2009 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Services - Illinois

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
                                                                     

Aurora – Fox Valley Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM
Location: Outdoors in the oak grotto just north of our meeting room at Mercy Center Hospital, 1325 N. Highland Ave, Aurora, IL
Highlights: Luminaries line the path to the grotto; we light candles for our children and say their names.
Bring: Feel free to bring any pictures or remembrances and if you'd like, holiday cookies or similar.
Special Events (after): We will warm up in our meeting room and there will be snacks and warm and cold drinks.
Additional: In conjunction with our regular meeting on Friday, December 11th, we will hold an indoor candle lighting ceremony, which includes a speaker, poems, music, lighting special candles for our children, and lots of special treats. 
Contact: Lee Ann Meiborg
Telephone: 630-220-6170 Email: tcf_leeann@hotmail.com  

Belleville – St. Clair County Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 2:00 PM
Location: St. Elizabeth Hospital Chapel, 211 S. 3rd St, Belleville, IL
Highlights: Speakers, readings, music by Moosetones, reading of children's names, and candle lighting.
Special Events (after): Light refreshments and sharing. 
Contact: Dorothy Sarmiento
Telephone: 618-977-0924 Email: cakesmith8@aol.com

Bloomington – Bloomington/Normal Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 704 N. Main St, Bloomington, IL
Highlights: Special music, readings, speaker, and reading of children's names.
Special Events (before): Prior to the service, an ornament with child's name is placed on the Christmas tree. 
Contact: Linda Zick
Telephone: 815-692-2829 Email: lzick@verizon.net  

Burbank – South Suburban Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45-8:00 PM
Location: Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 8607 S. Narragansett, Burbank, IL
Highlights: Readings and music. Family and friends are invited.
Bring: Photo or remembrance of your child to display on photo table.
Special Events (after): Light refreshments and fellowship after program. 
Contact: Julie Diaz
Telephone: 773-734-5957 Email: juliediaz826@comcast.net

Carbondale – Southern Illinois Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Carbondale Civic Center, Carbondale, IL
Highlights: Poems, special music, and reading of children's names.
Bring: Attendees should bring pictures or remembrance.
Special Events (after): Refreshments will be served after the program. 
Contact: Vanessa Webb
Telephone: 618-457-5929 Email: vanessawebb@verizon.net  

Carterville – Illinois Little Egypt Chapter of Bereaved Parents

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 3:00 PM
Location: Christian Covenant Fellowship, 1025 S. Division, Carterville, IL
Highlights: Ralph Brandon, pastor and grief counselor, will be giving a small talk, poetry readings, special music, and reading of children's names while lighting candles in remembrance of them. Angel ornaments will be given out for each child.
Bring: Pictures of their children and/or remembrance mementos.
Special Events (before): Anyone interested in saying/sharing a few words about their child is welcome to let us know before the service.
Special Events (after): Punch, cookies, and coffee along with sharing time with other bereaved parents.
Additional: May also call 618-889-0162 
Contact: Mona Shemwell
Telephone: 618-988-8209 Email: sammo26@verizon.net 

Chicago – Cabrini Mothers in Power

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 gather at 6:30 PM, program begins at 7:00 PM
Location: Open lot across from (west of) Jenner Academy Elementary, 1119 N Cleveland Chicago, IL
Highlights: Speakers, balloon release and opportunity to speak name of loved ones.
Bring: A picture or remembrance of loved ones.
Additional: Expanded purpose to honor all those loved ones whose lives have been cut short by violence or tragedy. Open to all. 
Contact: Treyonda Towns 
Telephone: 312-388-0918 Email: glorytrey@ymail.com   

Chicago – Chicago Southside Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: St. Ailbe Church, 91st & Stoney Island, Chicago, IL 
Bring: Pictures or remembrances of their child or children. 
Special Events (after): Refreshments will be served in the Imani Room.
Contact: Vernal Breashears or Norma Mullon
Telephone: 773-502-4304 Vernal or 773-721-7819 Norma 
Email: ntmullon@ameritech.net

Chicago/Northwest Side – Queen of All Saints Basilica with Elizabeth Ministry and Rainbow Hospice

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM (7:00 PM Start)
Location: Queen of All Saints Basilica, 6280 N. Sauganash Ave, Chicago, IL (Peterson exit off of the Edens Expressway. Parking on west side of church)
Highlights: Short service, poem, music, candle lighting (quietly light a candle or say a few words).  
Bring: Something for the remembrance table (and to take back with you) if you wish.
Special Events (before): 6:45 PM arrival, 7:00 PM start - short service, with candle lighting and music.
Special Events (after): Optional - stay for simple refreshments, fellowship, or view remembrance table.
Contact: Julie Morley
Telephone: 773-792-1044 

Chicago – Rosario V. Cabrera and bereaved families of Chicago, IL in conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 3200 East 91st Street, Chicago, IL 
Highlights: Special music, reading of children's names, speakers, and readings.
Bring: Pictures or remembrances and if they would like to bring refreshments.
Special Events (after): Sharing time and snacks. 
Contact: Rosario V. Cabrera
Telephone: 312-659-7315 Email: rmccabrera3@sbcglobal.net

Cobden – Union County in conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Cobden Unit School, 413 N Appleknocker St, Cobden, IL
Highlights: Readings, music, reading of the children's names, refreshments, and releasing balloons.
Bring: A candle, and photo or remembrance of child.
Special Events (before): There will be food. Will eat while doing the program highlights.
Special Events (after): Refreshments. 
Contact: Mitch & Penny Alsip or Stella Jackson
Telephone: 618-893-2979 or 618-893-4980

