PREECEVILLE — A long-standing holiday tradition in Preeceville will again bring residents together to honour loved ones who have passed. Community and area residents will purchase Christmas light bulbs in their memory, with each bulb placed on a special memorial tree to be lit during a ceremony on Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
The tree, located at the south end of Main Street, has been lit for more than a dozen Christmas seasons. Each name read during the ceremony will be represented by a lighted bulb on the string of lights. The event is sponsored by the Preeceville Trinity United Church Women League.
“At Christmas time, in our community many parties and projects, worships and family gatherings, and food shared,” stated Miles Russell in past services. “One of the traditions in Preeceville for many years has been the lighting of this memory tree. As I thought about this ceremony, I thought about the power of these little lights shining brightly in the darkness of a December night in Saskatchewan.”
“There are many big things that happen in life. Some of the most important things in life are not bought or grand but tiny and even unnoticed by most, a kind word, a simple gesture or a helpful act. By doing something simple, by putting a tiny Christmas bulb on a tree in memory of someone who has been loved but is no longer with us.
"We remember those many names who have shaped our lives, touched our hearts, and contributed to our communities and world. We give thanks for those tiny and simple things, like their words spoken, their actions, their kindness shared, that have touched our lives.
"As we give thanks for those people we love who are remembered tonight, let us commit to living that are made up of a thousand tiny, simple, and yet so profound acts of light in our lives, tonight and always,” concluded Russell.
