FLORENCE, Wis. — The Florence Parish, which is a partnership in Christian Ministry between the First Presbyterian and Bethlehem Lutheran churches, has planned several special programs they hope will be timely and helpful for friends, neighbors and residents of the community and the surrounding area. All events are free and open to the public.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the parish will host its annual outdoor worship service led by the Rev. Cathy Morris at the Keyes Lake Pavilion. They welcome the public to walk over, drive in or come by boat to enjoy the service and music in this setting. Refreshments and fellowship will follow. No worship will take place at either church that morning.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, the Rev. Larry Warren will give a presentation, “Death and Hints of the Hereafter,” at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 900 Central Ave. in Florence. Warren had a unique opportunity to work as a chaplain with Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, the well-known author of “On Death and Dying: What the Dying Have to Teach Doctors, Nurses, Clergy and Their Own Families.” The book is remembered for describing the stages people who were dying often experienced.

Because of this work with Kubler-Ross, Warren has been privileged to be present with many people at the time of their death as a pastor or hospice chaplain.

In his talk, he will share some stories that illustrate why he chooses to use the word “privileged” and what he calls “hints of the hereafter” he has experienced in these sacred moments. This talk is open to professionals who work with the dying as well as anyone who has wondered about the experience of dying. A time of fellowship and refreshments will come after the presentation.

On Wednesday, Aug. 23, the GriefShare program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 409 Lake Ave. This is a 13-week non-denominational program that will offer understanding, help and encouragement to those who have experienced loss.

A short video will introduce the topic for the week, after which facilitator Kim Richmond will lead a time of sharing and group discussion. Each person will have a workbook to use for personal reflection and study.

There is no charge to participate in GriefShare; however, a donation can be made to defray the cost of the workbook if a person is able to do so. Future weekly meeting times will be determined by attendees.

Participants can attend on a weekly basis or asable and can begin at any time. To register for GriefShare, call the parish office at 715-528-4851. A message can be left at that number as well.

Those interested in QPR — Question. Persuade. Refer — training can attend a session from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. In this fundamental gatekeeper training, participants will learn about: current trends in the prevention of suicide; ways to separate fact from fiction surrounding suicide; basic communication skills to help start the conversation about suicide; steps to ask the suicide question, persuade someone to get help and refer them to help; and local, state and national resources to support suicide prevention.

This program will be presented at Bethlehem Lutheran Church by Mary VanHaute, a suicide prevention specialist and survivor of suicide loss. As with the other programs, participation in QPR is free.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, the Florence Parish invites all who have been affected by the complicated grief of suicide loss to attend an ecumenical service of hope and healing led by Morris and VanHaute at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Attendees are welcome to bring a memento to honor their loved one that can be placed on a table of remembrance during the service. All attending will receive a candle that will be lit during the service and that they can take with them in memory of their loved one. They ask that only those who have experienced grief from a suicide loss — along with those who support them — be in attendance at this service.

They consider themselves fortunate to have VanHaute sharing her expertise as a suicide prevention trainer. She is a summer resident in Florence County and lives in Clearwater, Fla. More information about her can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-vanhaute/.

The monthly Come to Supper free meal at First Presbyterian Church is scheduled each fourth Monday, starting at 5 p.m. Upcoming dates are Aug. 28 and Sept. 25. Those who attend can receive a full meal, dessert, beverage and conversation.

For more information about any of these programs, call the Florence Parish office at 715-528-4851.