Surviving a major loss: First United Methodist Church to offer Grief Support Groups in 2025
Catherine Sanders, a psychologist who lost her 17-year-old son in an accident, writes in her book, “Surviving Grief … And Learning to Live Again”: “Grief is a strange paradox. We are forced to let go of beloved persons at exactly the time our souls are screaming to have them back.” Yet, she adds, “If we have the courage to allow ourselves to go into our grief and feel its positive and negative effects, we can shorten the time it takes to survive a major loss.”
First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge (FUMC) will offer three identical seven-week grief support groups in 2025. Anyone grieving the death of loved ones or suffering from other losses is welcome to attend.
The first seven-week group will meet on Thursdays, Jan. 23-March 6, from 4:30-6 p.m. in Room 203 at the church. Two other seven-week groups will be offered later in the year.
This group provides a safe, confidential setting where participants can better understand and express their grief, according to a church news release. Brief reading assignments will guide group discussion. Co-facilitators are Gielda Reese, a retired school teacher who lost her 14-year-old daughter to cancer, and retired pastor Bob Cantrell.