For the 33rd year, Advent Lutheran Church will hold a candlelight service for parents who have lost a child. 

The service will be held Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

“This is open to the public for anyone who has lost a child, or a friend or a cousin, who has died before their parents,” said Mary Pauley, a member of Advent Lutheran Church. “We will light a candle in memory of those children.” 

Pauley said that typically more than 100 people attend and light a candle in memory of a child they lost. 

“When it comes to Christmas time, and those special occasions, you have this need to include the child that was lost,” Pauley said. “Even though they are not here anymore, you just have that feeling to have them; especially, if it’s a new loss.” 

The event gives parents who lost a child a way to lean on others for strength.

“It gives them a sense of peace, and knowing that they are not alone or the only ones experiencing this,” Pauley said. “It gives them a sense of joy and peace to be able to gather together with other people who have lost a child. Remembering that child kind of opens you up and makes you feel just a little bit better.” 

Light refreshments will follow after the candlelight service finishes. 

Pauley said this is a good time to make connections with other parents and form a support line. 

“This is just an opportunity to join together with others,” Pauley said. “Afterwards, they can talk about any issues that they are having getting through the holiday, or how they are preparing themselves to get ready for Christmas emotionally.” 

The event will be inside and free to the public, with candles provided. 

Advent Lutheran Church is located at 1416 Vernon Road in LaGrange and can be reached at (706) 882-0130.

“We hope to see people connect and have someone there that they can get together with and help that person through a rough time,” Pauley said.