Derry church leaders to remember those we have lost and deliver All Souls Day Message of Hope this weekend

Those we have tragically lost to COVID and all others who have passed this year will be commemorated this weekend as candles are lit and a message of hope relayed by representatives from Derry’s four main churches on All Soul’s Day.
2020 has been a very challenging year, particularly for those who have lost loved ones.2020 has been a very challenging year, particularly for those who have lost loved ones.
2020 has been a very challenging year, particularly for those who have lost loved ones.

The virtual message will form part of the First light closing events for this year’s Hallowe’en on Sunday.

As with much of this year’s programme, First Light has been adapted due to Covid-19 and will involve online videos which will be shared on the Derry Hallowe’en website and social media pages.

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First Light: Messages of Hope at 4pm on Sunday will see each of the four Church leaders sharing a direct message of hope with all communities, and everyone who has found this year difficult.

During ‘Messages of Hope’, each Church leader will honour those souls lost to COVID or for any other reason this year.

The lighting of a candle in each Church will symbolise the passing of the torch and the united nature of the event.

There will be a video which will be titled ‘Windows to the Soul’, and which will include a tour centring on the atmosphere, the people, the history, the song and the prayer of the four Christian Churches in Derry.

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It will begin in Long Tower (Aras Colmcille), moving to St Augustine’s, then First Derry Presbyterian and concluding at St Columb’s Cathedral, and will feature a contribution from Fr Aidan Mullan, Rev Nigel Cairns, Rev David Latimer and Dean Raymond Stewart, and dedicated volunteers hoping to illuminate the importance of their home to the next generation. Each Church leader will contribute a verse towards an overall All Souls common prayer to unite all souls.

Inspired from a poem by Daniel Ferguson, ‘Windows to the Soul’ takes a look at Christ upon a hill viewed through the windows of each Church. His poem describes the architecture of each window, giving the simple variations, but in essence it is still a window. More importantly, each window is still looking at the same Christ.

The tour will contain original music featuring vocalists, piano and guitar inspired by the Spirit of each place and a series of hymns special to each Church.

Council are also working with the two cathedrals in the city, St Eugene’s and St Columb’s, to mark the traditions of All Souls on Sunday November 1 and Monday November 2. There will be services in both cathedrals which will be streamed online, with special messages of reflection and remembrance.

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Mayor of Derry & Strabane Brian Tierney, said First Light will be a particularly poignant way to end Halloween this year.

“First Light is a special occasion at the end of our annual celebrations, but this year it is especially significant as a time to reflect on the difficulties we have all had to navigate in 2020, the people that we as a community have lost and the challenges that lie ahead which we will face together.

“That togetherness is typified by four of our Church leaders, and I thank them for taking part, sharing messages of hope, and welcoming everyone into their Church.”

Kieran Griffiths, the writer of the piece, added: “Through First Light we wanted to reach out to those who haven’t been able to attend services this year, as a way of connecting safely.

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“Looking through the flame of a flickering candlelight, everything moves, nothing is certain, but the dance of the light is calming. Where then should our focus be?

“Our focus and our theme has been shedding light on different communities and showing unity as one.

“Through prayer, messages and the symbolism of the candle we will remember those who have passed on and look forward with hope for the months ahead.”

For more on First Light and the Halloween programme, visit www.derryhalloween.com/

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