Glen Ellyn church hosts luminaria service to benefit American Cancer Society

Southminster Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn held its annual Luminaria Service on Sunday, Feb. 24, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society. This is a special service to remember those who have been touched by cancer.

When the congregation entered the church that morning, the sanctuary was lit up by 121 luminary bags.

Every bag had the name of a person to be honored or remembered for being touched by cancer.

During the service, each name was read and prayed over.

Luminaria bags were sold for the three Sundays prior to the date of the service. The bags could be purchased to honor someone who had fought and won the battle against cancer or is currently fighting cancer and/or to remember those who fought the battle and were overcome by the disease. One hundred percent of the money collected from the purchases of the luminaria bags is being donated to the American Cancer Society.

A total of $1,210 was collected in honor of this special service.

This was the eighth Luminaria Service at Southminster Presbyterian Church.

The idea began during a Mission Ministry meeting and developed into the idea for the first Luminaria Service in 2012.

An annual Luminaria Service has been held each year since then to honor those touched by cancer.

It is the church's hope that this event will spread to other congregations and to help fund research for finding a cure for this disease.

The church is at 680 S. Park Blvd. For information, call (630) 469-9149 or visit www.southminsterpc.org or www.facebook.com/SouthminsterPC/