Memorial Candlelight Service

On Monday 2nd December, we held a multi-faith event in school, that celebrated the power of light as a universal symbol of hope and remembered those who are dear to us.

Welcome and Opening Words

Mr Haycocks:

I would like to welcome you all this evening to this Memorial Candlelight Service.  Each year we meet on the first Monday of the Advent season to remember loved ones, friends and family who are no longer with us.

Tonight, we gather in the glow of candlelight to remember, to reflect, and to find hope in the presence of one another. This is a space open to all, regardless of belief or background, as we focus on light as a universal symbol of remembrance and hope.  This is the first time that we have held our memorial service as an inter-faith event and I am pleased that we are joined this evening by our friends from a range of different faiths.

Mrs Wilson:

Our time together is inspired by the words of Psalm 119:105 in which the vision of Balshaw’s is rooted: ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’

This verse reminds us that even when our path seems uncertain, there is guidance, comfort, and hope—a light that helps us find our way and will guide our path.  The Word in the Bible is that of God, but the symbol of light is universal and the darkness, no matter how deep, can never extinguish that light.

Cultural and Faith Perspectives on Light

Mr Haycocks:

Light is a powerful symbol in every tradition and we are going to explore a range of cultural and faith perspectives on light this evening.

Light represents wisdom, guidance, and comfort in times of darkness. In this way, light shows us the path forward, reminding us of the love and memories we carry.  To tell us about the Christian tradition, I would like to welcome Reverend Ian Sarginson from Buckshaw Village Community Church

The Christian Tradition

Rev Ian Sarginson:

Our service this evening is inspired by our school scripture of Your Word being a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  We see this idea at the start of John’s gospel with these famous words read to us by Ginny…

Reader  (Ginny):

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Rev Ian Sarginson:

Light is a powerful symbol.  We can see light and dark being compared to life and death, ignorance versus understanding, fear versus safety or hope against despair.  No matter how vast the darkness is, one tiny light will break through.  This is like the memories of those we are remembering this evening – the light of our memories will continue to burn in the darkness.

The Islamic Tradition

Reader - Haroon A

Light is of profound symbolic significance in the Islamic tradition too.  It is often associated with divine guidance, purity, wisdom, and the presence of Allah (God).

One of the central references to light in Islam is found in the Quran, in the famous "Verse of Light" (Ayat al-Nur), which Ayesha is going to read to us now.

Reader - Ayesha S

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a crystal, the crystal is like a shining star, lit from ˹the oil of˺ a blessed olive tree, ˹located˺ neither to the east nor the west, whose oil would almost glow, even without being touched by fire. Light upon light! Allah guides whoever He wills to His light. And Allah sets forth parables for humanity. For Allah has ‘perfect’ knowledge of all things.

Reader - Haroon A

We can see again this idea of light being a source of divine guidance.  The imagery of light represents the knowledge and wisdom that God imparts, guiding humanity away from ignorance and darkness (spiritual and moral confusion) toward clarity and righteousness.

Reader - Ayesha S

Light can also be considered a sign of truth and clarity, illuminating the path to moral and spiritual enlightenment.  We might be holding loved ones in our memory this evening who have provided our lives with a moral path or direction.

Mrs Cherry:

The Hindu Tradition

This month has seen the celebration of Diwali for followers of the Hindu Religion.  Diwali is commonly known as The Festival of Light.  There are various Hindu legends behind the story of why lights are lit at Diwali.

Omar is going to tell us about the most famous of these stories which is the story of the Prince Rama and his wife Sita.

Reader - Omar

Prince Rama and his wife Sita who had been banished from their kingdom.  During their banishment Rama and his brother, Lakshmana, were called upon to fight the evil demon-king Ravana.  Ravana had 10 heads and 20 arms and he had been terrorising all those living in his kingdom.

Rama defeated Ravana and rescued his wife Sita who Ravana had kidnapped and freeing the kingdom from evil.  As a thank you to Rama and Sita the villagers throughout the land lit lamps to guide Rama and Sita back to their own kingdom.  The lights are still lit today to remind us to be good and kind and brave and honest.

