Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Rev. Cathy Jurgens

To the Editor:

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is expected to be a happy time of the year. The holidays are among us, celebrations with family and friends are in full swing, the decorations are beautiful, and Christmas music is on in nearly every public place. It’s a great time of year. Except for when it isn’t.

The truth is, Christmas isn’t a happy time for everyone. Not only does grief not take a holiday, but it seems to come roaring back even stronger at times. It can come in many forms: death of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a dream, changes you weren’t ready for.

And seasonal depression is real, as well. It’s been dark at 5 p.m. since the middle of November, and prolonged darkness can make any troubles feel twice as heavy. It’s hard enough to feel these feelings, but to feel them when it feels like everyone around us is full of happiness and good cheer, is a lot to bear at times.

The hard part is remembering that you are not alone. No matter who you have surrounding you, you also have a faithful and loving God who hears the cries and the pain that this life can sometimes bring us.

To that end, we at Zion United Church of Christ (UCC) would like to invite you to attend our Blue Christmas service at Zion UCC, 113 1st Street NE here in Waukon. It’s a worship service that takes the time to remember that the holidays can be hard and bring up so many different feelings. It’s a time to be free to feel whatever we are feeling, and know that it’s okay, and that God hears us.

All you have to do is show up. You don’t have to tell anyone why you are there or what you are grieving or feeling, though that door is always open, as well. It would be an honor to walk with you during this time, and to remind you that you are never alone.

Our service will be held Wednesday, December 20, at 6 p.m. in our sanctuary.

Rev. Cathy Jurgens
Zion United Church of Christ
Waukon