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Candle-lighting service Oct. 8 in support of mentally ill

The Oak Ridger - 9/30/2016

Grace Lutheran Church will hold its annual candle lighting service at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in support of those challenged by mental illness and brain disorders.

The service concludes observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 2 through 8, sponsored by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), a press release said.

With its combination of prayer, music, anointing and communion, the service is described in a news release as "a deeply spiritual experience that leads to a deeper commitment to remember all in the congregation, community and world who cope with mental illness and pain.

"Please lend your support to this ministry for all those in distress and need because of mental health issues," organizers said in the release.

The annual candle lighting service is a tradition in many Evangelical Lutheran Church in America churches. The liturgy has been developed by the ELCA and the Lutheran Network on mental illness/brain disorders.