Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The sun dips below the horizon at 4:46 p.m. this winter solstice evening, and rises again — 14 hours and nine minutes later — at 6:55 a.m. Thursday
For two local pastors, this “longest night” seems a fitting time to acknowledge that the holiday season is sometimes long and dark as well, and feelings of sadness, grief, and loss also deserve acknowledgement.
Vito Monteblanco, senior pastor of the Portales Church of the Nazarene, and Damon Stalvey, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Portales, are leading a joint service at 6 p.m. today at the Portales Church of the Nazarene, 823 W. University Drive, Portales, with exactly that in mind.
Officially dubbed “Blue Christmas,” the 30-45 minute service is open to all, and will also be livestreamed on the Portales Nazarene Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/portalesnaz
“Everybody is welcome,” Monteblanco said, “even if you’re not a Christian, even if you don’t believe in Christmas. There is no expectation to join either church.”
“This is not going to be a Sunday morning service,” Stalvey confirmed. “We are not passing the plate. They say, ‘It’s not the load … it’s how you carry it.’ We want to make a space to help carry that load for a little while.”
I met the two pastors for coffee last week. It’s clear they share an easy camaraderie as well as a passion for reaching out to those who may be struggling to put on a happy face for the holidays.
Both were previously involved in similar services.
Stalvey hosted an online version in 2020, and an in-person event last year, and Monteblanco was involved with a joint service last year in Lovington with the Methodist pastor there, who happens to be a mutual friend of Stalvey’s.
The isolation of Covid helped bring about a greater awareness of mental health, Stalvey noted, which was another reason for starting what they hope will become an annual tradition for the community.
While it will be possible to watch from the comfort of home, Stalvey encourages locals to come in person if they can for “the sense of community and support.”
“I understand the need at times to be alone, but we also need one another,” he said. “I need your grace and care at times and the reverse is also true. We belong to one another and are better when we are together.”
The brief service will include opportunities for response readings and lighting of candles, but “people can participate as much or as little as they want,” Stalvey said.
Monteblanco also added that those who attend are welcome to stay after for additional support.
“We will have folks there and available at the end if you need to pray with someone or talk with someone,” he said.
“This service speaks to me,” Stalvey said. “It’s OK to be sad and angry … our tradition has a space for that.”
“There may be joy in Christmas,” Monteblanco said, “but there is also sadness. Part of God’s peace – his shalom – is restoration of wholeness. God cares about and sees our complete wholeness — every part … not just physical but spiritual.”
On this darkest night of the year, Monteblanco and Stalvey hope to provide at least a brief time of peace and light.
Should you be looking, there will be room for you at this “inn” tonight.
Betty Williamson loves coffee and collaborations. Reach her at:
