Worldwide Candle Lighting: Sunday December 8, 2024
Held annually on the second Sunday in December, The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting(R) unites family and friends around the globe as they light candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light, hundreds of thousands of people commemorate and honor children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries.
News and Events
Our local 2024 WCL observance begins at 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm) at the Santa Cruz Quaker Meetinghouse, 225 Rooney Street. Please bring a photo or memento to share. Candles are provided; refreshments follow the ceremony.
At the TCF National website you can find info on Virtual Candle Lightings in each US time zone, the annual TCF Virtual Remembrance book, more details about our local event, and other chapters' Candle Lightings:
Newsletter (past issues)
The Santa Cruz Chapter of The Compassionate Friends produces an
occasional newsletter highlighting information on events, helpful articles,
and personal writings by chapter members. If you wish to be placed
on the newsletter electronic mailing list, please email us by clicking the
"contact us" button to the right.
We also welcome submissions of original writing,
and suggestions of material to include.
[*There have been gaps in publication, during periods when the volunteer
position of Newsletter Editor was vacant, and during the pandemic. Please
note that email contact information in older newsletters may be obsolete.]
Monthly Meetings
The Compassionate Friends of Santa Cruz meet in-person on the 2nd TUESDAY of each month (new day as of 6/2022), from 7:00 to approximately 8:30 p.m. Zoom meetings are on the 4th Monday of the month. Bereaved parents, grandparents, and adult siblings are welcome to all monthly meetings. Meetings are free of charge. Please
TCF of Santa Cruz Sibling Group
A special group exclusively for bereaved siblings. Adults and teens 14 and older welcome. Please see top for current info.
Donations are always welcome as we are entirely volunteer run and rely on contributions for covering our expenses.
IN PERSON CHAPTER MEETINGS ARE HAPPENING!!!
**Masks are optional**
Regular chapter meetings (bereaved parents, grandparents, and adult siblings)
are being held in-person the 2nd TUESDAY of each month from 7-8:30pm.
The remaining 2024 meeting is Dec 10; then Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11, Apr 8.
Location is the Quaker Meetinghouse, 225 Rooney Street, Santa Cruz.
Online chapter meetings will be held on Zoom in the months ahead on the
4th Monday of each month, 7-8:30pm. Please email for link.
TCF of Santa Cruz Sibling Group meetings, age 14+, are currently held online only. Bereaved siblings ages 18+ are welcome at regular chapter meetings; if two or more siblings are present, there can be a siblings-only breakout group!
Online Sibling Group Meetings will be held on Zoom the first Tuesday of the month: Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4, etc. from 7:00-8:30pm. Please email for link.
Note: we have some additional resources of online support available for bereaved siblings, via a New York City chapter TCF Siblings Group - please contact us for more information.
Family Potluck Dinner
currently paused
At some point in the hoped-for future, we will once again be hosting a potluck dinner in the Fellowship Hall of our regular meeting place (Santa Cruz Quaker Meetinghouse located at 225 Rooney Street in Santa Cruz). This is an opportunity to enjoy each other's company in a casual and unstructured setting. Friends and family (including small children) are welcome. Please bring a dish and/or beverage to share. We will provide plates, cutlery, napkins, cups and some drinks. Hope to see you there!
Social Nights
A time to get together for informal company and conversation, and sometimes an opportunity to participate in a grief/remembrance oriented activity. For details on listed activities or if you have an activity or speaker to suggest, please
These events are currently paused.
Links to past Newsletters
