TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Blue Christmas Consoles Grieving

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: December 10, 2008

For people who have lost a loved one, or just need a booster shot of holiday spirit, several churches and groups in Sun City Center will host Blue Christmas programs.

Jean Rideout, a member of the publicity committee at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, said the church, 1239 Del Webb Boulevard West, will host a Blue Christmas Service Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary.

"We are a mature community and sometimes we have members who have lost their spouses," Rideout said. "We have people who are separated from family. Their family may be up north. It can be a lonesome time if family does not come down."

Rideout said the program will include seasonal music to lift the spirits as well as prayer and musical meditation.

"Those individuals who are hurting need something special. This service gives them an opportunity to bond," she said, adding they will light candles during the service.

Other highlights for the holiday season at St. Andrew include a Christmas dinner Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. dinner followed by "The Christmas Story" at 6 p.m. The annual Christmas play will be performed by Peggy Anderson and Bob Mills with Robert Winflow as the organist.

"We have a fantastic organist," Rideout said. "The people sometimes after service will play and listen to him."
Sun City Center supporters of the Compassionate Friends Worldwide will host a Candle Lighting Memorial Service Dec. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Sandpiper Room of the Sun City Center's Atrium Building, 924 North Course Lane.

The service is for bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings of children who died at any age from any cause no matter how long ago. Participants are asked to bring a photo or memento for the memory table.

Cora Ruff of Sun City Center said this is the third year she has helped to organize the candle-lighting event. Ruff has been a part-time resident of SCC for five years.

She is a former member of the board of directors for Compassionate Friends.

"It's associated with the holidays because we don't have our children with us but we still remember them," Ruff said. "It's a way to bring them into the holiday with us even though they are not here with us physically."

She said the event is always the second Sunday in December. Last year about a dozen people participated.

"I thought well, we don't have a chapter that meets monthly but at least we could be a part of the greater organization and do the candle-lighting memorial," said Ruff, who first became involved with the group living in northern Virginia.

For people who need ongoing support, the United Community Church, 1501 La Jolla Avenue, Sun City Center, offers a support group that meets every Tuesday afternoon from 2 to 3 p.m. at the church.

The group is facilitated by Lou Leone, associate pastor and pastoral counselor at United Community Church.

For more information, call Leone at (813) 634-8306. For information on the candle- lighting service, call Cora at (813) 634-1654 or Julia at (813) 634-4980.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT