In early November, the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York created a 3-part service open to everyone. The first was the “Feast of All Saints”, (also called All Hallows’ Eve or, Halloween). The second was the Feast of all Souls, a day set apart for honoring all who have died. The third was a National Day of Remembrances, a time to give thanks for those who have perished during this Pandemic.
For these 3 days the Cathedral invited people from all over the city to send in photos of a loved one who died. These photos were projected onto a huge screen which hung over the altar facing the audience. It felt like their beautiful faces were looking out to us, and we to them, connecting deeply. Even if you didn’t know who these people were, the effect was powerful. People were able to express thanksgiving for the lives of their lost loved ones in a public and yet very personal way.
Those who were there at the Cathedral, or who viewed it on one of the myriad of digital ways that are now available to us (social media, Zoom etc.), commented that this helped them reflect on the person and find some peace within their sadness and mourning.
Media reports are full of stories of people finding solace and comfort in connecting with others, sharing experiences, expressing their losses, leaning on each other, or offering a hand to someone in need, accepting help from neighbors and strangers, perhaps more than they had ever done before. There is courage in this. Perhaps the way forward as we deal with this relentless Pandemic and the toll it takes, is in this instinct to connect and to be grateful for each other.
In the lobby of a client’s building, we saw a beautiful Menorah with its candles in full glow, festive dreidels, a set of electric trains running through a snowy holiday setting, and a Christmas tree strung with lots of glittering lights. The doorman greeted us and said “People are going all out this holiday season!!” Exactly! This holiday season, we can “go all out” amid the darkness, and enjoy the bright lights and decorations, the music, things that are fun, or delicious, and recognize goodness in each other. Could this be a common ground on which we can build for difficult times ahead?
We send to each of you, our clients, colleagues and readers our appreciation and thanksgiving for you and your families. May the year ahead be better for all of you and those who are dear to you. May you go forward in health, safety and love.
