By: Ryan Duey
The Clay Center United Methodist Church (UMC) will hold its annual Blue Christmas service on Thursday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary.
Blue Christmas is an evening for those who may be having a difficult time during this holiday season. The United Methodist Church has been holding this service for nearly 20 years. Marabeth Conner with Clay Center UMC detailed the meaning of Blue Christmas.
“The Blue Christmas Service is for people who find the holidays maybe not so joyful for whatever reason. Sometimes it can be the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, the loss of a job, or just sadness for whatever reason.”
“This service is offered to bring hope, maybe a time of remembrance, and we really encourage people to just stay as long as they need to.”
The service is open to anyone in the community. Conner said sometimes it’s hard to be Holly and Jolly during this time, and this service helps to reflect and offer hope.
“It’s a service of quiet prayer and reading, quiet music, time to have at the altar, light a candle, it’s quiet and dark. It’s a time for people to just be and not have to participate in any way that they don’t want to. If you’re going through something personal it’s really just a time to let that go, if only for a short time.”
This come-and-go service lasts around 30 minutes. Refreshments will be offered afterward in the Parlor for those who wish to stay and communicate with others, offering fellowship after the service.
