Grief Support Group

Churches in the Bloomington-Richfield area are working together to provide free support and education for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. You can start any series at any time. There is no commitment on attendance and no cost. You may also only attend the speaker portion of the session, or stay for support group. Group meetings are held on Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 PM.  Each session includes:

Education presentation 4:30-5:00 PM: Understanding the grief process and the many emotions involved in working through one's grief makes the journey less frightening. Guest speakers share their own experiences and professional knowledge on grief and loss.

Support 5:00-6:00 PM: Small groups will be formed where the participants will have the opportunity to share their feelings and concerns with others who are also working through the grief process.

See brgriefcoalition.com for additional information. 

The Summer 2025 Series

will take place from July 3 through August 21, 2025, and will be held at:

Transfiguration Lutheran Church
11000 France Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55431
Church contact: pastorpaul@tlcmn.com

Topics and speakers are: 

July 3: "What Do I Do Now?" by Nancy Jo Sullivan

Nancy is a writer and speaker, who shares wisdom earned in living through the death of her daughter.

July 10: “There's More to You Than Grief" by Brittany Squillace

Brittany is a licensed marriage and family therapist and grief counselor from Prior Lake, Minnesota.

July 17: "Missing Our Son" by Chris & Bob Lewis

Chris & Bob lost their son in a car accident in 1989. Chris is a grief therapist.

July 24: "Body, Mind, Spirit Connection" by Lorry Lundborg

Lorry experienced the death of her husband and will talk about her unique way of remembering him.

July 31: "Taking Control of Your Finances" Part 1 by Grant Meyer

Grant works in the area of finance for “Wings for Widows”.

August 7: " Taking Control of Your Finances" Part 2 by Grant Meyer

Grant works in the area of finance for “Wings for Widows”.

August 14: "Surviving the First Year" by Nancy Jo Sullivan

Nancy is a writer and speaker, who shares wisdom earned in living through the death of her daughter.

August 21: "From Surviving to Living" by Melissa Melnick Gonzalez

Melissa is a pastor of outreach ministry with Oak Grove Lutheran Church in Richfield and talks about the death of her son, Chris, who drowned in the Mississippi River in 2017.

The Fall 2025 Series

will take place from September 18 through November 6, 2025, and will be held at:

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in the Gathering Space
9900 Lyndale Avenue South, South Entrance off of Lyndale Avenue, Door #9, Bloomington, MN 55431
Church contact: bgaetz@nativitybloomington.org

Our Fall topics and speakers are: 

September 18: "Staying in Your Story?" by Annie Lumbar Bendson

Annie has experienced child loss, parent loss, and spouse loss.

September 25: “Families, Grief and Loss and Self-Care" by Michaela Janssen

Michaela works for a center for grief and loss called “Family Means”.

October 2: "Grief - What Helps/What Hurts" by Mia Ohlhauser

Mia has a long history of working in Pastoral Care in parishes and is a former Chaplain for the City of Bloomington Police Department.

October 9: “Mind, Body, Spirit Connection” by Lorry Lundborg.

Lorry experienced the death of her husband and will talk about her unique way of remembering him.

October 16: "Myths of Grief" by Brenda DeMotte

Brenda has been a grief therapist in private practice for over 35 years, preceded by a career in funeral service. She the founder and former director of Professional Counseling and Grief Services and recently published her book entitled, “Grief Demystified”.

October 23: "How Grief Changes with Time - Remembering with Love” by Lizz LeVang, PhD

Dr. Liz Le Vang is a speaker and grief therapist who works with families and individuals who experience the death of a loved one.

October 30: "Hope and Resilience” by Brenda DeMotte

Brenda has been a grief therapist in private practice for over 35 years, preceded by a career in funeral service. She the founder and former director of Professional Counseling and Grief Services and recently published her book entitled, “Grief Demystified”.

November 6: “Navigating Through the Holidays” by Erin Hente

Erin worked in financial services, lost her husband, Andy, has three children, and is a life coach.

2026 Schedule

Winter 2026: January 8 - February 26 at St. Richard Catholic Church, Richfield

Spring 2026: April 9 - May 28 at Peace Lutheran Church, Bloomington

Summer 2026: July 9 - August 27 at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Blooomington

Fall 2026: September 24 - November 12 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Bloomington

Questions? Contact Beth Gaetz at (952) 881-8671 extension 8070 or Pastor Otis Borup, Vice President of BRGSC at (612) 735-2839 or otis.borup@nhumc.net