A Community Memorial Celebration Service
Sunday, November 14 • 3 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
870 West College Ave. • Jacksonville
For all those who have died in 2020-2021
during a time when the inability to gather together may have prevented us
from sharing in the celebration of their lives and legacies
By Nancy Bork
The last couple of years have challenged all of us in every aspect of what seemed liked normal everyday living. From a pause in gathering in casual ways to deliberate changes in how we’ve been able to share in our usual ways of honoring and memorializing the lives of friends and loved ones who have died during the pandemic, traditions have changed.
Our church family, just like others, is painfully aware that an important part of the grieving process is to celebrate those lives. However, due to contact limitations and health concerns, those traditional services and events have been limited or eliminated totally. Friends and families have not always been able to share in these important moments.
As we look forward to the upcoming holidays, we can’t help but think of all the families who have had to say goodbye to a loved one, maybe through a glass window or on a telephone screen. We are hosting a service as a time of remembering and celebrating for all who wish to share in a community of collected grief with faith and hope. It doesn’t matter what your faith affiliation is or isn’t, we invite you to this service of reflections, music and hope. There will be a reading of names and a candle lighting. Call the First Presbyterian office at 217-245-4189 with questions.
