Several churches on the North Olympic Peninsula will offer services geared toward those who don’t find the holiday season a time of joy.
Holidays can be a difficult time for those who are grieving, desolate, frightened or lonely; the winter darkness of our region can often make those feelings worse.
While Christmas is a happy time for many to celebrate family, community and close relationships, it can also make the pain of those who have suffered loss more pronounced.
These services recognize the holidays are not a season of joy for everyone.
• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will conduct a Blue Christmas service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in its Parish Hall, 1020 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
The free, non-denominational healing service is on the day before the longest night of the year.
Attendees can offer up the pain, loneliness, fears or sorrow that they carry.
For more information, call 360-385-0770.
• The Rev. Laura Murray will lead “A Longest Night Service” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles.
The Christ-centered service of prayer, music and poetry is open to people of all faiths, or of none at all.
For more information, call 360-457-4862 or visit www.standrewpa.org.
• The Rev. Olaf Baumann will share stories during a Blue Christmas service at 7 p.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E. Lopez Ave., Port Angeles.
Local musicians Pete Harris, drums; Hannah Hockett, vocals; Jesse Ahmann, cello; and Noah Smith, keyboards, will perform special music interwoven with Baumann’s storytelling.
For more information, visit www.go2trinity.org.
