When we talk about Real Grace and Real Love in the midst of Real Life, we know that nothing is more real than when we go through difficult seasons. If this is a tough season for you, we want to walk alongside you with resources of care and support. Our prayer is that the resources listed on this page will help you on the road toward healing.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. – Romans 12:15

Grief Care

When we lose someone we love, we embark on a journey not of our choosing. And yet, it is a vital and sacred journey we must make. Grief Care groups serve as a means of self-care and shared community for those in grief. It is designed to be a series of six sessions – where you will listen, share, and gain important tools to use in navigating your unique grief experience.

We invite you to register for one of the upcoming sessions. For more information, please contact Rev. Sheryl Thornton at sheryl.thornton@canterburyumc.org or 205.874.1529.

  • Spring Session 2024 at Noon

    March 20 – April 24 12:00 PM | Room M200

    Led by Annie Skinner

    In this series of six sessions – you will listen, share, and gain important tools to use in navigating your unique grief experience.

    Register Here
  • Spring Session 2024 at 6 PM

    March 20 – April 24 6:00 PM | Room M200

    Led by Jennifer Kopf and Sheryl Thornton

    In this series of six sessions – you will listen, share, and gain important tools to use in navigating your unique grief experience.

    Register Here

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministers at Canterbury are congregation members trained by Stephen leaders to offer confidential high-quality, one-on-one Christian care to people going through a difficult season in their lives. A Stephen Minister provides care to one person at a time, meeting with that person once a week for about an hour.

Click to Hear from Canterbury Stephen Ministers

For more information or to get connected with a Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Sheryl Thornton at sheryl.thornton@canterburyumc.org or 205.874.1529.

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Group

Do you know or love someone who is caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or any form of dementia or cognitive impairment? If so, you are invited to join our support group for caregivers. This is a safe place to be with people who are going through the same thing you are. You will learn new skills on how better to communicate with your loved one and how to find the resources you need on this journey. Support Group is open to all of the Birmingham community.

Support Group meets at Canterbury every Wednesday and Thursday at 10 AM in Room 228.
For more information, please contact Valerie Boyd at valerie.boyd@canterburyumc.org or 205.874.1523.

Resources

  • Helpful Books

    Healing After Loss, by Martha W. Hickman

    Understanding Your Grief: Ten Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart, by Alan D Wolfelt

    The Wilderness of Suicide Grief: Finding Your Way, by Alan D Wolfelt

    A Friend in Grief: Simple Ways to Help, by Ginny Callaway

    Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved, by Kate Bowler

    Cancer: Now What? Taking Action, Finding Hope, and Navigating the Journey Ahead, by Kenneth C. Haugk

    Surviving the Waves of Alzheimer’s: Principles of Caregiving That Kept Me Upright, by Renée Brown Harmon MD

    Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy, by Sheryl Sandburg & Adam Grant

    No Cure for Being Human, by Kate Bowler

    Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawand

  • Resource Partners

    UNITED COUNSELING
    This ministry of the United Methodist Church provides private counseling services on Canterbury’s campus. They help persons with issues spanning from anxiety and grief to relationships, parenting, and adolescence. United Counseling also has a psychiatrist who sees adult clients. All ages and stages of life are served through individual, marriage, and family counseling. Visit: www.unitedcounseling.org

    THE AMELIA CENTER
    This organization, connected to Children’s of Alabama, provides counseling for children and teens grieving the death of a parent, sibling or close relative or friend. It’s a safe place where they can find hope and creatively express feelings through art and play. Visit: www.childrensal.org/services/amelia-center

    ONE PLACE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER
    This organization’s mission is to provide coordinated services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals working together under one roof. One Place seeks to remove barriers to reporting interpersonal violence. Visit: oneplacefjc.org

    YWCA CENTRAL AL
    YWCA Central Alabama is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We provide safe, affordable housing and work to keep homeless families together during their time of crisis. We help domestic violence victims escape abusive relationships and gain the strength to become survivors. Visit: www.ywcabham.org

    START YOUR RECOVERY
    StartYourRecovery.org provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too. Their goal is to offer people who are dealing with substance use issues a single source of reputable, objective information about signs, symptoms, conditions, treatment options, and resources — presented in a user-friendly format and in language that’s easy to understand. Visit: www.startyourrecovery.org

    BIRMINGHAM ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
    Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. If you have been struggling with drinking and want to quit, then AA can help. There are many meetings throughout the greater Birmingham area. Visit: www.birminghamaa.org/wp

    AL-ANON
    Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share experience, strength, and hope, in order to solve common problems. Al-Anon believes alcoholism is a family illness, and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Visit: www.bham-al-anon.com

    THE ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM AT UAB
    This program at UAB offers comprehensive assessments for drug or alcohol problems. Substance abuse reaches beyond the individual to impact family and friends. Call (205) 975-7350 today to get started on the road to recovery. Visit: www.uabmedicine.org/specialties/uab-medicine-addiction-recovery-services

    SEX ADDICTS ANONYMOUS
    Recovery from sex addiction is possible through working the Twelve Steps of SAA. Meetings welcome anyone who is a sex addict or who thinks he or she may be a sex addict. All regular meetings are closed to outside observers, spouses, significant others, or other interested parties. Visit: www.saa-bham.org/meetings

Happyish Holidays

A luncheon for all who find ourselves in a tougher season in life during the holidays. It just can’t be the most wonderful time of the year when we are also in a particular life struggle. Maybe grief, illness, divorce, or other challenges have us wondering how to approach the holidays this year. Rev. Malcolm Marler will talk with us about self care, grace for ourselves and each other, and how we can still engage hope and joy. Please click here to get more information.