We held our annual Light up a Life service at Bury Parish Church on Wednesday, December 6 to commemorate loved ones now gone.
We were glad to see the community fill the church to remember and celebrate their dearly departed.
The service was hosted by Reverend Julian Heaton, poems and readings were contributed by our community of guest speakers, and songs were sung by the Bury Fire Choir and Encore youth Choir, led by musicians Katie Geelan and Dan Parr.
The Light up a Life service at Bury Parish Church
A very special part of the service was when the lights on the Christmas tree were switched on.
They glowed in the dimmed church, providing a peaceful ambience for silent reflection of warm memories and precious moments.
The lights will remain on the tree throughout the festive season, shining brightly as a symbol of our love.
There are so many people and organisations to thank for helping to make sure that the service went well, including, Fred Hamer Funeral Service for sponsoring the event this year, MK Illuminations for sponsoring the lights on the Christmas tree, and the local community who have provided support in a variety of indispensable ways.
The Light up a Life service at Bury Parish Church
Christmas time can be a very hard period for those who are bereaved, but we hope that Light up a Life went some way to provide some warmth, hope and a sense of peace, within community.
Lisa Schofield, individual giving fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who attended our Light up a Life service at Bury Parish Church.
“It was so lovely to be able to come together to remember our loved ones and dedicate a light to them this festive season.
“The Light up a Life appeal raises vital funds for Bury Hospice every year and your kind support enables us to care for families when they need us most – thank you.”
The Light up a Life service at Bury Parish Church
The hospice would like to thank Bury Parish Church, Reverend Julian Heaton, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mary-Liz Walker, the mayor of Bury, Cllr Sandra Walmsley, Katie Geelan, Dan Parr, Bury Fire Choir, Encore Youth Fire Choir, Dr Kevin Jones, Nellie Savory, Liam McCheyne, Connor McCheyne, Chris Green, Jackie Halstead, Nick Snape, Rhoni Jaefar and the Bury Hospice volunteers.
Bury Hospice CEO Helen Lockwood
To view photos of Light up a Life 2023, head here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/198423957@N05/albums/72177720313131327/
You can still make both a dedication and donation to Light of a Life here: https://buryhospice.dedicationpage.org/lightupalife2023
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here