The Longest Night

Tonight at 7 pm at St. Paul's Memorial Church in Charlottesville, we are holding a worship service in a way that we have not done before. We are calling it "The Liturgy of the Longest Night," mindful that today is the Winter Solstice, and mindful that this is a time of year that is difficult for many (including yours truly).

Not everyone finds the Christmas jollies so jolly.

But we are also mindful that the nights now turn shorter and the days turn longer. Some churches call this service "A Blue Christmas," but as we talked about it at St. Paul's, that just seemed, well, too blue. Tonight is still Advent, still the time of waiting before the dawn. The light comes even in the darkest night, and even a glimmer of hope can shine into our hearts.

For many, this is a hard season because of a loss of a loved one, or the loss of a job, or a health issue that is gnawing on body and mind. This is also a time of anxious waiting for many -- a son or daughter away  at school or in a job in a far off city, or in uniform on a battlefield, or aboard a ship-of-war at sea. Or maybe you are like me, living here in Charlottesville with family far away.

Santa down the chimney doesn't seem to ring quite right for some.

So whatever it is that you wait, come join us tonight. We will pray, listen, sit in silence, light candles, hear music, and provide healing prayers for those who seek them. Come join us at St. Paul's tonight, the longest night, but marking the night when the darkness begins to recede and the days begin to brighten.

Blue Christmas at Church of Our Saviour

Our friends at Church of Our Saviour (1165 Rio Road, Charlottesville) are offering this worship service Wednesday at 7 pm, and I thought you might like to know about it. The time conflicts with our Community Night, but maybe this is the place you need to be this week. Here is the information:

Blue Christmas

Is this Christmas season a difficult one for you? You are not alone – join us for a quiet, reflective service for solace and strength.

Christmas time can be a very lonely, depressing, "blue" time for those grieving the loss of loved ones, loss of a job, health or other losses. It may be “blue” for those who are all alone when others are partying and gathering with family members.

Many people feel out of step with what society demands at this time of year. Then there are those years in our lives when we hurt during the Christmas season and just can't get into the traditional festivities.

It is at such times that we need to make the space and take the time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. We need to know we are not alone.

If you or someone you know finds Christmas a difficult time, Church of Our Saviour invites you to attend a Blue Christmas service on Wednesday, December 15, at 7:00 pm in the main church.

Join together to listen to prayers and scripture that acknowledge God's presence, even in times of sadness and struggle. God's Word comes to shine light into our darkness regardless of where we are, and we can lay our burdens before our Savior and Mediator at the time of year we celebrate His birth. The service will include special music, including our own Canterbury Bells.

The service will be followed by light refreshments and fellowship. Please accept this invitation to be with us, to experience the hope that is Christmas. The doors will be open to all. Feel free to invite others to come with you as your support, or if you know that they, too, are hurting at Christmas. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Voldrich at the church (434-973-6512).

Directions:

From downtown Charlottesville and the Rt. 250 Bypass: Go west on Park Street, which becomes East Rio Rd., After passing a set of gas stations on the right, look for the stone chapel with the red tile roof on the right. Right past it, turn right onto Huntington Rd. and into the church parking lot.

From Route 29: Turn east onto Rio Rd., toward downtown Charlottesville. After approximately one mile, turn left onto Huntington Road and into the church parking lot.