If you are experiencing deep sadness over the death of a loved one, you are welcome to join the Grief Support Group at the Unitarian Church in Westport, CT. There you will find a safe space to share your loss, receive support and to support others in their grief. All are welcome, including people from the wider community.
Over the years we have offered this program, and our friends have found it profoundly helpful. As some have shared with us:
“There is nothing better to help deal with your grief then to open up to others who are also grieving. The grief group provided both resources to find my path to managing my grief and a welcoming and comfortable setting where we were able to share and move forward. Everyone grieves in their own way, but there is no reason to grieve alone.”
“When my husband died I was terrified and in agony. I didn’t want to die but I didn’t want to live. The pain was unbearable. It was through the Grief Group that I found solace, understanding, compassion and love. I would not have survived without the support the group provided.”
“Thanks to Pat and Chuck, I learned tools to help me cope with my mother’s passing in the most welcoming environment. I am forever grateful for their support.”
The next Grief Support Group will start on Monday, April 6 and will meet for six consecutive Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the Unitarian Church, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport. Two facilitators, Pat Francek, MSW, and Chuck Harrington, PhD, will offer their expertise in guiding participants along and through the painful journey of loss. Each session includes time for sharing and support from the group.
Themes include: Sharing Your Story, Reactions to Grief, Myths, Coping Strategies, Memorializing your Loved One (through stories, photos and objects), Honoring their Legacy, and Self-Care to include seeking social support and finding new meaning in your own life.
Please register in advance. The group is small and will hold up to 10 participants. Please contact either Pat Francek or Chuck Harrington.