Oak Lawn United Methodist Church launches Living with Loss: Queer & Beloved on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. The grief support group will meet on the second and fourth Mondays each month at the church on the corner of Oak Lawn Avenue and Cedar Springs Road.
In a press release, the church said the group will provide “a compassionate space where grief is not something to be ‘fixed,’ but something to be honored and carried in community. Each gathering will include ritual, story-sharing, reflection and blessing — integrating scripture, poetry, and contemplative spiritual practices.”
The group will be led by Rev. Ryan Wager, Rev. Isabel Márquez and Rev. Rachel Griffin-Allison and the series will also feature guest professionals who offer insight into grief work, trauma, and spiritual resilience.
Topics covered will include:
- The death of loved ones, including partners and spouses
- Family estrangement and rejection
- Loss of safety or belonging due to discrimination
- Collective grief over violence and injustice toward LGBTQ+ communities
- Ongoing grief related to chronic illness, HIV/AIDS, and trauma
“In this space, no grief is too small or too complicated to be named,” Wager said. “We believe healing begins when we hold one another’s stories with love and without judgment.”
In-person participation is encouraged, with Zoom access available for those unable to attend onsite. ASL interpretation and Spanish translation are available in person with advance request.
For more information, contact ryan@olumc.org or call 214-271-5298.
— David Taffet