Crystal Lake – McHenry County Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake, IL (corner of Dole and Crystal Lake Avenues)
Highlights: Musical tribute, poems and stories shared, pot luck after the candle lighting.
Bring: Any poem or story you would like to share. Pot luck dish if you like - but not required.
Special Events (before): Event begins at 6:00 PM with candles lit at 7:00 PM.
Special Events (after): Pot luck, fellowship downstairs.  
Contact: Adolph Svec, Chapter Leader
Telephone: 815-568-6652 Email: asvec@mc.net

DeKalb – DeKalb County Hospice

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: Hopkins Park Community Room, DeKalb, IL
Highlights: Readings, special music, testimonials, and fellowship. 
Bring: Framed picture or remembrance of your child to be placed on memorial table.
Special Events (before): Sharing time with special readings and music will be held before the candle lighting from 6:00-7:00 PM.
Special Events (after): Snacks will be served after the ceremony. 
Contact: Sue Rankin
Telephone: 815-756-3000

Elmhurst – West Central Suburban Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Elmhurst American Legion, 310 W Butterfield Rd, Elmhurst, IL (corner of Butterfield and Spring Roads)
Highlights: Readings, music, candle lighting, and slide show of our children.
Bring: A photo or memento of your child.
Special Events (before): Doors open at 6:00 PM. Program begins at 6:30 PM.
Special Events (after): Refreshments after the program.
Additional: A slide show of our children's photographs will once again be included in the program. If you would like to include your child and we do not already have his/her picture, please send a photo (8"x10" max) to: Mary Collins, 131 S. Harvard, Villa Park, IL 60181 or email jpeg files to: jacmtc@prodigy.net or bring it to the November meeting.  
Contact: Barbara Moll
Telephone: 630-290-7807 Email: bmoll@vending.org  

Kankakee – Greater Kankakee Area Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Butterfield Court Retirement Centre, 1485 Butterfield Trail, Kankakee, IL
Highlights: This is a special way for families to remember their children and honor their lives through poems, music, readings, and the candle light ceremony. This year we will be showing via DVD pictures of our children that have been submitted in advance and a copy will be available for families to take home. Candles will be provided.
Bring: Attendees are asked to bring a picture or remembrance to display on a special table reserved for this.
Special Events (after): Families are asked to bring a finger food or dessert for our social time held after the candle lighting ceremony. Beverages will be provided.
Additional: Families wanting their child's picture included on the DVD must email picture to Mary Seibert by November 15, 2009. If unable to send by email please contact Mary for mailing instructions. 
Contact: Mary Seibert
Telephone: 915-468-6443 Email: k_m_seibert@yahoo.com

Lake Villa – Northern Lake County Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Millburn Congregational Church, 19073 W. Grass Lake Rd, Lake Villa, IL (corner of Route 45 and Grass Lake Rd. Parking on west side of church-enter by white double doors)
Highlights: Readings, live and recorded music, children's names spoken.
Special Events (after): Light refreshments after program. 
Contact: Jenny and Rick Selle
Telephone: 847-249-4776 Email: jennyselle@yahoo.com 

Mt Vernon – Bereaved Parents of USA Southern Illinois Chapter

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 2:00 PM
Location: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 3205 Broadway, Mt Vernon, IL
Highlights: Music, special works, parent comes to front and lights a candle when the child's name is read aloud. If you would like, we are accepting new unwrapped toys to be given to children in the area. Parent may place child's photo or remembrance on the angel table.
Bring: A picture or remembrance of child. If you wish, a new unwrapped toy in memory of your child.
Special Events (before): Time to register child, put photo or remembrance on angel table, hang angel ornament on tree.
Special Events (after): Punch, cookies, and sharing. Small remembrances available.
Contact: Linda D Mlot
Telephone: 618-244-6559 Email: ldmlot@hotmail.com

Newton – Southeastern Illinois Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM
Location: St. Thomas Parish Center, 306 W Jourdan St, Newton, IL (parking available off Washington St)
Highlights: Reading of children's names, poems, and songs.
Bring: A picture or item of remembrance for each child.
Special Events (after): Refreshments and sharing time after the candle lighting. 
Contact: Julie Short
Telephone: 618-783-8738 Email: setcf144@hotmail.com  

Oregon – Lee and Ogle Area Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: Oregon Church of God, 860 W. Oregon Trail Rd, Oregon, IL
Highlights: Service includes readings, special music, reading of children's names, and refreshments.
Bring: Picture or remembrance of child. 
Contact: Susan Tyrrell
Telephone: 815-288-0663 Email: styrrell72@yahoo.com

Pekin – Pekin Area Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: Miller Center (room A), 551 S. 14th St, Pekin, IL (across from the Pekin Park Lagoon)
Highlights: There will be a program before the candle lighting of sharing, readings, music, and reading of children's names.
Contact: Janet Knight or Nina Schacherbauer
Telephone: 309-352-6000 Email: tcfpekin@yahoo.com

Peru – River Valley Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM (candles lit by 7:00 PM)
Location: Illinois Valley Community Hospital, 925 West St, Peru, IL
Highlights: Readings, music, and poems.
Bring: Pictures, remembrance, songs, poems, or whatever they want to bring.
Special Events (after): Refreshments served afterwards. 
Contact: Rita Studzinski
Telephone: 815-223-7663 Email: jrstudz@comcast.net

Vienna – Heart, Hands, and Hope Grief Support

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM
Location: Vienna City Park, Vienna, IL
Highlights: Speaker reading of names.
Bring: Please bring a picture or remembrance.
Special Events (after): Coffee and warm beverages will be offered after candle lighting.
Additional: This is an outdoor event, please dress accordingly.  
Contact: Jackie Harper
Telephone: 618-771-6582 Email: jackharper@4siwi.com