Community
20 December, 2024
A time to reflect
RESIDENTS took the opportunity to pause and reflect on their pain and grief at a Blue Christmas service recently, remembering those lost as the festive season looms.
The service included a number of songs and hymns played to give time to pause, reflect, and write about pain and loss in a letter format.
Attendees also lit candles to symbolise the grief and pain they held and as a tribute to those absent.
This included those who have died during the year, those who are suffering illness or hardship, and animals who have died.
Reverend Suzie Castle said this year’s theme for the service reflected how people come together to help those who are dealing with grief and pain in their lives.
“Those emotions that impact us in our lives, like frustration, anger and any of those things, no-one enjoys them - no one enjoys staying in that, either,” she said.
“Sometimes, you meet people who have been in that for years and there’s no way out for them.
“To offer something like that, it lets them reflect on how they want to live their life.”
Attendee Rita Bowden said the service reminded her the hard feelings associated with grief and pain were not “the end”.
“It doesn’t fix anything – I think it’s more of an acknowledgement,” she said.
“To me, grief isn’t just about the loss of someone – it’s about broken relationships and all sorts of things.
“Whatever mood I’m in, God’s in it with me anyway, and I don’t have to explain anything to him – he knows exactly where I’m at and that to me is a comfort too.”
Following the service, attendees joined Reverend Castle for a cup of coffee at the Camperdown BP and a conversation.
Reverend Castle said the Blue Christmas service reminded attendees “everyone is carrying something,” and to reach out to those who may be struggling with any form of pain.
“As important as this service is, what’s equally important is us coming together around the table and having a cuppa and having a chat and being involved in each other’s lives,” she said.
“That is what community is all about.
“There’s this thing in community that crosses over from caring about each other to being compassion for each other.
“To have compassion for what someone else is going through – it changes us.”
Read More: Camperdown