2009 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Services - Michigan

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
                                                                     

Alpena – Remembering Our Children (ROC)

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: St. John's Catholic Church, 2550 S. First Ave, Alpena, MI
Highlights: There will be inspirational music, readings, and recitation of each child's name. We will be releasing balloons for each child. Candles and balloons will be provided.
Bring: Please bring a photo or special remembrance of your child to display. You may also wear a shirt with your child's picture on it.
Special Events (before): We will have ornaments that may be personalized and hung on our "Remembrance Tree". We will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys to donate to "Toys for Tots" in memory of our children.
Special Events (after): Light refreshments and time for sharing will follow candle lighting.
Additional: Please contact me with your child's name to be recited no later than Dec. 11th. Dress appropriately as we will be outdoors for the candle lighting. 
Contact: Karen McCormick
Telephone: 989-358-2251 Email: kmwmc118@hotmail.com  

Jackson – Another Day Another Memory, A.D.A.M. in conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Betsy Butterfield Memorial Park, corner of West Ave & Brighton St, Jackson, MI (From 1-94 take West Ave south to park. The park is on your left side before you come to Parkside Middle School) 
Highlights: Visiting with other families, reading of children's names, and music. A guest speaker will be present.
Bring: Please dress warm. This is an outdoor event. Please bring a candle and a laminated picture of your loved one for the remembrance tree.
Special Events (before): 6:00-6:45 PM warm beverages will be available and families can visit with each other.
Special Events (after): 7:30-8:00 PM warm beverages will be available and families can visit with each other.
Additional: www.adamupdate.com
Contact: Doug Beiswanger
Telephone: 517-768-8941 Email: dbeiswanger@adamupdate.com

Kalamazoo – Kalamazoo Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM
Location: Westwood United Methodist Church, corner of Nichols Road and West Main St, Kalamazoo, MI
Highlights: Readings, songs, candle light ceremony, balloon launch and sharing.
Bring: 8X10 picture or a remembrance of child, a tall candle in glass (a vigil candle), and a snack (sweet or salty).
Special Events (before): 6:45 PM to set up your picture and write on your balloon. 
Special Events (after): Balloon launch and then back inside for story sharing and snacks.
Additional: Would prefer contact by email since I teach 8:30 - 4:00.
Contact: Mary Anne Munley
Telephone: 269 599-1059 (cell) Email: mommunley@Yahoo.com

Lansing – Lansing Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:30-9:30 PM
Location: Community Mental Health, 812 E. Jolly Rd, Lansing, MI
Highlights: Poetry readings and other readings from bereaved parents attending.
Bring: Please bring pictures or remembrances of your child/grandchild, sibling.
Special Events (before): Snacks.
Contact: Jackolyn Brundige
Telephone: 517-894-1890 Email: brundigejackie@aol.com  

Mackinac Island – Ste. Anne's Catholic Church

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Ste. Anne's Catholic Church, Main St, Mackinac Island, MI
Highlights: Readings, remembrance, and songs.
Bring: Pictures/remembrances. 
Special Events (after): Fellowship and refreshments after ceremony.  
Contact: Nancy Marks-Secretary
Telephone: 906-847-3507 Email: steannes@gmail.com  

Marquette – Upper Peninsula Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 4:00-6:00 PM
Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1700 W. Fair Ave, Marquette, MI
Highlights: Readings, music, and Power Point presentation.
Bring: Light refreshment.
Special Events (before): Sharing time. 
Special Events (after): Sharing time and snacks.
Additional: The Power Point presentation has been completed but if you would like to have your child's name added (without a picture) to the end of the presentation you may send your child's name to Kathy at the email address listed below.
Contact: Kathy Schuck
Telephone: 906-249-1948 Email: mkschuck@gmail.com  

Mount Pleasant – Mid-Michigan Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: St. John's Episcopal Church, 206 W. Maple, Mount Pleasant, MI
Highlights: Readings, special music, and presentation of photos of all children with reading of their names.
Bring: Refreshments; contact program organizer to include photos in presentation. 
Special Events (after): Reception after the program.
Contact: Tim Hartshorne
Telephone: 989-773-6303 Email: tim.hartshorne@cmich.edu

Northville – Parents of Hope

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Ward Church, 40000 Six Mile Rd, Northville, MI (chapel parking lots B or C)
Highlights: Non-denominational Christian service with prayer, music, reading of children's names. Families will light their child's candle (all candles provided due to fire regulations).
Bring: Picture that stand on its own (no larger than 8x10) or remembrance and a dessert to share.
Special Events (after): Fellowship with coffee and dessert. Please bring a dessert to pass. 
Contact: Elly Cairns
Telephone: 517-672-6003 Email: ellyjcairns@comcast.net  

