St. Luke’s hosts Blue Christmas service

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 N. Fifth Ave. in Sequim, holds a Blue Christmas/Longest Night service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21. A Blue Christmas service, writes Rev. ClayOla Gitane, rector at St. Luke’s, is a nondenominational service that “acknowledges that not everyone is filled with joyful anticipation and merriment during the holiday season” and it “recognizes that this season can be a struggle for many folks” and “allows for the ‘blue’ feelings some folks have around Christmas time.”

“This year (and last) has been profoundly difficult on many levels,” she writes. “No one has been spared from the struggle, grief, or stress; it can feel overwhelming.”

Rev. Gail Wheatley, retired rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal in Port Angeles, will conduct the service. She said “on the longest night of the year, as the light begins to return, we will offer up the pain, loneliness, fears or sorrow that we carry to the Christ Child. Come. You are not alone.”

For more information, call 360-683-4862.

Christmas Angel Program set

The Crossing Church and Fairview Bible Church host a Christmas Angel Program from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Fairview Bible Church, 385 O’Brien Road, Port Angeles.

Toys are distributed to parents or guardians with children who are not financially able to purchase gifts. The gifts are available for infants and up to age 18. COVID-19 guidelines are followed (masks, 6 feet of distancing).

Marine Toys for Tots in Port Angeles is a partner for this outreach event.

Call 360-457-7081 for more information.