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Date: 11/9/2022
LONGMEADOW – St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is hosting its monthly Celtic Candlelight and Communion worship on the second Saturday of every month beginning Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.
The Celtic Candlelight and Communion Service incorporates ages-old Celtic traditions, music, candlelight, and readings related to themes with roots in the natural world. Rather than a sermon, the services focus on reflection, meditation, and spiritual healing. Guests are invited to experience the present moment in an atmosphere of tranquility and inspiration provided by the combination of Celtic music and surroundings that bring nature into the sanctuary.
“We invite people who come from all backgrounds,” said Rev. Charlotte LaForest, the rector of St. Andrew’s. “Even if they’ve never attended any other kind of worship service, but they feel that connection to the themes or feel the presence of God in the world around them. Those who are unsure and searching for a source of peace and belonging are welcomed at this service.”
She continued, “We put a lot of work into rethinking what was behind these services. The different kinds of worship experience we’re hoping for people to have are the integration of stillness and candlelight, the contrast of light and dark, music and prayers. We reformatted and reworked those elements of the services to relaunch them for this year.”
LaForest told Reminder Publishing the word Celtic refers to the history and traditions of the British Isles. Early in the history of the church some of the earliest missionaries brought the Gospel to the British Isles as it made its way up into the various parts of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England. It’s fused with some of the local traditions to create a unique approach to Christianity. Celtic Christianity is very connected with the rhythms of the seasons and the natural world. In years past before the coronavirus pandemic, LaForest said there were a lot of people – whether they went to other faith communities or didn’t connect with a faith community at all – who came to their Celtic service because it spoke to something different from their other worship experiences at the church. Residents have a place where they’re reminded how deeply loved they are and that there is grace, appreciation, and acceptance.
“The question before us is how people are seeking to find the presence of God in their lives as they are right now. What are the words of hope that people need to hear now,” LaForest said. “Those are always the questions that are guiding us. Even when we know we haven’t always gotten things right all the time, all of us can come together as imperfect people and offer grace to one another and seek God’s grace here at the church.”
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is located on 335 Longmeadow St. For more information, contact St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 567-5901 or visit www.st-andrews-longmeadow.org.
Celtic Candlelight and Communion dates and themes: