For people grieving the death of a loved one, the holiday season can be a difficult time.
Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region Tree of Bright Stars event creates a caring and comfortable space for those who have been touched by loss to acknowledge this time of year can be especially hard.
This year’s Tree of Bright Stars event takes place Nov. 18 at Grandview Baptist Church in Kitchener.
Guests are invited to dedicate a personalized, stained glass or engraved star in memory of their loved one and place it on a tree during the dedication service. This is a non-religious service featuring poem readings, music and stories of hope.
Craig Cardiff will be this year’s musical guest.
“For many of the people who attend, the Tree of Bright Stars is how they ease themselves into the holiday season,” said executive director Jaime Bickerton in a press release. “It’s a chance to connect with others who have been affected by loss and share in a sense of community.”
Stars can be purchased online at http://www.bfomidwest.org/events-and-memorials/tree-of-bright-stars/.
Stained glass stars are $25 and clear glass engraved stars are $40.
The deadline for personalized star orders is Nov. 1.
Free childcare is offered for the event, but registration is required and can be completed online.
Doors open at Grandview Baptist Church at 6:15pm and the service starts promptly at 7pm.
Guests are asked to arrive early to pick up their stars before the service starts.
Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region is a not-for-profit organization providing free peer-lead grief support in the Region of Waterloo and Wellington County.
Support groups include parents grieving the death of an infant, parents grieving the death of a child, healing little hearts – a professionally-run program for preschoolers and their caregivers, and living with loss – a drop-in group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one.
All services are offered free-of-charge. community.
For more information, contact Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region at 519-603-0196, admin@bfomidwest.org, or www.bfomidwest.org.
