Winter Solstice service will focus on overcoming spiritual darkness

YOUNGSTOWN

“Calling Back the Light,” a winter solstice service planned at First Unitarian Universalist Church, rejoices in the “light and hope.”

The Rev. Matt Alspaugh, pastor, said the church has conducted such services from time to time. Some were lay-led and others by the minister, as the 11 a.m. service Sunday will be. The actual winter solstice takes place at 4:48 p.m. UCT (Universal Time Coordinated) Tuesday.

The Rev. Mr. Alspaugh said the day might be thought of as “the darkest night of the soul.” In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the shortest day of the year with the longest night of darkness and marks the first day of winter.

“What we try to emphasize on the spiritual side is to engage and think about the dark times we experience,” the pastor said. “How we deal with it – how we come out on the other side – is what counts. We want to override the darkness and doubt.”

From the day of the solstice, the time of daylight begins to increase. “Light and hope bring us back to life,” Mr. Alspaugh said. “We develop expectations of lighter ... better times ahead.”

Read more about the service in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.