Trinity Episcopal Church in Redlands, Calif., offers a service of comfort for those suffering loss

Trinity Episcopal Church will hold its annual Blue Christmas service Sunday at 4 p.m. This is an observance that serves as a shelter and safe refuge for those in the community who are suffering from loss. Trinity’s gift of reflection provides an hour to recognize the holy season of Christmas in a sacred space created especially for those people living through dark times.

The Blue Christmas service, held close to Dec. 21 – the longest night of the year – gives to those who are weighed down by these feelings an opportunity to offer up their pain, loneliness, and sad and dark memories as authentic rather than feeling the need to suppress them. At the same time the quiet hour allows for those suffering to renew their spirits with hope and peace. According to Father Michael Fincher, Associate Rector, “The service is designed to be non-denominational so as to be of comfort and meaning to anyone, regardless of church affiliation. We offer this service as a gift to the community, to those truly in need of the hope and promise that this season is meant to provide.”

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Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, Advent, Christmas, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Episcopal Church (TEC), Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Care, Pastoral Theology, Theology