Service of Lights to return
- Details
- Published on Sunday, November 22, 2015
By Esther Krahn
Rivers and Area Palliative Care volunteers are hosting a Service of Lights on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at Rivers United Church.
The Christmas season, with its emphasis on celebrations, family time, gift giving and happy, fun times can be a very difficult season for people who have experienced the death of a family member or friend. Feelings of sadness, grief and memories of former happy times can be very overwhelming when it seems no one else is remembering the person who has died. These conflicting feelings and thoughts can create very lonely and dreary days, especially prior to Christmas. It can also feel like talking about the deceased person in this season of celebration might make other people feel uncomfortable. For many people, Christmas is not a happy time.
Palliative volunteers are inviting anyone who has experienced the death of someone dear to them in this past year or two to come, remember and reflect in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere at a Service of Lights, sometimes referred to as a “blue Christmas” service. Rev. Glenna Beauchamp will be leading the service, with other participants from all local churches. A time of remembering, with a listing of names of people who have passed away, lighting of candles and distribution of roses, will allow guests to quietly reflect on the memories of their loved ones.
If you have experienced the death of a family member or friend in the past year or so, (the last service, co-ordinated then by Rivers Ministerial Association, was in 2012) and would like a time to remember, please consider this your invitation to attend. Please feel free to bring other friends and extended family members. Local families who have experienced a death in 2015 will be contacted by a volunteer, but if you have additional names of persons you would like to have honoured in this way, please call Joan Thomson at 204-328-7411.
Refreshments will be served after the service. If you have any other questions about the service, please call Esther Krahn at 204-328-7189.
