Worldwide Candle Lighting is December 14, 2008

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Light a Candle for All Children Who Have Died

Every year, since 1997, on the second Sunday in December The Compassionate Friends (TCF) hold a Worldwide Candle Lighting in memory of all children who have died too soon.

On this day people around the world are encouraged to light a candle to so that...Their Light May Always Shine.

This year the event will be held on December 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in all time zones around the globe.

Image Source: The Compassionate Friends. Worldwide Candle Lighting Image.

Remembering Children in Poetry 

Poem Excerpt about the Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting

    Children we remember
    Though missing from our sight
    In honor and remembrance
    We light candles in the night...

    We will not forget
    And every year in deep December
    On Earth we will light candles
    As we remember

    Jacqueline Brown

Photo Source: Eli Ratner. Blue Candles. Royalty Free Use.

Worldwide Candle Lighting Video 

Learn more about the Worldwide Candle Lighting by watching this YouTube Video from the Compassionate Friends.
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What is the Worldwide Candle Lighting 

When
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting is held at 7:00 p.m. for one hour in every time zone around the world on the second Sunday in December.

As candles go out in one time zone, they are lit in the next creaing a virtual 24-hour memorial of candles that encircles the globe to honor and remember all children who have died.

Why
The Worldwide Candle Lighting is a way of giving bereaved families around the world the chance to share their loss and remember their child...so that their light may always shine.

It is a way to circle the globe in a virtual 24-hour Memorial in memory of children.

Blue Candles 

Image Source: Jozsef Szoke. Blue Lights. Royalty Free Use.

More about the Worldwide Candle Lighting 

Worldwide Candle Lighting
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting®, held annually the second Sunday in December, this year December 14, unites family and friends around the globe as they light candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Worldwide Candle Lighting
A page with frequently asked questions about The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting.
More information on the 2008 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Services
Communities across the globe will be joining in The Compassionate Friends12th Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting on December 14, 2008.
Suggestions to Help Plan a Worldwide Candle Lighting Service
PDF File with information to help you plan your own Candle Lighting Service.
Music for Candle Lighting Programs
Music titles suitable for memorial candle lighting programs from the Compassionate Friends.
Precious Child
You can hear the Music from the YouTube Video. "Precious Child" was composed for The Compassionate Friends by Karen Taylor Good.
Audio & Video Exclusives From National TCF
Link to order The Compassionate Friends Video, the song "Precious Child" and other resources.

Worldwide Candle Lighting 2008 - A New Logo 

How Can I Get Involved? 

Information for participating in the Worldwide Candle Lighting.

How Can I get involved?
As the dates draw closer to December check The Compassionate Friends website for listings of planned observances.

If you are interested in holding your own candle lighting event you can download guidelines for planning or check on information to hold your own.

Listings of the known planned observances and guidelines for planning and holding your own Worldwide Candle Lighting will be posted as they become available on The Compassionate Friends Website.

...that their light might
always shine

Worldwide Candle Lighting for the Compassionate Friends 

These were some of the images from the Compassionate Friends' Worldwide Candle Lighting in memory of a loved one.

Elisabeth's Candle by kimbear

Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting - December 10 from 7-8 pm local time by Photophool

TCF Worldwide Candle Lighting by LTTay7

Worldwide Candle Lighting 2008 -Original Logo 

A Squidoo Lens on Anniversary Reactions 

Circling the Globe in a Virtual 24-hour Memorial

Memorial Vase and Candle in the Amazon Spotlight 

This Light Memorial Vase and Candle

Amazon Price: $38.48 (as of 07/11/2009)Buy Now

A beautiful way to remember loved ones a this floating vase and memorial candle

The words engraved on the vase read, ''This light shines as a symbol of lives and loves remembered.''

The Vase measures 7 in high x 3-1/2 in wide

The Largest Mass Candle Lighting in the World 

Lighting Candles for all Children Who have Died Because Grief Has No Boundaries

The Worldwide Candle Lighting is thought to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world. Thousands of more events are held around the world informally at home or other special places of remembrance.

The Compassionate Friends Candle Lighting event started in 1997 in the United States as a small Internet observance, but over the last ten years has grown in size and spread around the globe.

The Candle Lighting is a way to commemorate and honor children in an event that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries, because grief knows no boundaries.

Lighting candles for all children who have died.

I will light a candle for you... 

Shattering the Darkness with Light

    To shatter all the darkness
    And bless the time we know.
    Like a beacon in the night
    The flame will burn bright
    And guide us on our way.
    Today I light a candle for you.


