Written by Evie Anderson

My husband John and I were 50-year Hennepin members. In those 50 years, we learned from and were inspired by seven lead ministers (starting with Rev. Pennington) and experienced more activities and changes than you can imagine. 

When John died in July 2022, Pastor Judy Zabel put me in contact with the Downtown Minneapolis Coalition for Grief Support. I started attending about six months after his death and two years later I am still going to meetings and have a cadre of new friends of all ages. Grief groups are indeed “the club that nobody wants to join,” but we learn from each other, support each other, laugh and cry together, and understand each other in ways our other friends cannot.

If you or someone you know needs this kind of support, here are a few things to know about the Coalition:

• It meets every Saturday morning, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• You can come any time. No one takes attendance and registration is not required.
• Different churches take turns hosting. All are in the downtown or nearby areas and offer free parking. Currently and through April, the Basilica of St. Mary is the host. We will announce when it is Hennepin’s turn but don’t wait: it is interesting to visit different churches.
• Each meeting includes a 30-minute presentation by a speaker on grief and resiliency topics.
• Three subgroups meet each time, for people who have lost (1) spouses, (2) children or adult sons or daughters, or (3) other family members or friends. The facilitators are trained by the Coalition.
• There is a free lending library of books on grief-related topics.
• Meetings are free; members of the host church welcome visitors and provide refreshments.

It’s also important to know that our congregation at Hennepin has a Grief Support Group as well. It meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 4:00pm and you can attend either in person or via Zoom. Dennis Behl is the facilitator. 

Feel free to call or email me if you have questions or would like to attend either a Grief Coalition meeting or our church grief group. 

Evelyn Anderson, 612-275-2777, [email protected]