Solstice interfaith gathering

the longest night

Candle/farolitolighting ceremony

Tuesday, Dec. 21, 5-6 p.m.,Taos Plaza Free, hot beverages for all 575-758-3166 COVID mandates for all

COURTESY PHOTO

SOLSTICE CANDLE LIGHTING HONORING LIFE, LOSS AND LIGHT

BY VIRGINIA L. CLARK

Winter Solstice is an ancient celebration of festivals across the world, marking the day of the “sun’s rebirth” – the return of fire and light, life and death, Yule or Yuletide (in Taos, from Thanksgiving Day thru New Year’s Day), and many more.

This year, Winter Solstice is Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 8: 59 p.m. MST, the moment when Earth is tilted as far away from the sun as it will be all year, resulting in the shortest day of the year and hence, the longest period of darkness.

For solstice this year, a number of Taoseños invite everyone to Taos Plaza for “The Longest Night,” to especially honor what the past year or so has meant in people’s lives, both here and the world-over.

“We’re gathering on Taos Plaza for ‘The Longest Night’ (or Winter Solstice) to allow time for people to remember and acknowledge all the losses of this past year,” said Cheri Lyon, pastor of El Pueblito Methodist Church in Taos. “Some of the losses are due to COVID or other causes; some are from violent deaths.”

It’s a way of saying, collectively, “Together We Hold the Light, with each person having the opportunity to light a candle to remember someone,” Lyon said. And all people are invited, of any faith or none.

“Ashram, Buddhist, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Christian or Protestant, as well as people of no interspiritual tradition, of no organized church – all people seeking a more peaceful world,” Lyon added. “Just like we’ve done for the homeless memorial services. It’s not just for the faith communities. It’s for everyone.”

The ceremony will last about 45 to 60 minutes. Since Tuesday is the interfaith community members’ turn to light the Plaza farolitos, they will do so, accompanied by music and ecumenical prayer.

“It’s a time for people to get and hold the light (the theme) and being present for one another. We’re just putting it together so everyone can have it,” Lyon said.

Common Grounds Youth Group, the Youth Outreach Mission of St. James Episcopal Church, will be present at solstice, serving free hot beverages of cocoa, tea and coffee, outdoors on Taos Plaza.

As with all events this season, COVID mask and distancing mandates will be observed. For more information, call or email El Pueblito Church at 575-758-3166 or elpueblitoUMC@gmail.com.

ASHRAM, BUDDHIST, JEWISH, ROMAN CATHOLIC, CHRISTIAN OR PROTESTANT, AS WELL AS PEOPLE OF NO INTERSPIRITUAL TRADITION, OF NO ORGANIZED CHURCH – ALL PEOPLE SEEKING A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD ... IT’S NOT JUST FOR THE FAITH COMMUNITIES. IT’S FOR EVERYONE.