The council chambers at city hall in Williams Lake City were filled to capacity Sunday afternoon for a service of remembrance and healing for those suffering with loss this holiday season.
The Williams Lake Hospice Society hosted the 22nd annual Memory Tree Celebration, which took place from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
The service included a welcome by City Councillor Sue Zacharias, followed by opening prayers, reading and candle lighting and reading of the memory book as well as music by Quintet Plus and the Williams Lake Pipe Band.
It was a solemn occasion, with words of hope and support spoken to grieving guests by those representing various faiths, including Christianity, Buddhism and Sikhism.
Following closing remarks by Zacharias inside chambers, the more than one hundred guests were all given candles as they made their way outside for the Luminary and Tree Lighting at 4:30 p.m.
Once the tree was lit, guests were encouraged to head back inside to the warmth of the city hall foyer where refreshments and snacks were provided by Cariboo-Chilcotin Funeral Services.
The Williams Lake Hospice Society is a community-based non-profit society which provides supportive, compassionate care for those living with advanced or life threatening illness, death or bereavement.
The society is always in need of volunteers to sit with palliative individuals.
For more information on the Williams lake Hospice Society or to connect with supports this holiday season, please contact 250-392-5430.
