The Suffolk community joined alongside St Elizabeth Hospice to celebrate the lives of loved ones, who are no longer with us, at the hospice’s annual Light up a Life remembrance service.
Taking place on Sunday 19th December, at St Mary-le-Tower Church in Ipswich, Light up a Life was held as an open remembrance afternoon from 2.30pm – 4pm.
After reviewing the ever-changing environment brought by Covid-19, and the new Omicron variant, hospice organisers took the decision to make changes to the traditional Light up a Life format, in order to keep everyone safe as they came to remember their loved ones this Christmas.
However, Light up a Life still saw a performance from local singer Roma Manteiga-Nicholson, as well as providing the opportunity for attendees to view their dedications on the Christmas tree, light a candle and take a moment to remember and reflect in their own time, as music played in the background.
Catherine Sheppard, Supporter Campaigns Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “It was an incredibly moving afternoon but also one filled with the warmth of Christmas.
“Christmas is a time for families and friends to be together and every year Light up a Life provides the perfect opportunity for the hospice to join together with the community to remember loved ones.
“To be able to hold Light up a Life as an open remembrance service in person, at the beautiful St Mary-le-Tower Church once again, was very special and on behalf of the hospice I would like to say ‘thank you’ and ‘happy Christmas’ to all who supported and helped organise the service.”
Every year Light up a Life sees the community join with the hospice to remember loved ones in a special service held at St Mary-le-Tower Church in Ipswich. However, due to restrictions concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s event was broadcast as an online video.
Over the Christmas weekend a video of Light up a Life, including additional readings from hospice representatives and Reverend Morag Finch, will be published on St Elizabeth Hospice’s Facebook and YouTube channels for all to view.