Debbie Wicker acknowledges that she had been thinking about it for a long time.
“It’s been tugging at me for a while, so I decided to get it started,” Eddie Wicker’s wife, Northside Christian Senior Minister Eddie Wicker, said. “But there was a need, both in the church and the community, as there are numerous women in the area who have experienced loss.”
Wicker established the Healing Hearts support group on June 23, with plans to meet at Northside Christian’s Fellowship Hall, 3115 Eagles Nest Road in Fruitland Park, right off Highway 441/27, at 10 a.m. Wednesdays.
Healing Hearts, according to Wicker, is a women’s support group that isn’t only for widows, but for any woman who has suffered a loss.
“We have some participants who have lost a child, a grandchild or sibling,” she said. “Healing Hearts is for them as well, as they have lost a big part of their hearts, and this group wants to help fill that void.”
The women describe their sadness and frustration as they try to move on from their losses at each gathering.
Wicker, on the other hand, underlined that Healing Hearts is not a depressing gathering.
“This is an uplifting event with plenty of hope,” she said. “There will be tears, but participants will also find laughter and support. People leave meetings with new friends, as well as Biblical encouragement. We are all together for a common purpose, and that is how to be better and getting on with life.”
Following more than a year of instability induced by the COVID-19 outbreak, Northside Christian is slowly resuming its usual schedule of activities with the opening of Healing Hearts. On the last Sunday of each month, the church reintroduced its popular “Big Meal on Campus” meetings, during which attendees share a potluck meal after worship.
After a summer holiday, Northside Christian’s Ladies Card Ministry and weekday Bible studies will recommence in the fall.
Every Sunday morning, Wicker herself takes the church’s youngest members into the “Kids Worship Center,” where they learn about the Bible and other topics via songs, activities, and puppet presentations.
“Our food pantry is also open from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month,” said Pastor Eddie Wicker. “Free food is given away to help meet some needs for those in the community.”
Due to food pantry duties, Healing Hearts does not participate on the first Wednesday of each month.
“The gatherings are open to any woman in the community, regardless if they are members of Northside Christian,” added Debbie Wicker.
Visit northsidechristian.info or call 352-326-8400 for additional information.
