{"id":108631,"date":"2025-12-30T15:55:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T20:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=108631"},"modified":"2025-12-31T18:22:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T23:22:45","slug":"blue-christmas-celebrated-with-service-on-winter-solstice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2025\/12\/30\/blue-christmas-celebrated-with-service-on-winter-solstice\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Christmas celebrated with service on winter solstice"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sebby S. Truesdail —<\/p>\n

Sunday, Dec. 21, was the first day of the winter solstice season. Over at the First Presbyterian Union Church, located at 90 North Ave. in Owego, Pastor Bruce Gillette, a parish associate, offered a Blue Christmas service. Afterwards, at 4 p.m., and over at St. Paul\u2019s Episcopal Church, located at 117 Main St. in Owego, Reverend Trula Hollywood, a mother pastor of an Episcopal Church, was also running the Blue Christmas service.<\/p>\n

\"Blue<\/a>

Pastor Bruce Gillette, a parish associate at the First Presbyterian Church of Owego lights a candle on Blue Christmas. (Photo by Sebby S. Truesdail)<\/p><\/div>\n

Gillette and Hollywood, both pastors running their own services, lit the candles.<\/p>\n

The first candle was to remember those persons who, through death, were absent from the circle.<\/p>\n

The second candle was to redeem the pain of loss: the pain we experience with the loss of loved ones, the loss of relationships, and the loss of time together.<\/p>\n

\"Blue<\/a>

All four candles, representing the absence of loved ones, the pain of loss, to remember and pray for ourselves, and to remember our faith and the gift of hope that the Christmas story offers, are lit at St. Paul\u2019s Episcopal Church in Owego. (Photo by Sebby S. Truesdail)<\/p><\/div>\n

The third candle is to remember and pray for ourselves this Christmas.<\/p>\n

The fourth candle was lit to remember our faith and the gift of hope that the Christmas story offers us.<\/p>\n

Gillette and Hollywood (both pastors) pray for everyone that they have a safe and happy holiday, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Sebby S. Truesdail — Sunday, Dec. 21, was the first day of the winter solstice season. 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