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Compassionate Friends holds Candle Lighting Service

Loved ones are remembered at World-Wide event
Kim and Mike Statham hold a candle to honor their son Ethan, who died Oct. 17. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 13, 2023

The annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Service of the Lighthouse Chapter of the Compassionate Friends was held Dec. 10 at Epworth United Methodist Church outside Rehoboth Beach.

The service provided a time and place for families and friends who have lost children, of any age, to remember them in a candle-lighting service that circles the globe. The service transcended all ethnic, cultural, religious and political boundaries, and included music, inspirational readings and guest speaker Dr. Judith Pierson. All loved ones were welcomed.

The names of children lost were read, with attendees raising a candle to remember them.

The global candle lighting began in New Zealand and moved west through each time zone, as tens of thousands of bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, relatives and friends joined together to light remembrance candles to honor children who have died but will never be forgotten.

The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or daughter, a brother or sister, or grandchild. The Lighthouse Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, serving eastern Sussex County, meets regularly the second Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m., at Epworth Church.

 

Bill Hicks welcomes attendees to the 27th annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony to honor children who have died.
Diane Liebeskind leads the responsive reading of “We remember them.”
Marge LaFond reads the names of the children who have died while Jill Hicks tolls the bell.
A parent holds a candle to remember their lost child.
A family remembers a loved one.
Skipp Robinson lights the candles of remembrance.
Sharing readings and lighting the candles are (l-r) Fred Taddeo, Kathy Robinson, Skipp Robinson, Al Liebeskind and Robert Kennedy.
A loved one is remembered.
A photo of Bill and Jill Hicks’ daughter, Jamie Lynn, lights up the screen above the alter at Epworth.
Guest speaker Dr. Judith Pierson speaks to the family members gathered to remember their late loved ones.
Jill Hicks sings “Precious Child” to remember her daughter, Jamie Lynn.
Pat Taddeo reads “The Native American Prayer.”
Jerry LaRosa plays and sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Bill Hicks holds the ornament of his daughter, Jamie Lynn, that hung on the Compassionate Friends’ Christmas tree.
A parent holds a candle to honor their son who died.
Jeanne Smith shares a reading while Robert Kennedy looks on.
Al Liebeskind shares a reading while Skipp Robinson lights a candle of remembrance.
Skipp Robinson shares the meaning of the candles to be lit.
Justin Jaconi Sr. was remembered on the screen during the readings.
A couple gives comfort as they remember a loved one.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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