Community Grief Support Services starts fall program for spouses

As a volunteer for Community Grief Support Services, Sunny Gilliam, who lost her own husband about six years ago, said it’s rewarding to see people start to return to life after a loss. When coping with the death of a spouse, Gilliam said it can be easier with a group of people who have been through the same situation.

Community Grief Support will start a 10-week program for those who have lost a spouse, hosted at Asbury United Methodist Church on Alabama 119, from Sept. 9 to Nov. 11. The organization also offers programs dealing with the loss of siblings, parents, children or grandparents at other locations throughout Birmingham.

Rev. Larry Michael is the leader and facilitator of the grief program at Asbury. He has worked in various roles related to bereavement around the state, including authoring a book titled “A Necessary Grief” in 2015, as well as more than 30 years of pastoral experience.

Michael said the grief support group has included people who lost their spouse only a few months before or even multiple years before. The 10-week program gives participants tools and “touchstones” to navigate everyday life as they process loss.

“You’re in the wilderness with your grief,” Michael said.

Like Gilliam, Michael has seen “transformation” in the participants of the program. Some come in barely able to speak the first week, he said, but they can start to have a “new normal.” 

“It has really touched my heart to experience that,” Gilliam said. “They look different as the weeks go on.”

Michael and Gilliam said the support group may seem like it would make participants sadder, but working through grief with people who understand can be a quicker way to heal than trying to deal with it alone.

Michael said Community Grief Support is there to stand by people “on this journey no one wants.”

The fall session at Asbury United Methodist Church is held on Sunday nights from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Michael said participation is free and includes the support group, personal counseling and seminars about dealing with loss during holidays.

Call 870-8667 to register or for more information. Visit communitygriefsupport.org for more details on Community Grief Support programs.