Mutual Help Grief Support Group
As the name implies, this is an ongoing, welcoming group that provides support for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, no matter what stage of the journey. Some of the group have been members for a number of years and some have recently experienced their loss. The meetings are facilitated by Rev. Caren Loper, Pastoral Care Associate.
Meetings are held at Grace United Methodist Church in the Glass Classroom (2nd floor), 2nd & 4th Tuesdays each month, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
The group meets for lunch at a variety of local restaurants on the 3rd Tuesday -11:30 a.m.
For information please contact Pastor Caren Loper, or 913-859-0111.
Current Book Study
You’re Not Crazy-You’re Grieving
6 Steps for Surviving Loss
Alan D. Wolfelt, PH. D.
Books $16.00
New Study Begins February 11, 2025
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Glass Classroom
Grace United Methodist Church
Rev. Caren Loper
Additional Resources
Suggested Reading for your Grief Journey
Good Grief, by Granger E. Westberg – This is a long time classic and basic read on grief.
A Decembered Grief, Living with Loss While Others are Celebrating, by Harold Ivan Smith
Healing A Spouse’s Grieving Heart, 100 Practical Ideas After Your Husband or Wife Dies, by Alan Wolfelt
You’re not crazy -You’re grieving: 6 steps for Surviving Loss, by Alan D. Wolfelt. PH.D. (Present Study in Grief Group)
Quotes on Grief
“Grief, after the initial shock of loss, comes on in waves……
When you’re driving alone in your car, while you’re doing
the dishes, while you’re getting ready for work….and all of
a sudden it hits you – how so very MUCH you miss someone,
and your breath catches, and your tears flow, and the sadness
is so great that it’s physically painful!”
— Nicole Gabnert
“Let the reality of your loss sink in, as painful as that reality may be.
You can only heal what you feel. Experiencing the feelings your loss has stirred
Up is one step toward healing”.
— Kenneth Haugk
“Grief is like an earthquake. The first one hits you, and the world falls apart.
Even after you put the world together again, there are aftershocks, and you
Never really know when those will come.”
— Unknown
“Grief never ends….but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to
Stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith…It is the price of love.”
— Unknown
“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears.
I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wasters away because
Of grief, it grows weak because of all my foes.”
— Psalm 6:6-7 ESV
“Grief never ends…. but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay.
Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith…
It is the price of love.”
— Unknown
“Prayer is sitting in the silence until it silences us,
choosing gratitude until we are grateful,
and praising God until we ourselves are an act of praise.”
— Richard Rohr
“When we lose someone, we love,
We must learn not to live without them,
But to live with the Love They left behind.”
— Unknown
“Life brings tears, smile, and memories.
The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the
Memories last forever.”
— Malik Fatisal
You may also be interested in the Pastoral Care page.