For the past three years, on the third Friday of every month, a group of women has gathered in the Church Lounge at noon. They call themselves Kindred Spirits. What connects them is the shared experience of losing a spouse, but what keeps them together is fellowship and friendship.

Rita Bienkowski, a member of the group, said the women feel a strong connection “because we all come from the same herd.” However, they don’t dwell on the fact that they are, individually, a party of one. Instead, they find ways to spend time together—doing things that are more enjoyable as a pair, trio, or group.

“When you find yourself alone and you want to go out and do something, you can just grab a buddy from this group,” said Cathy Holley.

The group has attended events together, including a musical at The Boardwalk Theatre in St. Clair, and has gathered in one another’s homes.

Some members belong to Trinity, while others found their way to the group through GriefShare, a grief support program led by Director of Human Care Lisa Riviera several times each year.

Jackie McGhee began attending GriefShare and formed a friendship with Ella Sasek, who is also part of Kindred Spirits.

“There is just so much kindness, support, and graciousness from the members of this group and from this church,” said McGhee. In addition to finding a community of women to spend time with, she has also found a church home and plans to officially join Trinity.

Within the group, members maintain a prayer list, adopted a family for Christmas last year, and have taken up collections to support Trinity members in need.

“This is a way of keeping busy. It gives us somebody to talk to when we are out to dinner,” said Holley.

Those interested in Kindred Spirits do not have to be members of the church, but Holley noted that participants should share Christian values.

The group meets on the third Friday of each month at noon in the Church Lounge. Following the meeting, they go out to lunch together at a local restaurant.

“There is a common bond between us, and we all feel it. This group is an amazing support system, and we’ve really found friends here,” said Denise Przybylski.