Auxiliary member and chair, Sharon Goss shows the board of names and donors who helped to raise $6,000.

MUNCY – Sunday’s dimming light at dusk revealed a whole array of illuminated white lights that spanned the front lawn of the Muncy Valley Hospital, and were turned on close to 5 p.m. during the 21st celebration of the annal Lights of Love. They glowed from the trees, the gazebo, a star and a wreath.

Sponsored by the Muncy Valley Hospital Auxiliary the evening honored over 270 donors who contributed to the shining success of this memorial fundraising project.

Barbara Morgan, a certified therapeutic specialist, welcomed guests and donors and introduced Sharon Goss, Auxiliary chair for the Lights of Love committee after an introductory song of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”

Before giving her speech and introducing the guest musicians, Goss thanked the committee and announced that $6,000 was raised for the hospital. “What this time means when the lights go dim, is the blessed quietness as we spend time waiting for the Christ Child,” Goss said. “We experience the silence during this special time…waiting for what comes next…be still and know God is coming,” wrote Goss in her speech to the audience.

She then introduced Sister Sharon Hartman who recently retired from Susquehanna Health and took out a moment in prayer before the illumination of the lights. While all sang “Silent Night”, the lights reflected the memory of those who passed on and those who were honored in memory by family members, close friends and volunteers. A blessing was given by Rev. Arlene Beechert, Pastor of First United Methodist Church.

Guest musician, Juliana Mingle from Warrior Run sang "O Holy Night" at the 21st annual Lights of Love celebration in front of Muncy Valley Hospital on Sunday, November 29.

Goss also remarked that a listing board of the names honored both in memory and in life, will be displayed in the Skilled Nursing Unit until the end of February and another board will remain up all year in the hospital’s lobby.

After the ceremony and program, light refreshments were served in the cafeteria of the skilled nursing unit. Other committee members included Betty Fisher, Kim Gardner, Bev Hall, Doris Hess, Linda Holsinger, Bill Ritter, Barbara Sear and Priscilla Wirt.

BARB BARRETT/The Luminary Sister Sharon Hartman, who recently retired from Susquehanna Health, gave a moment of prayer during the blessing of the annual Lights of Love at Muncy Valley Hospital on Sunday evening, November 29.