Staff photo by Fritz Busch Jean Bening of Arlington, left, lights candles as Bernadette Schendel of North Mankato reads at the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony at Redeemer Lutheran Church Sunday. The candle lighting is in memory of children who have died and for bereaved parents, grandparents, siblings, relatives and friends.

NEW ULM — Several dozen people took part in a candle lighting ceremony in memory of children who have died and for bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives and friends at Redeemer Lutheran Church Sunday.

Bernadette Schendel of North Mankato said she wasn’t sure if she wanted to live after her daughter Ashley died of a Tylenol overdose at age 19 in 2009.

That was until she found The Compassionate Friends South Central Minnesota Chapter of New Ulm, a self help, non-profit organization for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents that offers group support, friendship, and understanding.

The group that meets monthly, promotes and aids families in the positive resolution of their grief experienced with the death of a child and to foster the physical and emotional health of those bereaved families.

“The group was a lifeline. When you go through grief. You’re just lost. It’s so helpful to have someone walk that journey with you,” said Schendel.

“People we went to church with in North Mankato brought us here. We met Compassionate Friends Co-Leader Judy Kastman and Darlene Nelson, both of New Ulm, who led and created the local Compassionate Friends chapter,” said Bernadette Schendel’s husband Robin.

The Schendels now lead the local Compassionate Friends chapter that includes several dozen South Central Minnesota residents.

“Over time, for the group to keep going, we felt the need to step up and take over some of the leadership roles,” Bernadette said.

After a potluck dinner Sunday, events included readings, slide and video shows and live music by Martin Luther College students Elizabeth Kanzenbach playing piano and Carissa Avery on the violin.

Buttons with photos and memorial ornaments were made. Attendees were in person and online.

Compassionate Friends goals are to offer support and understanding to any sorrowing parent/sibling/grandparent; to listen with understanding to provide a caring and sharing group; give cognitive information on the grieving process with meetings, library resources and newsletters; to provide acquaintance to other bereaved families whose sorrow has softened and to provide hope and strength for living after the loss of a child.

New Ulm Chapter in-person and virtual meetings are the last Monday of each month at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 700 S. Broadway, New Ulm.

For more information, visit www.compassionatefriends.org. Call 877-969-0010. Email tcfsouthcentralmn@gmail.com.