Mrs Cherry

Tonight as we remember our loved ones, we might think of the ways that they continue to guide us and help us to be good and brave as we continue in their absence

Before we continue to look at the importance of light as an act of remembrance it is time to hear a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye, called “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep,” which will be introduced and read to us by Clarisse.

Reader 4 - Clarisse L:

This well-loved poem which expresses the idea that those we love are always with us, in the light and beauty of the world around us.  These words comfort us with the reminder that our loved ones live on, in everything around us, in the sunlight on the grain and the shining stars of the night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

 

The Jewish Tradition

Mrs Dolman:

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah takes place during November or December and it commemorates the miracle of light. The Jewish people had not been allowed to worship in the temple in Jerusalem and a group of Jews led by Maccabee fought back against a force that was much bigger and stronger and succeeded in taking back the temple.  This was the first miracle.

When they got there, they found the temple lamp that was supposed to remain lit, but when they arrived there was only enough oil for one day.  However, in a second miracle, the lamp burned for 8 days until a new supply of oil had been found.  Nowadays this is represented by the menorah candle which has 8 candles to represent each additional day the lamp burned.  Each night of this festival a candle is lit from the 9th central helper candle called the Shamesh until all are alight. Lighting the menorah represents resilience and the lasting power of faith.  As we light candles this evening to remember our loved ones we are resilient in our loss and there is strength in the faith of their memory.

Mrs Wilson:

We will have another poem now.  This reflection on how the action of lighting a candle can bring to mind positive thoughts of those we have lost is read to us by Millie:

Reader - Millie B:

Light a candle,

see it glow,

watch it dance

when you feel low.

Think of me,

think of light,

I'll always be here,

day or night.

A candle flickers

out of sight,

but in your heart

I still burn bright.

Think not of sadness,

that I'm not near,

think of gladness

and joyous cheer.

I have not left,

I am not gone.

I'm here to stay

my little one.

So when you light a candle

and you see it glow

and you watch it dance,

in your heart you'll know

that I would never leave you,

even when you feel so blue.

I'm sitting up here with the Lord

and now watching over you.

Buddhist Tradition

Reader - Meiliy

In Buddhist traditions, light symbolises wisdom and enlightenment. Candles and lanterns are often placed at shrines to dispel ignorance and bring inner clarity.  The notion of enlightenment is itself an image of bringing light to the darkness.  Candles also represent the light of Dhamma, which is the ability to see the nature of the mind and body.

The Secular Tradition

Reader - Ewan

Perhaps it is the influence of the world religions, or just something about the power of candlelight to capture our attention and allow us to focus that makes it a popular way of remembering in secular practice.  We can see this at the site of accidents, deaths and places where the public gather to remember.  As well as the proliferation of flowers we see candles and electronic tealights build up on the pavements between the flowers and the cards.

These lights offer solace, symbolising unity and hope, regardless of background or belief.

 

Mr Haycocks:

Before we begin the candle lighting ceremony we are going to listen to the choir performing “Sing” which was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary Barlow.  It is a song about unity and togetherness and it too uses the imagery of light.  The lyrics of the song say:

You brought hope, you brought light.

Some words they can't be spoken, only sung

To hear a thousand voices shouting love

And light and hope

You can hear the wonderful performance by the choir here

The Candle Lighting Ceremony

 

Mr Haycocks

We now invite each of you to come forward to light a candle in remembrance of a loved one. You may hold a memory or a word in your heart as you do, such as ‘peace,’ ‘love,’ or ‘thankfulness.’

[Candles were lit]

Mrs Wilson

As we light these candles, we honour our shared light—the lives we remember, the love we carry forward, and the hope we renew together.

 

Ian Sarginson

As each candle is lit, our gathering brightens, symbolising how each of us brings light into the world. Together, we create a glow that speaks of connection, hope, and remembrance.  We are united in light and guided by hope.

[Music played in the background during the candle lighting ceremony]

Closing

Mr Haycocks

Tonight, as we reflect on light as a source of guidance, let us hear words that remind us of our own inner light and the light of those we remember.   May the light we’ve shared tonight be a source of comfort and a reminder of the strength we find together in the memories of those no longer with us.

Go in peace, and may you carry this light with you always and may we shine as lights in the darkness.

 

Thank you to everyone who came along and to those who participated in this special service.

Here are some photographs below: