2009 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Services - Minnesota

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
                                                                     

Buffalo – Rockford MN Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, Buffalo Hospital Foundation, and Peterson Chapel

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 1st Ave. S, Buffalo, MN
Highlights: Special readings, poems, and music. All children's names will be said aloud and a candle will be lit by parent(s) or relative.
Bring: A framed picture or remembrance of their child.
Special Events (after): Join us for fellowship following the candle lighting.
Additional: Candles will be provided. 
Contact: Margaret Randel
Telephone: 763-682-1619 Email: margsmail@charter.net

Chanhassen – Family of Christ Lutheran Church

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 2020 Coulter Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 
Highlights: Readings, reading of children's names, and music.
Bring: Pictures, remembrances. Candles will be provided.
Special Events (after): Refreshments 
Contact: Debbie Ludford
Telephone: 952-240-7252 Email: propaint@aol.com

Fairmont – Fairmont Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Fairmont Medical Center-Mayo Health System (main classroom), Fairmont, MN (enter through the main hospital entrance)
Highlights: We have a special musical presentation of the names of the children.
Bring: Please bring something that depicts a special memory of your child whether it be a book, blanket, picture, etc.
Special Events (before): We will open the doors at 6:00 PM for registration and welcoming. We will gather at 6:30 PM for introductions. The candle lighting will begin at 7:00 PM.
Special Events (after): When all candles have been lit, we will present a special memorial DVD of the names of the children and their death year. We have included all the children whose names we have on our roster. Following extinguishing of the candles, there will be snacks and sharing.
Additional: Should the weather become a factor, please listen to the radio. 
Contact: Claudia Schaaf
Telephone: 507-230-0930 Email: s_claudiam@yahoo.com

Maplewood – St. Paul Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Beaver Lake Lutheran Church, 2280 Stillwater Ave, Maplewood, MN
Highlights: New this year is that our friend, talented vocalist Michelle-Marie, will be accompanied on piano by Melissa. Our other chapter favorite, harpist/music therapist, Tami Briggs, will again be playing her beautiful, peaceful harp music before and during program. Also, there will be a Power Point presentation of our beautiful children/siblings/grandchildren. Please email contact person at peachy3536@comcast.net or cseehuetter@pccaonline.com regarding where to send pictures. You do not need to send a picture if you have already sent one in previous years.
Bring: A treat to share - nothing that needs heating, please (can be your child/sibling/grandchild's favorite hor d'oeuvres, goodie, snack, etc.). Will be set along side a framed picture or remembrance that you bring of your child/sibling/grandchild.
Special Events (before): Gifted music therapist/harpist, Tami Briggs, will be playing for approximately 20 minutes before program begins; therefore, attendees may come earlier to enjoy Tami's soothing harp music.
Special Events (after): There will be a gathering following the candle lighting program in the fellowship hall. Please see above regarding refreshments, etc.
Additional: Candles will be provided. If inclement weather, please check listed number or email for possible cancellation, or check TV and/or radio stations who announce closings. We will do everything possible not to have to cancel, but we want our members to be safe, and we are hoping for good weather this year!  
Contact: Cathy Seehuetter
Telephone: 612-991-9954 Email: peachy3536@comcast.net or cseehuetter@pccaonline.com  

Marshall – Marshall Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, 1301 South 4th St, Marshall, MN
Highlights: Message, readings, and special music.
Bring: Picture or remembrance to be displayed.
Special Events (after): Coffee and cookies. 
Contact: Lorinda Peters
Telephone: 507-532-7337

New Ulm – South Central Minnesota Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Brown County Community Service Building, Public Health Nurses Conference Room-lower level, Garden & Center Streets, New Ulm, MN
Highlights: Candle lighting, sharing children's names, socializing, refreshments, ornaments given out.
Bring: Pictures or remembrances, and special candle (we will have extra).
Special Events (before): Refreshments and socializing.
Special Events (after): Sharing time. 
Contact: Judy Kastman
Telephone: 507-359-2737

Princeton – Princeton Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:30 PM
Location: Princeton Evangelical Free Church, 12140 317th Ave, Princeton, MN
Highlights: We will have music and poems, and as we light our candles we will be reading our children's names.
Bring: There will be a table set out for framed pictures of our children that we are remembering this night. If you would like to bring a dish to share to place by your child's picture, that would be nice. This is a suggestion for those that would find comfort in making a special dish; please do not feel that it is necessary. For those who lost children too early for pictures, I'm sure you have that special item that you may want to share with people who understand.
Special Events (before): Start seating at 6:30 PM, share some music, and poems.
Special Events (after): Please join us for refreshments afterward.
Additional: This is the 1st annual candle lighting ceremony for Princeton. We are a brand new chapter. We love the idea of etching a day out for our children we have lost. There may not be many of us this year, but all who come will find others who are going through the holidays with a child in their hearts but not one they can reach out and hold. 
Contact: Shawn Swanson
Telephone: 612-290-9201 Email: tcfofprinceton@live.com

Redwood Falls – Redwood Falls Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 7:00 PM
Location: Gilwood Haven, 219 South Mill St, Redwood Falls, MN
Highlights: Readings, music, and sharing.
Bring: Picture or remembrance of your child.
Special Events (after): Refreshments. 
Contact: Alice Goelz
Telephone: 507-557-8394 Email: jlagoelz@means.net

Rochester – Rochester Area Chapter of The Compassionate Friends

Date & Time: December 13, 2009 6:45-8:00 PM
Location: Peace United Church of Christ, 1503 2nd Ave NE, Rochester, MN
Highlights: Readings, music, lighting candle in memory of our child/sibling/grandchild and Power Point presentation.
Bring: Bring picture or any remembrances of your child.
Special Events (before): Social time prior to 7:00 PM. Candle lighting will start at 7:00 PM and go until 8:00 PM.
Special Events (after): Refreshments are provided after our service and social time.
Additional: For information regarding the Power Point presentation please contact Anne Fritsche. 
Contact: Anne Fritsche
Telephone: 507-289-8203 Email: Jim.Fritsche@usbank.com