It was a windy, chilly night. A skim of snow lay on the ground. One by one and two by two, the carolers headed toward the welcoming lights of the Tockwotton senior care facility on the bay across from Providence. Their destination? The 3rd floor, where our minister, Nancy Soukup, was recovering from an unexpected operation.
It was Wednesday, Dec 10. Four couples and a dear friend from UCC gathered by Rev. Soukup’s bedside, opened their little Christmas hymnals, and started singing. Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem. With much laughter and sharing of stories, and song after song, our love and appreciation of our minister — and our hopes for her speedy recovery — poured forth, filling the room and spilling out into the hallway for others to share.
Following the visit with Rev. Soukup, the carolers meandered through the dark night down to the end of the peninsula where their flashlights joined a phalanx of cars on the promontory behind them in beaming a “Good Night Lights” 10th Anniversary message of love to the children across the bay, high up in the hospital rooms of the Hasbro Hospital. Good Night Lights is a ministry of love created a decade ago by our congregation member Steve Brosnihan, who provides professional counseling for these young patients using his skills as an artist. During these past 10 years, the Good Night Lights program has grown to cover the sending of flashing, long-distance messages of support every night of the week from groups around the state.
Sending out light into the darkness and joyful song into the silence, we wish you all a loving Christmas celebration and a healthy and happy New Year.