Canfield church helps bring holiday cheer

Canfield United Methodist Church hosted a Blue Christmas Service Dec. 16, led by Pastor Susan Brown and her husband Pastor Jerry Krueger from Trinity United Methodist Church in Youngstown.

The focus of the service was on the difficult times people experience during the holidays. For some, Christmas is not as joyous as for others. This service was to help people dealing with grief, depression and illness during this season.

The service offered an opportunity to come forward for anointing, healing and prayer. As participants came forward, the pastors took the opportunity to talk with and comfort them.

A connection card was given to each participant as they entered the service and during the service Pastor Brown announced that on the back of the card was a place for the people to check if they were interested in a Grief Recovery Group, Divorce Care Group, Addiction Recovery Group, Caregiver Support Group or an illness support group at the church.

Boardman’s Ed DeRose attended the service after losing his wife on Dec. 1. This will be his first Christmas without her. During the reception, he bonded with church members Donna Brucoli and Lynne Bellish, both of Canfield, who lost their husband and father (B. Patrick Brucoli), in February.

Sharing a common bond, these two families spent some time together after the service reminiscing about their loved ones.

For more information on the church’s support groups, call 330-533-9801.