Christmastime is here. Christmas Day is only a few sleeps away. We all feel, without exception, that this is an unusual Christmastime, one that we would very gladly never repeat. At the best of times, this season can be very hard on the hearts of many who are lonely; who have experienced loss and who are living with a sense of vulnerability and fragility. And, this year those feelings may have intensified for some.
Bowen Island United Church, Cates Hill Chapel and St. Gerard’s Catholic Church invite you to a shared Blue Christmas service on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
This service will also include our annual Remembering Tree observance where we tie blue ribbons in memory of those we have lost. We will gather in our “new normal” fashion and share quiet music, reflection, prayer, scripture, candle-lighting and tying blue ribbons for our Remembering Tree. You are invited to join us in your own homes with a candle. During the service, you will be invited to speak the names of those you are missing. For each of these spoken names, Lorraine Ashdown (stationed at Bowen Island United Church) and Phil Adkins (stationed at Cates Hill Chapel) will light a candle and tie a blue ribbon on our Remembering Tree.
There is much hurt and sadness for many in our community and beyond as we move through this season. This service is designed to give space to some of that pain and to honour it as it lives within us. And the service is also meant to offer comfort to all who are weary and who are carrying a heavy burden.
Please join us if you feel called to do so. As we say every week at Bowen Island United Church, “No matter who you are; no matter who you love; no matter the colour of your skin; no matter where you are on your faith journey; you are welcome here.”
You can find us using this Zoom link: us02web.zoom.us/j/82655166680?pwd=Rk1rOEM2dWk3OE1RM0lCT3NkdStvQT09
Blessings of hope, peace, joy and love to you all.
