toxic relationships - How to recognize them and how to free ourselves?
Violence and addiction - Finding the support to overcome these challenges
Self-awareness and personal safety - Learning to respect and protect ourselves
These sessions encourage women to connect authentically with others, and help them to understand that respect is fundamental and that one can learn from the experiences of others, both successes and mistakes.
The presentations, the sharing of personal experiences together with the application and introspection exercises, and the moments of prayer spent together, all give a sense of appreciation and security, create bonds of unity and friendship, and a space of belonging where you are understood and accepted. May God help us to cherish each other and not forget that we always learn something from every human being!
According to a report by Simona Anca, Director of Women's Ministries Department, Northern Transylvania Conference, Romania