Events Calendar

Candle Lighting Service
The Compassionate Friends holds an annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Service (second Sunday in December). This event is held around the globe at 7:00 p.m. in each time zone so that a continuous light shines in memory of all children gone too soon. Through local TCF Chapters, parents and families gather to honor their child through readings, music and candle lighting. The Southern Maryland Chapter will not be holding a public candle lighting this year, but families are encouraged to light a candle in their homes to participate in the global wave of light.

So that their light will always shine.

Walk to Remember
The Compassionate Friends holds an annual Walk to Remember at the TCF National Conference (usually held in July). Approximately 1,500 people participate in this walk in honor of their child, sibling or grandchild. They also carry the names of those children whose parents can’t attend the conference but would like their child remembered. Local TCF Chapters also sponsor and hold local Walks to Remember, usually on the same day as the National Conference Walk.

The journey of the loss of a child
should never be walked alone.

National Conference
The Compassionate Friends National Conference is held annually (usually in July) and is held each year in a different state. More than a hundred workshops are offered on various topics dealing with grief and healing. Sharing sessions and bonding with new friends is an important part of the conference. Keynote speakers of national prominence also share their own stories and deliver messages of hope.       

For more information on the National Conference click here.

Events
Other Special Events are often held throughout the year such as Memorial Events, Regional Conferences, Fall Crafting and Remembrance others. Southern Maryland Chapter Members receive notices and information on all meetings and events through our newsletters or special email.