The Longest Night

The Christmas Season, with all of the lights, incessant holiday music, and family gatherings, is not a universal time of joy.

Modern life can be isolating, keeping us apart from our families, neighbors, loved ones, and the larger society. It can hamper our sense of belonging.

On December 21^st the First Congregational Church of Terre Haute (That’s French for, “We are a small church, but a large Family.”) will join with churches around the country to conduct a special service for those of us who are feeling isolated and grieving the loss of what once was.

The Longest Night service is there to remind us that, no matter what our personal circumstances, we are never truly alone. There is a loving God present and with us wherever we may be, holding us in an embrace, comforting and caring. Our feelings are real. The Longest Night service is there to help each of us share and understand what we feel.

From the Bulletin of First Church about The Longest Night:

 “For many, Christmas is a bittersweet time of year. It is a time for remembering people and events that are no longer part of our lives. The celebrations around us often remind us of what we’ve lost. The anguish of broken relationships, insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health and isolation of grief make us feel very alone. We need to acknowledge our sadness and concern. We need to know we are not alone. We need to feel God’s presence during this season.”

The Longest Night Service will be at 6 PM on December 21, 2015 at The First Congregational Church at 630 Ohio Street in Terre Haute.

There is a place here for you.