When Hope Blume realized how many women in St. Matthias, Clermont, had spouses suffering from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, she saw a need for a support group.

“As the parish administrator and a member of the Care Ministry and Stephen Ministry teams, I am privy to some of the heartache and challenges our parishioners at St. Matthias are dealing with,” Blume said.

She shared the need with Care Ministry team members Jessie Gustafson and Pat Meeker. “Together, we decided it would be very beneficial for these women and any future women and men to have a safe place to meet and share their feelings, challenges and experiences,” she explained.

The Rev. Jim Dorn, rector, and the Care Ministry Team were soon in complete agreement with Blume. “Father Jim is always supportive of new groups and ministries and tells everyone, ‘If you see a need, come up with an idea or plan, present it and when approved, follow through with it,'” Blume said.

The group’s first meeting was an intimate private luncheon on Jan. 26, 2021. “It was a very emotional meeting, where much was shared, and we were very grateful to be able to provide a safe environment for these beautiful women to share their stories,” Blume said. “From the very beginning, you could feel the instant connection, love and support these women had for each other.”

While the Care Ministry team can support those going through difficult times, Blume felt it would be even more beneficial for those going through a common struggle to share and support each other. “No one can fully understand someone’s journey until they have walked it themselves,” she explained. “We felt it would be best if they were a self-sustaining ministry and able to create the format and space they needed, instead of us telling them what we thought they needed. We’re in constant contact with them, and we’ll offer any support they need.”

Blume asked for volunteers to lead the group. Two parishioners who attended the luncheon, Claudia Seitz-Ricklick and Terri Kunze, agreed to oversee it. “I jumped at the chance to work on this ministry,” Seitz-Ricklick said. “I am a member of another support group, and I have received so much serenity from them.”

She had previously attended the Savvy Caregiver workshop offered by Elder Options and contacted them about forming a support group at the church. “I received support, supplies and ideas from Elder Options,” Seitz-Ricklick said. “We have become a part of Elder Options Community Outreach, and I report to them monthly and let them know how we are doing and if we need anything.”

On March 29, REFRESH Support began meeting every other Monday at noon in the parish library. “Our first meeting was an organizational meeting. We agreed we wanted to be faith-based and respect each other’s anonymity,” Seitz-Ricklick said. “We all especially liked Matthew 11:28, ‘Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.’ Jesus didn’t say he would remove our burdens, only that he would refresh us along our way. From that, we took the name REFRESH Support.”

The 90-minute meetings are open to all parishioners, and currently, five caregivers attend. “We start with Matthew 11:28 and the Serenity Prayer,” Seitz-Ricklick said. “We catch up with each other and share our trials and triumphs over brown-bag lunches.”

“I know the five of us are all incredibly grateful for this group,” she added. “We receive a calm from being in a safe place to share.”

For more information about REFRESH Support, please check out this announcement in the St. Matthias bulletin (scroll down to page two).