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The holiday season isn’t always about making merry, especially for those dealing with the loss of a loved one, loneliness or other troubles. Three events this month offer support and comfort:
» St. Francis Hospice’s 25th annual "Light Up a Memory" tree-lighting ceremonies, 6 p.m. Friday at the Sister Maureen Keleher Center, 24 Puiwa Road in Nuuanu, with entertainment by Marlene Sai, the Sandra Wong String Studio and the Lorna Ota Ensemble; and 6 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Maurice J. Sullivan Family Hospice Center, 91-2127 Fort Weaver Road in Ewa Beach, with hula and Hawaiian music performances by Na Leo Nahenahe ‘o na Kupuna. Participants can honor the memory of family and friends at these free ceremonies, which offer encouragement and support, holiday entertainment and refreshments. Donations are welcome in advance to designate name stars to be hung on Christmas trees on the center’s grounds. Call 595-7566.
» "In Sickness and In Health: Coping with the Holiday Blues," 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Castle Medical Center’s Wellness Center Auditorium. Learn how to cope with depression associated with the holidays at a seminar led by Dr. Denis Mee-Lee. Free. Call 263-5400 or visit www.castlemed.org.
» Blue Christmas worship service, 6 p.m. Dec. 21 at Windward United Church of Christ, 38 Kaneohe Bay Drive in Kailua. A calming and reflective service focused on the lighting of four pillar candles to remember those lost, to release the pain of the past, to honor participants as survivors and to keep hope alive, according to the Rev. Jayne Ryan Kuroiwa. Participants will have the opportunity, if they choose, to come forward and light a votive candle from one of the four pillar candles. The service includes poetry, scripture readings, soothing Christmas carols led by a live jazz band and meditative prayers. Call 254-3802.