Source:
I will light a candle for you... Magnolia Jazz. on Flickr.

Photo Source: Kathryn McCallum. Blue Star. Royalty Free Use.

A Squidoo Lens on Coping with Grief 

Compassionate Friends WorldWide Candle Lighting 

Remembering those who have died.

Taking Off by LTTay7

TCF Rose by DaveTheC

Elisabeth's Candle by kimbear

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting 

More Information about the Event to Remember Children Who Have Died

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting is a way of uniting family and friends around the globe as candles are lit for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause.
The 2008 Worldwide Candle Lighting
General Information page about The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting.
Worldwide Candle Lighting News Stories 2007 - Before the Event
Links to articles about what the media said before the 2007 Worldwide Candle Lighting.
Worldwide Candle Lighting News Stories
What the media said after last year's Worldwide Candle Lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Worldwide Candle Lighting
Frequently Asked Questions about The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting.
Guidelines for Holding a Candle Lighting in Conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting
A pdf file with information to help in organizing and planning a Worldwide Candle Lighting in your own area.

More Candles on Flickr 

Images from other Candle Vigils

peace candle glow by mimbrava

Hope Drips by bdmckeown

Chater Garden, 4th May, 2004 by laihiu

Vigil by J. Random

Vigil Candles by Lerxst Ohio

About The Compassionate Friends 

Assisting Families Following the Death of a Child of Any Age

The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings. Their mission is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive. There is no religious affiliation and there are no membership dues or fees.

The Compassionate Friends works on the premise that as seasoned grievers reach out to the newly bereaved, energy that has been directed inward begins to flow outward and both are helped to heal.

Image: The Compassionate Friends Logo.

Remembering at Christmas  

Image Source: Jaime Krayger. Sad Christmas In PA. Royalty Free Use.

LED Single Ivory Taper in the Amazon Spotlight 

Mr. Light Single Ivory Taper

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/11/2009)Buy Now

This realistic flickering LED gives a flame effect and includes a real solid brass oil lamp style base.

The timer feature allows for 8 hours of continuous operation and automatic turn on at the same time the next night.

A Squidoo Lens on the Safest Candle Ever 

Flameless Candles Available on Amazon 

Vigil Candles Available on eBay 

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eBay

The Compassionate Friends - Home Page 

Offering Hope to Bereaved Parents and Families

The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.
The Compassionate Friends
The home page for The Compassionate Friends (TCF) Organization.

Blog Posts about the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting 

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Reader Feedback on the Worldwide Candle Lighting Lens 

Your place for comments, messages, suggestions, ideas and feedback

Have you participated in the Worldwide Candle Lighting before? Do you plan on participating this year?

Be sure to share your comments, rank the site, pass on the word about the site (email) and leave a message (Reader Feedback).

LoKackl wrote...

The Compassionate Friends made a huge difference in my life when my 16-year-old daughter, Dru, died. Thank you for promoting the worldwide candle lighting ceremony. There are never enough chapters of TCF.

ReplyPosted April 08, 2009

PastorKay wrote...

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I was not aware of it. We must always remember them.

ReplyPosted December 06, 2008

griefgirl57 wrote...

Thank you for the information. i plan to attend the service in Clearwater Florida to remember my son who died

ReplyPosted October 28, 2008

Lensmaster

You have done a great job! I came to know about a great celebration.I will celebrate this with my family this year.
Feel free to visit my lightingeasy blog

ReplyPosted September 05, 2008

Lensmaster

HarmonyRoad

Thank you for your ministry. As someone who lost stillborn twins nearly 28 years ago, I know we have a come a very long way in terms of finding ways to help people grieve such a loss. This is a beautiful ritual that lets people they are not alone and offers a meaningful way to articulate their loss.

ReplyPosted December 04, 2007

Evelyn_Saenz wrote...

Thank you for sharing this great celebration. I just told the kids about it. Because of this lens my family and I will be celebrating this year.

ReplyPosted November 30, 2007

createthechange wrote...

What you are doing is wonderful. We are adding you to our event calendar at www.createthechange.com
so that everyone can see how you are helping to Create The Change in the world.

ReplyPosted November 29, 2007

JenniferAkers wrote...

What a wonderful way to commemorate children - in a worldwide embrace and ceremony. Thanks for sharing the info - I'll be sure to watch for this year's Worldwide Candle Lighting in December.

ReplyPosted August 30, 2007

Benefiting Save the Children 

This lens benefits Save the Children, the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world.