UCCC Longest Night Service Serves Those Having a Tough Time During the Holidays
By United Church of Christ Congretional
Standing with those for whom the Christmas season can be a difficult time, The Dalles United Church of Christ Congregational (UCCC) will offer its annual Longest Night Service on Tuesday, December 21, the Winter Solstice, at 6:00 PM. All are welcome.
“Maybe you have lost a loved one this year and dread Christmas without them, or maybe you live with the pain of a longer absence,” explains The Reverend Lea Mathieu, the church’s minister. “Or maybe you’re isolated at a time when our culture stresses being with family and friends. Or maybe you’re broke and resent the relentless ads for gifts. Whatever the reason, know you are not alone.”
Mathieu also stresses that sitting with the darkness is a good practice for everyone, even those who revel in Christmas joy. “Our culture pretends we’re supposed to be light and happy all the time, but that often means life on the surface. Instead of ignoring or burying our pain, we need to see it and learn from it. Grief often doesn’t end, for example, but it can be integrated into a life of wholeness and compassion.”
The 45-minute service includes choral and congregational singing, meditative silence, prayer, and a reflection by Mathieu on John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.”
This service is the last in a mid-week Advent series shared by the UCCC and Zion Lutheran and St. Paul’s Episcopal churches. The UCCC is located at 111 East 5th Street, with the sanctuary entrance on Court. Please contact Mathieu at revleamathieu@gmail.com with questions.
A Mental Health Note from Pastor Tyler Beane Kelly at Zion Lutheran Church
It's OK if you're not doing OK right now. While we sing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year," (and I love that song), many of us experience December as the most ANXIOUS time of the year. I know I do. Add on top of that the pandemic. Add on top of that the divisions we are experiencing in our country and in our families. Add on top of that less sunlight, less hours in the day, less motivation to exercise as the weather turns colder.
Again, it's OK if you're not doing OK right now.
If you ARE doing OK or are even thriving, GREAT. We need you to lead the way now more than ever.
And I also wanted to share a recent quote with you from enneagram teacher Suzanne Stabile: "A lot of people right now are trying to fake from the best part of themselves that they're doing better than they are or it's all OK or we're good or we've got this. But that's all running out now. We are tired. And you have permission to feel what you feel."
So my friends: grace. For whatever you're feeling. Grace.
- Pastor Tyler Beane Kelly
