Join Nurture the Soul for special Longest Night worship service

The Nurture the Soul webinar series is in the midst of several webinars celebrating Advent. On Dec. 21, a special worship service will conclude the 2023 program and commemorate the longest night of the year.

The series is hosted by the Rev. Tracy Howe, United Church of Christ Faith Education, Innovation and Formation (Faith INFO) team leader, and regularly features guests from across the National Setting of the UCC as well as local church pastors, partners and prominent figures from around the country. This year’s final episode will take place Dec. 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET in a special “Longest Night” service.

Longest Night services traditionally provide space for those who don’t feel so “merry and bright” this time of year, acknowledging the stress, mental strain and grief that is sometimes felt during the holiday season.

The Nurture the Soul virtual worship will be a music- and poetry-filled event, featuring beloved music collective, The Many. The service can be attended live, but local congregations and members are also invited to download and share the recorded service. It can then be experienced, individually or in community, through the Advent and Christmas season.

Churches will be able to find the recorded service on the Frontline Faith learning channel.

Blue Christmas service recording

Earlier this month, another service was held to recognize and stand in solidarity with the experiences of those aggrieved or displaced by disaster or forced migration in 2023, as well as those grieving.

Katie Howe, UCC minister for disaster response and recovery and part of the Global H.O.P.E. team, led the virtual service on Dec. 5.

“We remember that we are called to stand in solidarity with the captive and the oppressed, the grieving and the suffering, and work together with God’s guidance to create a just world for all,” she said.

A recording of the full service is available below through the UCC’s YouTube channel.

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