2009 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Services - Iowa

Communities across the globe will be joining in The Compassionate Friends 13th Worldwide Candle Lighting on December 13, 2009.

You are invited to provide us information about your Worldwide Candle Lighting event for posting so people in your area will know of your service and be able to attend. Please complete the Worldwide Candle Lighting Information Form.  Note: we reserve the right to edit all submissions.

IMPORTANT: If you attempt to submit your candle lighting service and we do not contact you or your service is not listed within 24 hours, please contact Joan@compassionatefriends.org.

Click on your state below to view Worldwide Candle Lighting events in your area. 

 Services are being added daily! Stop back often!!

 

 
Countries Outside of the United States:    Australia  Austria  Bahamas  Bahrain  Canada  England  France  Germany  Mexico  Philippines  Poland  Puerto Rico  South Africa  Spain  Switzerland
                                                                     

Algona – North Central Iowa Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: First Lutheran Church, 226 North Putnam St, Algona, IA
Highlights: Special program includes responsive reading, special poems and songs, lighting candles in a circle in memory of our loved one and our Credo.
Bring: Bring a photo or special memento to set on the table with the candles. We would welcome any readings and/or snacks to share.
Special Events (before): We will meet at 6:30 PM so we can start our program, have introductions, and have our candles lit for 1 hour (7:00-8:00 PM).
Special Events (after): Refreshments and snacks will be served and a fellowship time.
Additional: If you are not able to attend, light a candle where ever you are from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM in memory of your loved ones.
Contact: Kay Elbert or Cary Lane
Telephone: 515-884-2249 or 515- 295-5962  

Burlington – Great River Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM
Location: Fun City (conference room), 3001 Winegard Dr, Burlington, IA
Highlights: Reading of special poetry, music, and video presentation.
Bring: Cookies and coffee. Attendees may also bring pictures or remembrance.
Special Events (after): Sharing time after candle lighting.
Additional: Please contact Jackie Mettler or Tami Herr if you have questions regarding the video presentation. 
Contact: Jackie Mettler/Tami Herr
Telephone: 319-537-0063 Email: jsmettler@excite.com or herrt@mt-pleasant.K12

Carroll – West Central Iowa Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: 1st United Methodist Church, 1621 N. Main St, Carroll, IA
Highlights: Service will include selected music, poems, special readings, and each of us will light our loved one's candle. Refreshments following the service.
Bring: A photo or remembrance of your loved one as we will display these when we light our candles. If a poem or song touches your heart, please bring that as well.
Special Events (after): Join us for refreshments immediately following the service.
Additional: Other questions, please contact LuAnn Smith, Newsletter Editor, at 712-364-3878 or lmsmith@longlines.com.  
Contact: Kathy Richardson
Telephone: 712-792-3141 Email: srich@mchsi.com

Charter Oak – West Central Iowa Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: United Methodist Church, 124 Cedar Ave, Charter Oak, IA
Highlights: Service will include selected music with vocal solo by Kaylea, poems, special readings, and each of us will light our loved one's candle. Refreshments following the service.
Bring: A photo or remembrance of your loved one as we will display these when we light our candles. If a poem or song touches your heart, please bring that as well.
Special Events (before): Please come at 6:00 PM if you would like to help setup, bring special music or poetry.
Special Events (after): Join us for refreshments immediately following the service.
Additional: Other questions, please contact LuAnn Smith, Newsletter Editor, at 712-364-3878 or lmsmith@longlines.com.  
Contact: Jo Larson
Telephone: 712-884-2685 Email: JoJohnL@yahoo.com  

Marion – First United Methodist Church

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: First United Methodist Church, 8th Ave & 12th St, Marion, IA
Highlights: Readings, prayers, special music, and reading of children's names with candle light ceremony. Candles will be provided.
Bring: Special mementos or a framed picture of your child to be placed on a remembrance table (please have your item(s) on the table by 6:45 PM).
Special Events (after): Light refreshments served after the ceremony. 
Contact: Dennis Sharp
Telephone: 319-329-8652

Mason City – North Iowa Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:15 PM
Location: First Covenant Church, 411 S. Ohio Ave, Mason City, IA
Highlights: Slide show, music, poetry readings, individual candle lighting, remembrance tree, and sharing time.
Bring: There will be a memory table for remembrances of your child.
Special Events (after): We will have refreshments after the vigil.
Additional: Open to the public. If unable to attend but would like your child, grandchild, or sibling included we would be glad to do this. Pictures and names for the slide show can be mailed to Susan Schroder, PO Box 755, Mason City, IA 50402. 
Contact: Susan Schroder
Telephone: 641-210-5024 Email: cfnorthiowa@gmail.com   

Muscatine – Muscatine Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Geo. M. Wittich-Lewis Funeral Home, 2907 Mulberry Ave, Muscatine, IA
Highlights: Special music, poems, and DVD of our children's pictures.
Bring: Pictures for video of our children are due by 12/1/09.
Special Events (before): Part of program before the 7:00 PM candle lighting.
Special Events (after): Special DVD of our pictures and refreshments. 
Contact: Bill and Linda McCracken
Telephone: 563-263-2737 Email: linmac49@msn.com

Sioux City – Sioux City Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Mercy Medical Center Leturm Room (turn right past the gift shop), 801 5th St, Sioux City, IA
Highlights: We read our children's name off and light a candle for them. We place an angel ornament on a Christmas tree in memory of our children. We have a program to follow along with.
Bring: Attendees can bring snacks to share for lunch, if you wish is not required.
Special Events (after): Lunch is served after the program. In case of bad weather listen to KTIV channel 4 or KDCR, Sioux Center Radio Station. 
Contact: Don Mulder, Laurie Dryer, Patsy Bootsma
Email: amstoobp@hotmail.com