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Community Corner

Churches Say Amen to the Season with Celebratory and Reflective Events

There's something for all—even those with the blues.

All the emotions of Christmas—from joy and happiness, to sadness and senitmentality—are celebrated and honored in area churches. Concerts, plays, dinners, train exhibits, guest speakers, and charitable gift shops literally pour  from the heavens as Dec. 25 draws closer

There are opportunities to both rejoice in glad tidings and reflect on the year's heartbreaking times and losses, reveal area clergy.

The Rev. John Harnish of the , believes there's much to be hopeful about the upcoming winter solstice, which occurs Dec. 21.

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On that night, he and his clergy will host the church's annual .

Scientifically speaking, Dec. 21 is the longest night of the year. The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. With all that darkness, though, comes new light. Consider that the winter solstice also brings with it a gradual lengthening of daylight and shortening of darkness, Harnish said.

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"Light means hope," Harnish said. And that's the message he and others will convey at the 7 p.m. Longest Night gathering.

The event, open to the public, is designed for people who have experienced loss during the past year.

"But not just through death," Harnish said. "People have lost jobs, health, marriage."

Organized by Rev. Monica William, the evening features special speakers (Harnish refers to them as "witnesses"), who have experienced loss—Diane Peck, whose father died; Mike Harris, whose teenage daughter suffered from a serious health condition; and Marina Glagolev, who will share insights on job loss and career changes.

 "The service is designed to acknowledge loss and claim hope," Harnish said. "Some people call Dec. 21  'Blue Christmas,' but that's too Elvis for me," added Harnish, with a laugh. He has been senior pastor at the church for the past five years.

Besides the speakers, attendees can take time to reflect, light a candle for their thoughts and feelings, sing Christmas carols, visit prayer stations and chat with any of the church's five clergy. 

"The 'Longest Night' is a meaningful part of the Advent season," said Harnish, who expects a couple hundred attendees. "It's always moving," he added, "and it acknowledges that not every person's Christmas is merry and bright. It also welcomes those who are alone on Christmas."

Another holiday-time program at the church involves a women's book group that is preparing 150 gift stockings for the homeless residents of Cass Community Services in Detroit.

"We are stuffing the stockings with underwear, playing cards, toiletries, socks, you name it," Harnish said.  

A global alternative to holiday shopping

Across town at the , volunteers are busy manning the church's annual . Located in the building's basement (acccessed through a side door), this delightful shop, now in its 16th year, could be the town's best-kept secret for holiday shopping.

Everything from organic coffee, chocolate bars and nativities, to Christmas ornaments, paper sculpture  and jewelry fills the shelves. Each item has an intriguing story behind it, as people all over the world make the merchandise.

"The shop is a ministry of social justice and economic redistribution with other countries," said Leslie Jaquez, a program organizer.  "It helps lift women and children out of poverty by providing a place to sell quality food and products."   

The shop also focuses on Haitian crafts this year so that, "we can keep getting funds to Haiti due to the hardships with the earthquake," Jaquez said.

She is hoping for shop sales to increase, as thus far, the turnout hasn't been record-breaking. "Sales have not been good this year," said Jaquez, who grew up in Birmingham. Her favorite items? Probably the coffee and chocolate bars. "Those items will be great for my stepdaughter back at college."    

More details and programs

Global Gifts Shop, , through Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed.-Sat., (248) 644-0550.

Christmas Cantata, , 6 p.m., Dec. 19, (248) 646-2000.

Christmas Hymn Sing, , Church Auditorium, 191 N. Chester St., 11:30 a.m., Dec. 19, (248) 644-1020.

Children's Play  and Christmas Mass, , 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., Dec. 24, (248) 646-2244.

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