Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, joined St Luke’s Hospice on Saturday for a moving Christmas carol service in support of those who have recently lost a loved one.
On 9 December, Stephen was invited to join St Luke’s Hospice for their ‘Light Up a Life’ Christmas carol service at St. Mary’s Church in Chadwell St Mary. ‘Light Up a Life’ supports those who have recently lost a loved one. Grays Town Band opened the service on Saturday, followed by words from Reverend Kate Carter, Christmas carols, words from Deputy Mayor Qaisar Abbas, the switch-on of Christmas lights, and carols by St Luke’s Hospice Singers. Stephen made a reading entitled ‘Have faith in love’ which underlined that grief was an expression of love.
St Luke’s Hospice has an online dedication book, as well as special public dedication lists in Eastgate Shopping Centre, Grays Shopping Centre, and St. Martin’s Church Bell Tower to mark its ‘Light Up a Life’ services. On 17 December, there will also be a special ‘Light Up a Life’ radio dedication show from 1pm to 4pm on FM Gateway 97.8 and Basildon Hospital Radio 87.7.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “I want to thank St Luke’s for inviting me to their ‘Light Up a Life’ service at St Mary’s Church. St Luke’s Hospice Singers and Grays Town Band put on a wonderful service.
Christmas can be an extremely difficult time for grieving families and ‘Light Up a Life’ is a special way of remembering loved ones and bringing families together who have a connection to the hospice.”
