Saint Peter's Episcopal Church

The longest night

December 21, 2022 at 7pm

Each year, around about December 21st, the Earth’s northern pole reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun, creating the shortest day and longest night. At the same time, many folks who are going through trying times of loss and grief often feel disconnected from the spirit of the holidays of this season. Feeling out of synch with the seasonal holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s, compounds feelings of isolation and sadness. Perhaps it is the first Christmas since the loss of a loved one or the anniversary of their passing. Maybe a long-term relationship has failed or a job has been lost. In the midst of all the holiday frenzy, some feel left out as they endure the long night for their soul.
This year, Saint Peter’s Church in Lewes is offering a virtual space to join together
with others in similar situations in prayer and contemplation. Our Longest Night service will be held online on Wednesday, December 21st at 7pm on Facebook, YouTube and in-person. In this service, we will be given a chance to lay our burdens before God as we gather together to pray. We will recall the loving kindness of a God who never gives up on us as we offer up our pain, sadness and loneliness and seek consolation and comfort. We pray and hope that all who participate will find peace and consolation in knowing they are not alone and that they are beloved by God.

Longest Night

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lewes invites everyone to its Longest Night service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22.

Each year around Dec. 21, the Earth’s northern pole reaches its maximum tilt away from the sun, creating the shortest day and longest night for those in the northern hemisphere. At the same time, many folks who are going through trying times of loss and grief may feel disconnected from the joyful spirit of the season. Feeling out of sync with holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s compounds feelings of isolation and sadness. Perhaps it is the first Christmas since the loss of a loved one or the anniversary of their passing. Maybe a long-term relationship has failed or a job has been lost. In the midst of all the holiday frenzy, some feel left out as they endure the long night of the soul.

This year, St. Peter’s is offering a chance for people to gather together in prayer and contemplation with others in similar situations, either virtually via Facebook or YouTube, or in person. In this service, participants can lay their burdens before God as they gather together to pray. Attendees will recall the loving kindness of a God who never gives up on people as they offer up their pain, sadness and loneliness, and seek consolation and comfort. In offering this service, organizers pray and hope that all who participate will find peace and consolation in knowing they are not alone, and they are beloved by God.

Currently, masks are required for all attending in-person services.

St. Peter’s is located on the corner of Second and Market streets in Lewes.

If you were not able to join us un person you can view this service and many others by following the link below.

https://youtu.be/lLbvNZz6Whs