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MARQUETTE TWP. -- According to the latest census statistic, more than half of marriages in Michigan end in divorce.

Confusion, anger and hopelessness--these are all normal feelings when going through a divorce, according to DivorceCare, a Christian-based group that meets weekly to help people who are going through or have gone through a divorce or separation.

"It helped me a lot because I learned how to deal with things, and I learned the reasons why things are, and...it made me believe in myself again," said group member, Larry Syrjala.

The program lasts 13 weeks, and at each session, group-goers watch a video that shows others who have gone through the grieving process.

And even though it's a Christian-based group, you don't have to be Christian to attend.

"It's a real open group. We welcome anybody feeling that pain. We want people to be comfortable. It's a safe environment," said group leader, Bob Weisenberger.

Group members say that talking to their friends and family didn't cut it.

"People want to help you, and they think they're saying the right things. A lot of them didn't go through it, so they don't know. It was just nice to go somewhere and hear other people and learn about what could be, instead of what people thought it should be," said group member, Kathy Marietti.

And the group stresses that they aren't a dating service; their only purpose is to help people start their lives over.

Their overall goal is to take away that feeling of hopelessness and make divorcees "separate, unique, and whole" again.

Those who are divorced or separated, man or woman, are invited to the group. They meet on Tuesdays at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marquette at 7 p.m. and on Thursdays at Good News Assembly of God in Ishpeming at 7 p.m.