Blue Christmas Service
For some people, Christmas is not a time of cheer. For those that have lost someone close, Christmas can be a painful reminder that the person is gone. This is why area churches, along with Chandlers’ Funeral Home, have come together to organize “Blue Christmas.â€
 “It’s meant for people for whom Christmas is a blue time emotionally. The people who attend are those that lost someone in the last year or maybe those that have lost someone around Christmas,†says Father Brian Murphy of St. Gregory’s Roman Catholic Church.
The service is ecumenical, meaning you don’t have to be affiliated with any church to attend.
The original idea, says Kevin Samuels, came from the late Peter Chandler of Chandlers’ Funeral Home. Kevin says Peter was a very community minded person, and wanted to help those who found Christmas difficult. Chandler got the churches involved, and it has continued every year since.
“It’s a service for everybody. It doesn’t matter which church you go to or what your loss is,†says Kevin. “Those that attend come away feeling relieved, that it’s not just them. It gives them the opportunity to express that Christmas is not always a happy time. We tend to get wrapped up in family and people coming home. But some people aren’t doing so well at Christmas.â€
Each year, between 20 and 30 people come to the service, some of them regularly.
“People may think ‘Well, its only 20 people,’ but for those 20 people it means something. People that have had a loss feel this is something they need,†says Kevin.
The service will be held this year in Chandlers’ Funeral Home on December 14th at 7 p.m. to take advantage of the new renovations, including a reception area.
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I have lost several relatives at this time of year,two in the last year and a dear friend just yesterday. I do not enjoy this time of year at all and wish I was there to take part in your service.
Enjoy the service. I’m sure you’ll come away feeling better.
Three of us attended the service as we all have lost loved ones recently. This was an important time to share with others our thoughts and feelings. Thank you for giving us a great group of leaders with their readings etc., and for a lovely space to mingle with those who are grieving as well. So glad I went.