Petoskey – Safe Harbor Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 1450 E. Mitchell, Petoskey, MI
Highlights: Special readings, poetry, and music.
Bring: All friends and family are welcome to attend. Bring a picture or remembrance to share on our memory table/board. You are welcome to bring refreshments but it is not required.
Special Events (after): Join us for a time of sharing and refreshments following the candle lighting. 
Contact: Ann Farr
Telephone: 231-439-5097 Email: af2486@gmail.com

Plymouth – Livonia Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Kellogg Park, in the center of town at the corner of Ann Arbor Trail & Main St, Plymouth, MI
Highlights: We will have special music, readings, and reading of children's names. We will also have an interpreter (signer) at the event.
Special Events (before): We also sponsor (2) butterfly trees in the park, "Walk of Trees", and an ornament will be made for your child and put on one of the trees.
Additional: Candles will be provided. Dress warmly as this event is held outside. Please register your child by contacting the email or phone number below. An ornament will be made for your child when you register their name to be read at the candle lighting. Please come 15 minutes early to get your candle, program, and see the butterfly tree. Family and friends are welcome. 
Contact: Gail Lafferty
Telephone: 734-981-4528 Email: tcfcandlelight@yahoo.com  

Reed City – West Central Michigan Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Reed City United Methodist Church, 503 S. Chestnut St, Reed City, MI
Highlights: Program includes readings, special music and video of our children. 
Special Events (after): Refreshments will be served following the candle lighting. 
Additional: We are still accepting photos for the video. Please email them to the address listed below. 
Contact: Nadine White
Telephone: 231-679-0445 or 231-734-3531 Email: nwhite@whitelawoffice.net

Rochester – Troy Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo St, Rochester, MI
Highlights: Readings, music, and Power Point of chapter members' children.
Bring: Finger foods.
Special Events (before): Arrive early to pick up your votive candle. 
Special Events (after): Food and fellowship after ceremony.
Additional: Plain votives will be available. Order votives with child's photo no later than Nov. 16th. 
Contact: Linda May
Telephone: 586-790-0008 Email: lindamay@ameritech.net

Saginaw – Bereaved Parents Saginaw/Mid-Michigan Chapter

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:00 PM
Location: Grace Lutheran Church, 4690 Tittabawassee Rd, Saginaw, MI (between Center & Mackinaw Roads)
Highlights: Special music, readings, Power Point presentation with your child's picture and candle lighting.
Bring: We are accepting new toys for the "Toys for Tots" program. You may want to purchase a toy your child would have liked. This is voluntary.
Special Events (after): Refreshments provided by our local chapter will be served immediately following the remembrance service.
Additional: We will accept new photos until Dec. 10. Please e-mail them to curiousmom85@yahoo.com. Send pictures in a jpeg format. Include child's name, date of birth and date of death or call 989-860-2200 to make arrangements. 
Contact: Jeff or Debra
Telephone: 989-860-2100 Email: curiousmom85@yahoo.com   

St. Clair Shores – Kathy Joerin and bereaved families of St. Clair Shores, MI in conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45 PM
Location: Veteran's Memorial Park, 48082 Masonic (13 1/2 Mile Rd) and Jefferson,   St. Clair Shores, MI
Highlights: Readings, special music, and reading of children's names.
Bring: Protected picture or memento of their child or children for the table of remembrance.
Additional: Dress warmly as this event is outside in the park. 
Contact: Kathy Joerin
Telephone: 586-293-6176 Email: kjmac21@aol.com 

Traverse City – Grand Traverse Area Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St, Traverse City, MI
Highlights: Memorial service at 6:30 PM ending with the lighting of the candles about 7:00 PM. Candles will remain lit until 8:00 PM. Music will be provided by the Munson Hospice Harpers.
Bring: A picture or memento of their child for the remembrance table.
Special Events (after): After the candles are lit, there will be refreshments and time for socializing or to sit quietly with the candles.
Additional: Candles and refreshments supplied by the Grand Traverse Area Chapter.  
Contact: Karen Strom
Telephone: 231-946-9306 Email: pkstrom@charter.net

Wolverine Lake – Lakes Area Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 2905 S. Commerce Rd, Wolverine Lake, MI (just south of Oakley Park Rd, across from Walled Lake Central High School)
Highlights: Readings, special music, and reading of children's names.
Bring: Picture (easel backed is easiest to display) or remembrance. Please bring refreshments to share after the service.
Special Events (after): Shared refreshments after the service (approximately 8:00). 
Contact: David Otis
Telephone: 248-738-2612 Email: dotis@bachmanotiscpa.com