Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Saturday, Dec. 6, for the 2014 Candlelight Service, an annual tradition of the 
Atlanta Chapter of The Compassionate Friends.

The program begins at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Christian Church of Atlanta, and will be followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
 
 

Parent Speaker - Ghakarhi Btembke

Ghakarhi , a single parent, lost his son and only child Michael in August 2003. Michael was a victim of homicide by one of his own friends.  That was the beginning of his grief journey.

After spending multiple sessions with his therapist and seemingly getting nowhere, she recommended him to TCF.  He was willing to try anything at this point as he felt he was literally losing his mind.   At the very first TCF meeting, he was both relieved and shocked, seeing all of those other families who had lost children and knowing he was not alone. 

That first TCF meeting was the true beginning of his healing process and has brought him to the point of being able to work with TCF to give back.  Being a part of The Compassionate Friends has given Ghakarhi an additional purpose in life and makes him feel that he is doing something that would make Michael proud of his dad.
 
 

Sibling Speaker - Denise Hoegler

Denise Hoegler is one of the co-leaders of the TCF Atlanta Sibling Group. She lost her brother, David, in December 2003 in a car accident. He was just 1 ½ years younger than her and was two days shy of his 23rd birthday. This sudden and unexpected loss was devastating for her and her family, as they have always been very close. Their lives were changed forever in an instant. David was Denise's past but was also supposed to always be by her side in the present and future as they each experienced their own milestones in life. 

Denise began attending TCF meetings about 3 years into her grief journey when she realized how much she needed an outlet for all of the emotions that come with grief. She found much healing and encouragement through TCF and found it extremely comforting to be surrounded by people who truly understood what she was thinking and feeling. Siblings have a unique grief journey as the "forgotten mourners" who are expected to be strong for everyone else around them but whose own grief is often overlooked. 

Denise became one of the co-leaders of the sibling group in 2010 so that she could use her experiences to help others on their own journeys. As her grief has unfolded and evolved over time she has learned to better appreciate life and those she surrounds herself with, and she has learned to incorporate her brother into different areas of her life. David remains in her heart and memories forever. 
 
 

 

Remembrance Candles/Poinsettias 

We are offering a beautiful remembrance candle this year. 

$30.00 each

Remembrance Candles are from "CarvedByHeart"

Personalized Candle with Photo and Wooden Carved Stand
 

Candle with Child's Name on both wooden stand and ribbon
 
 

Candle with Butterflies on ribbon instead of name

Perfect for lighting to let your loved one's light and memory shine! 

This order comes with:

1) 1 Personalized White Pillar Candle (unscented) decorated with white and purple ribbon and 
your loved one's name printed on a clear label which is pressed over the ribbon

2) 1 Keepsake charm (choose dragonfly or angel wings) and a little silver-painted wooden heart (located at the side of the candle by the name)

3) 1 Carved and personalized pine stand with your loved one's name carved and painted in dark brown

4) 1 Photo frame (silver color)
 
 

A second option is a live poinsettia.

 
 
 

Our Children - Siblings - Grandchildren Remembered
 
 

In Memory of Desha Beamer
 
 
 

In Memory of Kathleen Beamer 
 
 

In Memory of Charles O. "Charlie"  Bradford
 
 
 

In Memory of Michae Btembke
 
 

In Memory of Chris Conze
 
 

In Memory of Litsey Corona
 
 
 

In Memory of Clarissa Cunningham
 
 
 

In Memory of Jennifer Dailey
 
 
 

In Memory of Meseret Debru
 
 

In Memory of Jessica Dodge
 
 
 

In Memory of Caleb Michael Eanes
 
 

In Memory of Brayden Michael Eanes
 
 

In Memory of Kelly Victoria Eanes
 
 
 
 

In Memory of Shayla L. Eberhart
 
 

 

In Memory of Zara Yee Hawthorne
 
 
 

In Memory of Micki Henderson
 
 
 

In Memory of Gabriel Elijah Hinton
 
 
 

In Memory of Christopher Hobbs
 
 

In Memory of Ian Hobson
 
 

In Memory of David Hoegler
 
 

In Memory of Brendon Hope
 
 

 

In Memory of Derrick M. Kelly
 
 

 

In Memory of Reyvin Lowman
 
 

In Memory of Mandi Lynn Mast
 
 

 

In Memory of Clayton Royce Olvey
 
 

In Memory of Lynn Paschall
 
 
 

 

In Memory of Charles "Charlie" Pilgreen
 
 

In Memory of Steven Michael Price "Mike"

In Memory of William M. Price III "Trey"
 

 

In Memory of Michael Rogers
 
 

In Memory of Gladys Scott
 
 

 

In Memory of Dana Rogers Tancraitor
 
 

In Memory of Audrey Urda
 
 

In Memory of Clinton Ron Walker
 
 

In Memory of Jamie Nicole Walker
 
 

In Memory of Aaron Wilkins
 
 
 

To sponsor a centerpiece/poinsettia go to the following order form:

http://www.tcfatlanta.org/2014CandleOrderForm.doc

http://www.tcfatlanta.org/2014CandleOrderForm.pdf
 

Or order online at: 

http://www.tcfatlanta.org/centerpiecedonationdataform.html

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