Joan Back sent ECI this news:
CELEBRATING “SOLAS”
The Winter Solstice, an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year a few days before Christmas Day seemed to us of the steering committee of the “Walk of Light”, an occasion to celebrate Christ the light of the world.
The event, “Solas” – light, came out of a brainstorming on how to bring ahead the “Walk of Light”. A Walk, which has seen over the last 19 years, involving Christians of different Churches giving a witness walking around the area of their Churches – Ranelagh, Rathmines, Adelaide Road, St Stephen’s Green, Dawson Street, Grafton Street – with candles symbolizing the coming of Christ, light of the world.
A LIGHT IN A TIME OF DARKNESS
Normally held pre Advent, on the last Sunday of November, now transformed into the “ecumenical celebration of light in a time of darkness”. So very apt in these times when wars are overshadowing the lives of many peoples and darkening many countries to remind us that the only true light can come from Christ!
In full Advent on Thursday 21st December, Wesley House, Centenary Methodist Church, Leeson Park in Dublin city, saw about 80 people participating in this “happening”.
AN EXPERIENCE WITH THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IN OUR MIDST
It began with the lighting of the Eco-Congregation Ireland Climate Justice Candle by Maureen Rowan Harvey, Eco-Congregation Ireland’s Methodist representative. The backdrop was the light entering New Grange symbolizing Christ’s light entering into the world and into our lives.
The programme divided into four parts exploring the Advent themes of Peace, Love, Joy and Hope through music and song, poetry and meditation on Scripture. It was interspersed by the symbolic lighting of three of the four candles positioned around the Eco-Congregation Ireland Climate Justice Candle, from which we lit our individual candles; with the unlit 4th candle we ended on a tone of hopeful expectation.
“BRING US LIGHT, TURN OUR NIGHT INTO DAY”
The whole event was accompanied by a wonderful choir, Newman Vocare Ensemble of the Newman Centre in St Stephen’s Green, who sang among other hymns a powerful “Bring us hope” by Ruth Elaine Schram which synthetized the entire event “Bring us light, take our darkness away. Bring us light, turn our night into day”.
The evening was “lit up” afterwards with soup, rolls and minced pies. As someone remarked “It certainly brought light to our hearts and, indeed, solace, if I read the room properly, to very many who were present”.
FROM “SOLAS” TO “SOLACE”.
Thinking of the needy a collection was taken for “The Light House” a charity run by Dublin Christian Mission located on Pearse Street, Dublin for those in need which includes a homeless outreach centre.
Lesley Rankin, Pastor Martin Sauter, Fr Gary Chamberland, Dominique Cunningham, Katherine Dunne and the team of volunteers from the House of St. Brigid at Newman Church, Josephine Bennett, Pastor Andrew Kingston, Fr Fachtna McCarthy, Joan Patricia Back.
