A number of faith-based support groups of the Hydesville Community Church were organized to offer opportunities for healing, health and restoration. Starting this September, the church will offer support groups that focus on cancer, grief, substance abuse, gambling addictions, and a host of other problems that tax the spirit and the soul. The support groups are offered free and according to Penny Fregeau of the Hydesville ministry, the sessions are Christ-centered, but all are welcome to attend.

With their Cancer Support Group, anyone in the community who has dealt with cancer, or knows someone who has it may attend.

According to Fregeau, the group does not offer advice on the treatment of cancer, but the group is there to share and listen to others who are on the same path.

The Cancer Support Group meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is led by those who are currently fighting cancer and offer hope to others through their own experiences.

Substance abuse, divorce, domestic violence and a number of other issues are addressed by their Second Chance Ministries, a group that has separate meetings for men and women. This particular ministry gleans much of it's wisdom from the Celebrate Recovery, a program that originated at Saddleback Church and it's founder, John Baker, who found freedom from his addiction to alcohol. Both this group and the Cancer Support Group are set to start in September.

For those dealing with grief, Hydesville Community Church will be offering what they call GriefShare. This is a video seminar and support group for people who are grieving the loss of someone close and is designed to help hurting people by combining practical information with a biblical focus on issues which accompany the grieving process.

The church also sponsors an 8-step recovery program called Life Hurts-God Heals. This support group focuses in on teens and young adults with life tools dealing with emotional pain, addiction, depression, and abusive relationships. This group will take place weekly at the church. According to Fregeau, the team of leaders have great compassion for young people.

Lastly, the church is offering a resource for women called AVENUE: the "Unintended Journey” which is for those who have been devastated by infidelity and betrayals. In addition, the group deals directly with the issues of sexual addiction and pornography. This confidential support group will meet weekly for six months.

For more information, call Penny Fregeau, Director of Life Groups, Women's Ministry and Counseling at the church at 768-3767, or email her at hccpen@yahoo.com.