West Central Minnesota Chapter
NOVEMBER’S TREE DECORATING MEETING
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 (7:00 P.M.–10:00 P.M)
This meeting is held at the
WORLD WIDE CANDLE LIGHTING
Sunday, December 14, 2008
DECEMBER’S CANDLE LIGHTING SERVICE MEETING
Tuesday, December 16, 2008 (8:00 p.m.)
This is a special holiday memorial service. Bring a picture of your child/children and a candle to light. We encourage you to share a special memory of your child, a reading, or music. Following the service we share a light pot luck lunch.
UPCOMING MEETING DATES
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (8:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 (8:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 (8:00 p.m.)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 (8:00 p.m.)
ANGEL OF HOPE MEMORIAL
We were unable to fulfill our dream of completing our project this summer, but it appears that our dream should be realized next summer. The fund raising has been going well. We have received some generous contributions from our group members. We raised a considerable amount from the brat stand projects and matching contributions from Thrivent (we also had a lot of fun working the brat stands). We will continue our fund raising to ensure we have enough for this project. Phil Anderson (the Architect) has completed the plans for the addition and has found a contractor. We have purchased some of the materials for the project. If you would like to purchase a memorial brick for your child, call 320-366-3421 for the information. If you would like to donate to the project, you can send your donations to: Angel of Hope Memorial | WEBSITE & EMAIL NEWSLETTER INFORMATION Contact our webmaster at ddblackwell@hotmail.com if you have information you would like to see on the site or if you want to receive the newsletter via email. For more information about Compassionate Friends, visit TCF’s national site at www.compassionatefriends.org.
World Wide Candle Lighting Bob and Betty’s address is as follows: When you come into Litchfield on Hwy 12 from the west, turn east onto Hwy 24, which is across from the Dairy Queen. The farm is 8 miles on Hwy 24, on the left (or north) side of the road. Watch for the green “8 mile” marker.
Held annually the 2nd Sunday in December. This unites families and friends around the globe as they light candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age form any cause. As candles are lit at 7:00 p.m. local time, hundreds of thousands of people commemorate and honor children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries. This years date is December 14, 2008.
Believed to be the largest mass candle lightning on the globe, the Worldwide Candle Lighting creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who are no longer with them.
The Worldwide Candle Lighting started in the United States in 1997 as a small Internet observance but has since swelled in the numbers as word has spread throughout the world of the remembrance.
The Worldwide Candle Lighting gives bereaved families everywhere the opportunity to remember their child/children....that their light may always shine.
The Compassionate Friends Fall Picnic
We meet every fall for the fall picnic at the home of Bob and Betty Hermann. There is a Memorial Service with a Balloon Release and Cannon Salute at around 4:00 p.m. We have a Potluck Meal at 5:00 p.m. Beverages, bread, dishes and silverware will be provided. Bring a dish to share. Come and explore the
66608 Mn Hwy 24
Phone 320-693-6782
If you cannot attend and would like a balloon released in your child’s name during the balloon release, send a note/postcard with a message to your child on a 3 x 5 card with your child’s name to Bob and Betty Hermann at the address listed above. We will release a balloon with their name with the others. This is a beautiful and special experience. It is a nice way to remember our children.
