Head to the Rivendell Yurt in Glenora for an Advent Spiral
An event for the whole family is coming up to celebrate the season.
On Sunday, Dec. 2 head to Rivendell Yurt at 5215 Bills Rd. in Glenora for the Advent Spiral. There will be three indoor sittings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Space is limited, so those interested are advised to come 20 minutes early.
Admission is by donation. The event will take place weather and road conditions permitting.
“Join us for this meditative walk, away from the distraction, mayhem and frivolity of the season, into a world of wonder,” invite organizers. “Awaken to the light of Love, deep within us, waiting to be reborn again in the dark stables of our own souls.”
For more information, call Lorna at 250-748-0734 or Lee at 250-748-7372.
Join MP Alistair MacGregor in Duncan to celebrate the season
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP Alistair MacGregor is inviting everyone to a Cowichan Holiday Party on Sunday, Dec. 2.
Drop in to Duncan United Church (246 Ingram St.) between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. for snacks and refreshments along with holiday cheer.
Chanukah set to light up Duncan City Square
Vancouver Island is warming again this winter with the Light of Chanukah touring to public menorah lightings, one of which is in Duncan City Square on Monday, Nov. 3.
“It is wonderful for our community to experience the support being demonstrated by the provincial government and the mayors of our participating municipalities in marking Chanukah this year,” said Rabbi Meir Kaplan, director of Chabad of Vancouver Island.
The event in Duncan begins at 4 p.m. on the Duncan City Square stage where everyone is invited to celebrate with the Jewish community on the second night of Chanukah with the lighting of an eight-foot-tall menorah. You can also stick around and enjoy sufganiyot (jelly donuts), dreidels and music.
Chanukah is a Jewish holiday also known as the Festival of Lights. Chanukah is a Hebrew word meaning “dedication”. Chanukah celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, spirituality over materiality, and the few over the many. It begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew months of Kislev and the holiday is celebrated for eight days. In 2018 Chanukah occurs from sunset on Dec. 2 to Dec. 9.
Tree of Remembrance chance to think of loved ones gone
Cowichan Hospice and the Cowichan District Hospital present the 28th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Cowichan District Hospital on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
The holiday season can be a particularly difficult time for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Cowichan Hospice and the Cowichan District Hospital invite all members of the community to join together in honour of those who have died at this special event beginning at 5:30 p.m. with music and the memorial tree in the lobby, and the ceremony, beginning at 6 p.m. at the main entrance.
Join others in the cafeteria afterwards for refreshments and snacks.
“This event is a chance to acknowledge the loss of a loved one and to join others in ceremony and song,” says Lisa de Lusignan, bereavement coordinator at Cowichan Hospice.
The holiday season can be a joyous time for family and friends, but if you have lost someone who played a vital role in your enjoyment of this season, you may dread seeing it approach. Grief doesn’t have to be fresh to be painful. Here are a few suggestions from Cowichan Hospice on how to make things a little easier this time of year:
• Holidays often magnify feelings of loss. Allow the tears to come, but look for joy amidst the pain. Be gentle with yourself and don’t expect too much.
• There is no right or wrong way to handle the holidays. Some people prefer to follow cherished family traditions, while others decide to change them. Remember, what you choose to do at this time can always be changed next year.
• Do something symbolic. Think about including rituals that can appropriately symbolize your memory of your loved one. You might light a candle or hang a special ornament.
If you or someone you know is grieving, Cowichan Hospice offers free and confidential grief support services to anyone in the Cowichan region. They can be reached at 250-701-4242 or online at cowichanhospice.org