Longest Night Service

What is the Longest Night? The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in our Northern Hemisphere, this year it occurs on December 21st. The solstice symbolizes the beginning of winter and a turning point, after which days begin to get longer.

It is also in the middle of our Liturgical New Year – Advent – the time of Hope and anticipation.

Every Advent is different. Some are memorable – some are painful.

There are Advents where something or someone is missing. There are Advents marred by family, societal or personal trauma -  losses of livelihoods, family, security, trust, and maybe even faith. The Longest Night service is an offering for all of us. This will be a service of scripture, prayers, sharing of the Eucharist, and music. During this service, we invite you to bring your losses and grief to a place where they may be held gently and sacredly. During this service, we honor our sufferings and enfold them in the promise of the Incarnation.

This Year we will gather on Friday afternoon the 19th instead of the day of the Solstice – Sunday the 21st. Liturgically, Sundays are already full! We schedule the service during daylight hours at 2pm so all can participate; not everyone drives at night in the deep darkness.

Based on your requests, we will have a candle-lighting ritual in confidential recognition of the losses and griefs on our hearts. These may include names of people lost, griefs, or other kinds of losses.

Email Reverend Siri at sirih@ourcathedral.org or leave a message on our Pastoral Care voicemail at 612-400-1217 with your requests.