Grieving in Community
An interfaith support group for the spectrum of loss
Who We Are
Grieving in Community (GIC) aims to bring people together through conversations and rituals related to the very unique, and very universal, experience of loss. Whether you are grieving the loss of a loved one, a change to your health, a transition in a relationship or your job, or anything else that engenders grief in you, you are welcome here. As an interfaith support group, know that we welcome folks of diverse religious, faith, spiritual backgrounds (and the potential lack thereof).
Who Leads GIC
Associate Pastor Rev. Maeve Hammond leads GIC. Maeve has training in chaplaincy, grief counseling, and spiritual, emotional, and religious care. Maeve created GIC at First Congregational Church in Winchester in 2022.
When We Meet
We typically meet every other Sunday after hospitality hour (11:30 AM/11:40 AM) in the Palmer Room at First Congregational Church in Winchester. Our dates for Fall 2025 are below:
September 14 | 11:30 AM | Palmer
September 28 | 11:30 AM | Palmer
October 12 | 11:30 AM | Palmer
October 29 | Death Café | 6 PM | Tucker
October 29 | Taizé | 7:30 PM | Ripley
November 9 | 11:30 AM | Palmer
November 23 | 11:30 AM | Palmer
December 7 | 11:30 AM | Palmer
December 18 | Service of Light | 7 PM | Ripley
What to Expect
During group time, we introduce ourselves, read from a covenant statement (list of community norms and agreements), engage in silent meditation (contemplative prayer), update each other on our grief journey, discuss our emotional state using a visual check-in guide called a BlobTree, and end our session with a reading from Martha W. Hickman’s Healing After Loss and another moment of silent meditation (contemplative prayer).
Our Values
We uphold the following values of compassion and openness during our group time. We do not compare our grief to the grief of others, nor do we judge ourselves or others. We allow everyone a chance to speak. However, should a participant choose not to speak or not speak much, we respect their wishes and do not “cold call” them.
Health & Safety Statement
For your safety and the safety of others, please read this section as you consider joining Grieving in Community. We, as a community, acknowledge that this group provides spiritual and emotional support and should supplement–not replace–professional mental health care. We recognize that what is said in this circle remains in this circle, except in the case that a member states or indicates a plan to hurt themselves or someone else. We understand that potentially triggering topics related to grief (i.e., death, estrangement, trauma) may surface.
How to Get Involved
If you would like to attend Grieving in Community, please come to one of our open Sunday sessions. If you have questions about the group, please email Rev. Maeve Hammond, Associate Pastor, at maeve@fcc-winchester.org.
