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Winter solstice services focuses on ‘Calling Back the Light’
Service focuses on ‘Calling back the Light’
By LINDA M. LINONIS
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.”
The service will include various readings including the poem “To Know the Dark” by Wendell Berry, an American novelist, poet, environmental activist and farmer, on dark and light. Also will be mention of stories from the Bible that take place at night, including the parting of the Red Sea. Mr. Alspaugh said hymns will include “Chant for the Seasons,” which is seasonally appropriate and “Dark of Winter.” The pastor said there also will be Christmas selections.
Mr. Alspaugh said the poetry, songs and Scriptures are meant to move participants from the darkness to a place of hope and light. A drum circle will be led by Dan Susany of Austintown. “Drumming is energetic,” the pastor said, adding “drumming taps into the rhythm of the Earth and nature’s sensibility.”
Highlighting the service will be a child-dedication ceremony. “It’s part of the Unitarian tradition,” Mr. Alspaugh said, adding the ceremonies take place at “pivotal” times of the year. Five families with babies and younger children will participate.
The dedication service includes the use of water symbolizing clarity of spirit; a candle to represent illumination of the mind; earth, which stands for grounding, balance and commitment to the natural world; and feather for air.
Burning Sage will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday with doors opening at 5 at the church, 1105 Elm St. The all-female rock band is based in Cleveland and blends classic rock influences with modern flair. There is a $20 fee for the solstice concert that includes a pasta dinner. It is sponsored by Dr. Ron Graham and No Such Thing as a Bully.