Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 16, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba b8 Winnipeg free press sunday december 16, 2007 Faith Good grief its the holidays Blue Christmas celebrations aimed at those who Are suffering t he first Christmas after his father died Rick Sauer realized How strange it Felt to be Cele Brating the holidays and going to Church without his dad. Going into the Christmas eve ser vice and sitting in the usual place As it began i realized he was not there recalls Sauer 52, of that Christmas season nearly three decades ago. Now a Luther an pastor Sauer will preside Over a worship ser vice tonight meant for people who feel Down instead of upbeat Over the holi Days. Named Blue Christmas the service is meant for grieving families folks who have suffered a Job loss or health Challenge or people who Are far away from Home and loved ones Over the holidays. This is a Way to acknowledge that people Are struggling and struggle a great Deal and they re not forgotten he says of the first Ever Blue Christ Mas event at St. Marks lutheran Church in River Heights. The term Blue Christmas is Bor rowed from the Ballad penned by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson and popularized by Elvis Presley a 1957 recording. The song Speaks of longing and Sepa ration and feelings of sadness of being alone during the season. Despite popu Lar cultures portrayal of Happy family dinners and parties with friends Christmas can be especially depress ing for Many folks says Rev. Bob Osborne of St. Johns anglican Cathe dral which is holding a Blue Christmas service with eucharist tonight. Society goes on a trip of peace and Joy he says. In the midst of that peo ple who Are hurting Are often forgot ten. This is a Way of recognizing that pain and remembering pain and looking for Hope us is part of the Christmas Story explains Rev. Robert Campbell of Westminster United Church who is leading his 11th Blue Christmas ser vice this afternoon. The Bottom line of Christmas is incarnation god becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. That to us is a Promise that the future is in gods Corner of King Sway and Campbell 489-3390 4 30 . Nine lessons & carols followed by potluck supper Christmas eve 5 00 . Family service with children a pageant 8 00 . Holy communion contemporary 11 00 . Holy communion traditional Christmas Day 10 30 . 3830 Roblin blvd. Carols and lessons december 16th 10 00 . Family eucharist december 24th 4 30 . Holy eucharist december 24th 9 00 . Says Granke manager of spiritual care services at Victoria general Hospital. After a decade of leading these Blue Christmas events Campbell says he a learning More about How people Han dle grief. Some folks Only attend once others return year after year and their sense of loss does to seem to diminish. It has taught me to be Alert to peo Ples circumstances in Ordinary life. For most of us Healing and recovery comes slowly and takes time explains Campbell. Acknowledging those differences in ill have a Blue Christmas without you ill have a Blue Christmas without you ill be so Blue just thinking of you decorations on red on a Green Christmas tree wont be the same dear if you re not Here with me. ? from the song Blue Christmas by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson if you re facing the Holiday season without loved ones and can to Stom Ach the regular Christmas celebrations Here Are some alternatives. Three Blue Christmas services today sunday dec. 16 a non denominational memorial service 2 . At Neil Bardal inc., 984 Portage Avenue. 4 . At Westminster United Church Chapel 745 Westminster ave. And 7 . At St. Marks lutheran Church 600 Cambridge St. Longest night of the year service 6 30 ., Friday dec. 21, at Victoria general Hospital Chapel 2340 Pembina Hwy. . When Christmas hurts service 7 . Sunday dec. 23 at St. Johns anglican Cathedral 135 Anderson ave. Have your own Blue Christmas ser vice with a Liturgy for individuals from the anglican tradition found at grieving is important for those experiencing loss As Well As the entire congregation says Sauer who led Blue Christmas services when he was a Pas Tor in Thunder Bay. A number of people they just feel they need to get out and hear a word of Hope and a word of encouragement that their lives Are valuable and that Healing is possible.?. hands and All will be most of these seasonal commemorations of loss include prayers a Short meditation lighting of candles in Hon our of loved ones and the singing of Christmas carols like silent night. For Hospital chaplain Lynn Granke holding such a service marking the dark and lonely nights around Christ Mas offers health care staff and families of patients to acknowledge the Many emotions around the holidays. Its a place where there is some Joy and an awful lot of pain and suffering Volunteer vacations Are of warm weather climate for a vacation experience. The next Choice is about turning the decision for a Winter escape into a Volunteer vacation that also does some Good. The Choice is not Between stay ing Home and a Volunteer vacation the Choice is Between lolling on the Beach and drinking margaritas for seven Days or doing something to help fellow human beings. Joanne Thibault Winnipeg Faith letter re a better Way to help out the suf Fering nov. 25. There is an important Point to add to John Longhurst a commentary about Volunteer vacations to help people in other countries. The Ideal May be to Send All of the Money one would invest in a Volunteer vacation to those in need. However for Many the decision has already been made to travel to a ;