December 21st at 8 p.m. via Facebook Premiere at

https://www.facebook.com/FirstBaptistBeverly

and

https://www.facebook.com/Beverly-Multifaith-Coalition-625652340949568

You are invited for an Interfaith Longest Night Service. This year, First Baptist and the Beverly Multifaith Coalition is hosting an interfaith gathering to mark the winter solstice and create sacred space to acknowledge the losses and challenges during this pandemic and the hope we find in faith and in community.
Holidays, particularly this year with the pandemic, often bring forth a roller coaster of emotions. How do we find hope and joy in the holiday season, if a loved one has died, a job lost or trust breached? How do we hold on to hope in the midst of societal injustice and the wide gulf between those who have much and the many who have little? During this pandemic, where do find hope and healing?
The winter solstice, marks the shortest day of the year for light and the longest length of time for darkness. It can serve as a metaphor for the journey that we are on. The truth too, is that the winter solstice, also marks a turning point in our journey toward Spring. Each day following, the days become incrementally longer, building toward the promise and renewal of Spring.
This 45-minute Interfaith Longest Night Service, draws upon the wisdom of a variety of faith traditions. We will reflect on how we find light in the darkness, hope in our despair, healing in our divisiveness, community. The service will have Four Candle Lighting segments, each with a theme. (Viewing from home, we are each invited to have 4 unlit candles and if you desire, light a candle and type in a prayer request or a response). Music is provided by Dr. Esther Chang, music director of First Baptist, featuring a solo by Jenn Bobzin. Leadership provided by Rabbi Alison Adler, of Temple B’nai Abraham, Rev. Kelly Weisman Asprooth-Jackson of First Parish UU, Rev. Manny Faria of St Peter’s Episcopal, Dr. Emilia Phillips of North Shore Baha’i, Rev. Gail Cantor, Interfaith Chaplain at Endicott College and Kent Harrop of First Baptist. Please join us!