Knox-St. Paul’s United Church, St. John’s Presbyterian Church and Trinity Anglican Church are coming together this Christmas to offer a service of loss, healing, and hope. This Ecumenical Quiet Christmas, often known as the Longest Night service or Blue Christmas, will be held on Sunday, December 11th at 3pm at Knox-St. Paul’s United Church at 800 Twelfth Street East. Everyone is welcome.
“Its one of those times that we recognize that Christmas isn’t always a happy time for everyone. It can be particularly tender if we’ve lost someone that we love, if were in an unhappy family situation or a complex family situation even,” explained Reverend Erin McIntyre of Knox-St. Paul’s United Church, “Folks especially this year may be facing financial difficulties. Sometimes you just need a place to go and to experience the hope and joy of Christmas but in a quiet way.”
The service will consist of a few spoken reflections, scripture readings, music sung by the choir, and some familiar carols (but people don’t have to sing if they don’t want to). Refreshments will be available after the service.
Other clergy members involved in the organization of this event include Archdeacon Peter Crosby from Trinity Anglican Church and Reverend Robert Adams from St. John’s Presbyterian Church. Their hope is that by working together they can reach more people who need this type of service.
“We’re working ecumenically to do this which I think is lovely because we had so much that kept us apart for so long. It’s nice that we can come together with our similarities. We’re trying to get the choirs together so they can sing together too,” added Rev. McIntyre, “It’s a time to sit in God’s presence and to acknowledge the losses that were feeling, the grief that we’re feeling, and to find hopefully some consolation and some hope.”
