Rev. MiYeon Kim lit four candles during the Liturgy of Remembrance during the Christmas Remembrance Service at Christ Church Anglican.
The bells tolled Wednesday night at Christ Church Anglican, ringing one time for every person who died in the past year in Fort Macleod and district.
Gone — but certainly not forgotten.
“When someone we love dies it is important to acknowledge that the moment of death does not erase their life,” Rev. MiYeon Kim of Trinity United Church said. “We believe that their touch on our life continues, that their spirit continues to be in our life and that their story needs to be told again and again.”
Christ Church Anglican and Trinity United Church combined forces to stage this year’s non-denominational Christmas Remembrance Service.
Worship leader Dr. Sebastian David reflected on how the death of a friend or loved one affects people.
“We know that each person grieves differently, but there is a general path — the stages of grief that we so often hear about,” Dr. David said. “Within that path we find one very common feature. Birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas can be particularly difficult times.”
“We hope this service will be a comfort.”
Rev. Kim gave the opening prayer, which was followed by the singing of It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.
During the Liturgy of Remembrance, Rev. Kim lit four candles.
Dr. David explained the first candle is lit in remembrance of those who we have loved and lost.
“We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices,” Dr. David said.
The second candle was lit to redeem the pain of loss.
“We pause to gather up the pain of the past and offer it to God,” Dr. David explained. “Passing it to God’s hands, we receive the gift of peace.”
The third candle is lit so people can remember themselves this Christmas.
“We pause and remember these past weeks and months, the disbelief, the anger, the down times, the joy and sorrow of memories, the hugs and handshakes of family and friends who care for us,” Dr. David said. “We give thanks for all the support that we have known.”
The fourth candle is lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope that the Christmas story offers. God promises a time of no more pain and suffering.
Rev. Kim said we are affected in amazing and mysterious ways as we move through life without loved ones who have died.
“Their memories are close at hand,” Rev. Kim said. “We still cry at certain moments. We still remember what they would say or do. And in some cases we still expect them to come through the door as if their death had never happened.”
These feelings are intensified at certain times, such as the first anniversary of a death or at Christmas.
“We will know in our hearts that our loved ones are not gone and forgotten,” Rev. Kim said. “We acknowledge that the death of our loved one does not erase their life.”
Dr. David and Brad Sawka of Eden’s Funeral Homes took turns reading the long list of names of people from Fort Macleod who were being remembered.
Allisa Ross rang the church’s bell one time for each name that was read.
The service also featured scripture readings and the chance for people to light a candle of remembrance.
Music was provided by Carole Cressman and Marj Hart and Rev. Kim sang a solo.
The service closed with a blessing by Rev. Kim and singing of Silent Night.
Rev. MiYeon Kim lit four candles during the Liturgy of Remembrance during the Christmas Remembrance Service at Christ Church Anglican.
Allisa Ross rang the Christ Church Anglican bell once for each deceased loved one whose was read.
Dr. Sebastian David was worship leader at the Christmas Remembrance Service at Christ Church Anglican.
