Advertorial: Lights of Love
Remember a loved one this winter
As autumn turns to winter and the evenings draw in, something beautiful unfolds across Hastings and Rother. Lights of Love are the annual remembrance services hosted by St Michael’s Hospice. Each service offers a gentle space to pause, reflect, and remember those we miss. Whether your loved one was cared for by the Hospice or not, these gatherings are open to all, because grief doesn’t have boundaries and neither does love.
At each event, as dusk settles, the trees begin to shimmer with stars. Stars are dedicated by someone remembering a life, perhaps a parent, grandparent, partner, friend, child, pet or colleague. There’s something quietly moving about seeing the stars together on each tree, each one telling its own story. Annabelle shares: “I write the same poem to my parents every year. Just reading the words back to myself will bring tears to my eyes.”
Each service includes thoughtful readings, poems, candle lighting and time for quiet reflection. Some include hymns, while others are non-religious, but all offer a meaningful space for remembrance, whatever your beliefs. You’ll find services in churches, at the Hospice and at Hastings Crematorium.
You can dedicate a star online at smhlightsoflove.memorypage.org where you’re invited to write a message or share a photo. If you’d prefer to decorate your own star by hand, simply fill out the online form at stmichaelshospice.com/lights-of-love-stars to order however many stars you’d like to dedicate. Return your stars to the Hospice by Friday 28 November.
Lights of Love events take place at Hastings Crematorium on Sunday 30 November, 3.15pm; St Michael’s Hospice on Thursday 4 December, 6pm and Saturday 6 December, 3.30pm and at St John’s Church in St Leonards on Sunday 7 December, 3pm. Further details and events in Rother can be found on the Hospice website. Whether you come to share a quiet moment or see your star amongst the trees lit up with love, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the Hospice Team.
stmichaelshospice.com
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