NEWS RELEASE
NEWMARKET CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
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A longtime tradition will continue in Newmarket this weekend, when the 22nd annual Community Christmas Candlelight Memorial Service takes place Sunday evening.
“Christmas can be an extremely difficult time of year for those who mourn,” says Dr. Keith Taylor, a grief counsellor and educator who lectures at Tyndale University College and has written a book on the subject.
“In fact, this time of year can seem unbearable. Mourners don’t feel like keeping up old family traditions. And it’s difficult to manage the pain when everyone else is in a festive mood.
“How do you face this supposedly merry time of year in the absence of your loved one?”
The message of the service is “you are not alone,” says Taylor, who is also the pastor at the Newmarket Church of the Nazarene, which throws its doors open to the community every December to host the event.
“Holiday grief is very real, but it’s not a life sentence,” adds Taylor. “People need to be able to share their grief, but also to know that they will not always feel this way.”
The Dec. 9 service will start at 7 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, which is at 79 Main St. S. (at the corner of Queen Street). Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
On-site parking is limited, however, additional parking will be available nearby in the north parking lot of St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church at 432 Ontario St.
People who would like to have the name(s) of their loved one(s) read out during the service should call 905-895-3162.
The service is open to the entire community and there is no admission charge.
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