By Courtney D. Clark
Friends and families will unite globally and locally Sunday as Memorial Baptist Church hosts a candlelight vigil in connection with the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting.
Bruce and Nancy Anderson of Beckley are organizing the event for a second year in memory of their daughter, Michelle Anderson McKinney.
“Michelle fought breast cancer for three years and died four years ago at the age of 31,” her mother explained. “She was a registered nurse and devoted mother to her girls, Tearson and Shea.
“I got connected with Compassionate Friends after she passed away and decided to have this in tribute to her.”
At 7 p.m., candles will be lighted around the world to remember children who have died at any age, from any cause.
“This service is for anyone who has lost a child,” Anderson said. “It doesn’t matter how old they were or what happened. Come light a candle and remember as we say their name.”
According to Compassionate Friends’ Web site, a virtual wave of light is created as hundreds of thousands of people commemorate and remember children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious and political boundaries.
It is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe since it creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light, moving from time zone to time zone.
The vigil was held last year at Soldiers Memorial, Anderson says, and 35 people attended.
This year’s service will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the fellowship hall of Memorial Baptist Church at 1405 S. Kanawha St. with a short program and light refreshments.
Anderson asks that everyone bring a photograph of your loved one to be placed on the memorial table.
Sponsors include Quota Club and Wal-Mart in Beckley, and cookies are being donated by the women at Memorial Baptist.
— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com
