North Shore-Boston Chapter

 

National TCF Website

 

         TCF Mission and Credo             

Principles of TCF

 

Chapter Locator

 
 

The Compassionate Friends
North Shore - Boston Chapter

Grief Support after the Death of a Child


This website is dedicated to the memory of all of our children.

 
 

Meetings and Events

 

Chapter meetings are held on the first Monday and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM at:

Aldersgate United Methodist Church
235 Park Street (Route 62)
North Reading, MA


*When the meeting date falls on a holiday, the meeting will be held on an alternate date. Please check the meeting schedule.

*In the event of inclement weather necessitating the closing of North Reading public schools, our chapter meeting will also be cancelled.

Our meetings are open to all bereaved parents whose children have died at any age from any cause. You are welcome to attend, no matter how much time has passed since your child has died. Siblings and grandparents are also welcome. If you are uncomfortable attending alone, feel free to bring a friend or relative to support you.

Our meetings usually consist of sharing sessions facilitated by bereaved parents who are further along on their grief journey. We sometimes select a specific topic to start off our group discussion, but our discussions are not limited to that particular topic. We try to meet the needs of everyone who attends the meetings. 

 

We usually begin each meeting by introducing ourselves and our children who have died. We try to give everyone an opportunity to share personal experiences and feelings related to the death of their child, but no one is required to speak. Sometimes it is helpful just to listen.

Our meetings offer a safe place for us to talk about our children and our feelings with others who truly understand. In order to ensure the comfort and trust of our members, we adhere to the following ground rules:

  • Please be respectful of the other members of the group.
  • Please refrain from judging or criticizing others.
  • Please avoid side conversations with others while a member is speaking.
  • Please turn off all cell phones during the meetings.
  • Please treat what is shared at the meetings as confidential.

Feel free to come a little early or to stay for a while after the sharing session to browse through our lending library. Refreshments and opportunities to converse with individual members are also available after the meetings. No two meetings are the same. It is best to try to attend a few meetings before deciding whether or not The Compassionate Friends will help.

For more information about TCF meetings from the TCF National Web Site please click here:
Frequently Asked Questions

 

 
 

2021 Meeting and Event Schedule

 

DATE

MEETINGS and EVENTS

Monday, 1/4/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 1/20/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Open Sharing Session

Wednesday, 1/27/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants)

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend

Topic:  Finding Hope After Loss                       

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

Monday, 2/1/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 2/17/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Where Are You Currently In Your Grief?

Wednesday, 2/24/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  How We Have Changed / How Our Relationships Have Changed                       

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

Monday, 3/1/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 3/17/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Dealing With Grief Triggers

Wednesday, 3/24/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  The New "Normal"                       

Facilitators:  Kelley & Dave

Monday, 4/5/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 4/21/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Secondary Losses

Wednesday, 4/28/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  Staying Connected To Our Children                       

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

Monday, 5/3/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 5/19/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  When People Ask, "How's Your Mother?"

Wednesday, 5/26/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  Facing Missed Milestones                      

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

TBD

SPRING EVENT

Monday, 6/7/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 6/16/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Dealing With the "What If's?"

Wednesday, 6/23/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  From Shock to Grief to Reinvestment in Life                      

Facilitators:  Kelley & Dave

Monday, 7/5/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 7/21/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Adjusting to the New Normal Without Your Sibling

Wednesday, 7/28/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  The Emotional Roller Coaster                      

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

Monday, 8/2/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 8/18/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Open Sharing Session

Wednesday, 8/25/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  Family Dynamics                     

Facilitators:  Dave & Tim 

Tuesday, 9/7/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 9/15/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Open Sharing Session

TBD

WALK TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, 9/22/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  How Will I Be Feeling in the Years to Come?                     

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

Monday, 10/4/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 10/20/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session                         

Facilitators:  TBD

-and-

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic:  Open Sharing Session

Wednesday, 10/27/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  Anger / Guilt / Regrets / Forgiveness                      

Facilitators:  Kelley & Carmen

Monday, 11/1/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Wednesday, 11/17/21

7:30 PM

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Remaking Holiday Traditions                         

Wednesday, 11/17/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  Facing Difficult Dates                      

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

Wednesday, 11/24/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session

Facilitators:  TBD                        

Monday, 12/6/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Open Sharing Session                        

Facilitators:  TBD

Sunday, 12/12/21

6:30 PM 

CANDLELIGHT REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

Wednesday, 12/15/21 

7:30 PM

Sibling Group Online Video Meeting - Please contact Aimeeb15@gmail.com if you would like to participate 

Topic:  Honoring Our Loved Ones Throughout the Holidays                        

Wednesday, 12/15/21

7:00 - 8:30 PM

In-Person Meeting  (meeting will be limited to 15 participants) 

Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to attend 

Topic:  Facing the New Year                     

Facilitators:  Tim & Dave

Wednesday, 12/22/21

7:30 PM

Online Video Meeting - Please contact tcfnoshoreconnect@gmail.com if you would like to participate

Topic: Open Sharing Session

Facilitators:  TBD