Council meeting, banquet at UCC

MEXICO — Members of the Mexico Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, will have a Council meeting on Sunday, Dec. 9, following the morning worship service and a potluck lunch. Officers and committees of the church will offer reports to bring everyone up to date. All are welcome to attend the lunch and meeting and are asked to bring a dish to share, if possible.

On Tuesday, Dec. 11, the Women’s Fellowship of the “Green Church” will have its annual Christmas banquet. The meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a social time. All women of the church are invited to attend. Isabel Duguay is collecting a donation of $5 from each person to cover the cost of the meal. The group chose that this year’s “white envelope” gifts will be donated to the furnace fund, which is nearly complete.

Grief support group to start

RUMFORD — Swift River Family Medicine will offer a grief support group for adults 18 and older who are suffering from the loss of a family member, friend or relative. The group will meet in the lobby of Swift River, at 430 Franklin St., from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday nights, starting Dec. 12. If schools have been closed due to poor weather, the group will not meet.

The support group will be facilitated by Velma Evans, licensed clinical social worker, an employee of Tri County Mental Health who is contracted by Swift River. The group will be composed of people with one thing in common: loss. It will address the painful, often disorienting aftermath of the death of a loved one. These weekly sessions will be an opportunity to learn valuable lessons about death and mourning that impact everyone. The group will also discuss the different stages of grief and the emotions that can surface during this difficult time.

The group will be free of charge and coffee and tea will be provided.