Grief Resources
You may face insurmountable challenges, but you don’t have to walk through them alone. St. Andrew’s Pastoral Care ministry exists to reach out to members, friends and families of the church and community to share Christ’s healing love with all people.
Our care team consists of Pastoral Staff, a spiritual advisor, a parish nurse, a resource counselor and a variety of caring individuals experienced in walking with people through the storms of life, bringing the presence of Christ and promise of God to others.
SUPPORT GROUP: TOGETHER IN GRIEF
Together in Grief – IN-PERSON – Thursday afternoons 4:30 – 6 pm
Winter/Spring 2023 session, starting Thurs., January 26, 2023
Great Hall Building – Dot Room
JOIN ANYTIME
St. Andrew’s offers an in-person, facilitated support group for those who are experiencing the loss of loved ones. This will be an open support group – primarily focused on what members bring to share about how they are and where they are in their experiences. The group will be lightly structured with an opening, closing and a suggested topic for discussion. The hope for the group is that members will have an opportunity to share, listen, and support each other toward healing. Or, put another way, “To learn how to live,” as a member of a grief group once said.
Meetings will be held in the St. Andrew’s Great Hall building, Dot Room, from 4:30 – 6 pm. Meeting dates for the winter/spring 2023 session are: January 26; February 2, 9, 16 and 23; March 2, 9 and 16, 2023.
Cost for the entire session is $20. Scholarships are available; please contact Lisa Grundtner, lgrundtner@
REGISTER HERE.
Group Facilitator is Pat Pardun, St. Andrew’s Resource Counselor, who has facilitated grief support groups in her church for the last few years. Pat is licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor. To learn more about the group please contact: Pat Pardun at ppardun@saintandrews.org, 651.762.9155.
Grief and Loss
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Family Means Center for Grief and Loss – Grief education and helpful articles addressing grief.
Resources by Author David Kessler, grief expert
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Finding Meaning: The 6th Stage of Grief https://grief.com/sixth-stage-of-grief/.
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Podcast with Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/david-kessler-and-brene-on-grief-and-finding-meaning/
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Harvard Business Review Interview: https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief
Funerals
Contact: Lisa Grundtner, Director of Funeral Ministry, 651.762.9117, or by using our Contact Us form.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26
Funerals and memorial services have a long history in our Christian culture. People gather together after the death of a loved one for at least three reasons.
- First, they come to remember and celebrate the person’s life. Every human being leaves some kind of legacy and it is highly appropriate for family and friends to remember the unique life and stories of the deceased.
- Second, people gather to say goodbye. This is often painful, but the public expression of sorrow often helps family and friends bring closure to the person remembered. The funeral or memorial service is one of the first steps in the healing process called grief.
- Third, people gather to renew and strengthen their faith in God’s love expressed to us in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians we know that the grave is not the final word. Jesus and his promise of the resurrection give us the hope that someday all God’s children will be united around God’s heavenly throne.
We welcome any family that is seeking a Christian service for their loved one. Membership at St. Andrew’s is not required. Our staff is experienced and compassionate and can guide you through the basics of planning a service.
The St. Andrew’s Columbarium and Memorial Garden is located immediately north of the Sanctuary on our campus, and is another option for families to place cremated remains of their loved one.
