Southwest Grief Coalition
Southwest Grief Coalition
SW Grief_Vert.png

A coalition of churches providing faith based grief support in the southwest suburbs of the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

Spring 2025 Session

The Spring 2025 session will be hosted at Pax Christi Catholic Church located at 12100 Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie beginning Monday, March 3 through April 7 at 6 PM. Use the north/lower-level parking lot, behind the church, which is accessed by Homeward Hills Road. Enter door 6 (or door 5 if you need elevator assistance).

To register, click the link below. Call Kerry Cronkhite with questions at 952-405-7207. Please register by February 28 if possible, however, registrations are accepted up until the start of the session and walk-ins are welcome. 

Living and Growing Through Loss

Losing someone we love is one of life’s most challenging passages. Learning about this process of grief, along with sharing our experience in a caring, supportive, and confidential setting, helps us to cope and leads to personal growth and healing.

The churches of the Southwest Grief Coalition are working together to provide faithful support, community, and educa­tion for those who are grieving.

Our Purpose

To provide an opportunity for individuals to obtain information, support, and a welcoming community for grief issues following the loss of a loved one.

Sessions are designed for ongoing participation from the beginning to the end. If you are interested in joining in the middle of the session, please contact the host church.

Session Overview

The Southwest Grief Coalition creates a welcoming space for people to receive faithful care and support while grieving the loss of loved ones. This includes casual connecting time with appetizers or light fare. This is followed by a 30-minute presentation by a grief counselor or person with experience in grief support who provides practical assistance to the participants. The presenter also stimulates conversation in small groups that follow the presentation.

There is no cost to participate. Church affiliation is not required.

Session Schedule

The typical session of the SW Grief Coalition follows this pattern:

6:00-6:30 PM—Light appetizers/snacks
6:30-7:00—Presentation
7:00-8:00—Small groups

A meal will be served at our final session together on April 7 at 6:00 PM.

Small Groups with Similar Loss

In addition to a large group presentation each evening, a small group facilitator will lead participants through a friendly and supportive discussion of the topic.

To better facilitate helpful discussion, participants will be grouped with people who have experienced similar losses, if possible. These groups include: loss of a spouse/partner, loss of a parent, loss of a child, loss of family member/friend, and suicide bereavement.

*Small groups are facilitated by those who are trained in the grief process and group dynamics. Many have experienced the death of a loved one.

Winter Cancellation Policy

Should the school district of the host congregation cancel school activities due to extreme weather on the evening of a SW Grief Coalition session, our session will also be cancelled.

Dates

Spring 2025: The six sessions at Pax Christi Catholic Community will invite you to honor and understand the grief process, learn from others, and help you share your experiences in a faith based, caring, supportive and confidential setting. All are welcome regardless of religious affiliation or no particular affiliation.

Session 1 - March 3: Understanding the Reality of Loss: From Head to Heart to Healing ·         Kiersti Phenow, Grief Support Facilitator, Former Chaplain, School Social Worker

Session 2 - March 10: Remembering and Growing in Gratitude for the Person who Died ·         Linda Cherek, Loyola Spirituality Center Spiritual Director, with a special interest in loss and trauma after unexpected death of a loved one

Session 3 - March 17: Asking for Help, Seeking Community and Resources ·          Jill Swenson, Allina Hospice Grief Counselor

Session 4 - March 24: Renewing your Purpose and Sense of Identity ·         Norm Cox, Pax Christi parishioner, lost his spouse of 39 years, Janice

Session 5 - March 31: Spiritual Care and Self Care ·         Pastor Paula Devos, Chaplain, Flagstone Senior Living, Eden Prairie

Session 6 - April 7: Hope: What are the Anchors in Your Life? ·         Panel of Grief Support Facilitators. Closing dinner.

What is most meaningful about the SW Grief Coalition?

Here is what former SW Grief Coalition participants have to say about what was most meaningful for them during their session:

  • “Knowing I am not alone.”

  • “Getting to know others who had experienced a similar loss and sharing thought and feelings.”

  • “Several suggestions to help cope and work through grief to practice every day.”

  • “It helped me to be able to talk to others. Prior to this class I did not like to talk to anyone about it.”

  • “I couldn't really find a support group that was going to work for me in my home area (southern MN). I googled grief support groups and found you and am SO glad I did! Thank you for what you do to help others during our time of grief.”

Partner Congregations

Eden Prairie United Methodist Church
15050 Scenic Heights Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Pastor Mary Jo Messenbrink
952-937-8781

Family of Christ Lutheran Church
2020 Coulter Boulevard
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Teri Burns
952-934-5659

Immanuel Lutheran Church
16515 Luther Way
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
MaryKay Copp, Immanuel staff
marykay@immanuel.us
952-937-8123

Pax Christi Catholic Community
12100 Pioneer Trail
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Kerry Cronkhite, Care and Support Coord.
kcronkhite@paxchristi.com
952-405-7207

Prairie Lutheran Church
11000 Blossom Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Pastor Ashley Updegraff
pastorashley@plcchurch.org
952-829-0525

St. Andrew Lutheran Church
13600 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Cheryl Harjes
tcharjes@comcast.net
612-209-1488   

St. Hubert Catholic Community
8201 Main Street
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Denise Kozojed, Pastoral Care Minister
denise.kozojed@sthubert.org
952-374-5049

 

Resources

For more information on grief

Allina Health Grief Resources (comprehensive online grief support including crisis hotlines, support groups, excellent recommended reading lists for all ages)

 
 

Southwest
Grief Coalition Sponsors

An interdenominational association of local churches working together to offer grief support to our community.