Grief Support Series Begins at La Canada Presbyterian Church

The unpredictable convergence of emotions after the death of a loved one will be addressed in a welcoming, comforting setting when the La Cañada Presbyterian Church convenes a six-week grief support series on Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m. in the church library.

Grief can have an astonishing shelf-life, according to the Rev. Dr. Peter Hintzoglou, a veteran counselor who will lead the series. “Even when we think that we’ve managed the emotions well, and we’re doing well, there are times in our life when unexpected triggers bring the grief back to us full-force,” he said. “Often we are taken by surprise. The journey of grief is very unpredictable.”

The series will be offered free of charge on consecutive Sundays through June 19, with each session lasting about an hour and 15 minutes. While it’s suggested that participants come for all six meetings, it is permissible to drop in for any of them.

Hintzoglou is the longtime bereavement coordinator at Heartland Hospice and has spent several years at LCPC counseling families in the end stages of life and the journey of grief.

“Grieving is not a weakness, for it is normal,” he said, “and there is no timing that one can set when grief may be over. Often, we don’t get over it; we learn to manage it. In these sessions, we’ll provide guidance for doing that.”

La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill Blvd. The library is just to the left of the Sanctuary entrance. For additional information, call the church office at (818) 790-6708.