Services to be held for those having the seasonal blues

Two Oahu churches will hold “;Blue Christmas”; services for people who are experiencing grief, separation or illness as they face a holiday season where the accent is on celebration and joy.

The tradition of holding a quiet reflective service at the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, has been observed around the country for several years.

» St. Clement's Episcopal Church, 1515 Wilder Ave., will offer a candlelight service of readings, quiet music and silence at 5 p.m. tomorrow.

» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square, will be the scene of a 5:30 p.m. service Monday, December 21, open to those experiencing inner turmoil as well as people who seek a peaceful respite during the busy season.

Isle church choirs lend voices for holiday cheer this month

Christmas music is in the air at concerts set in Oahu churches this month.

» Windward United Church of Christ, 38 Kaneohe Bay Drive. The Windward Choral Society will present its annual free Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. today.

» Nuuanu Congregational Church, 2561 Pali Highway. The 9 a.m. service tomorrow will feature the chancel choir singing a Christmas cantata, “;The Best Gift of All,”; by Russell Mauldin.

» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square. The Oahu Choral Society will present a Christmas concert at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow featuring the Honolulu Symphony Chorus and Honolulu Chamber Choir. Tickets at $20 for adults and $10 for students, military and seniors will be available at the door.

» Unity Church of Hawaii, 3608 Diamond Head Circle. The annual free Holiday Concert will be at 7 p.m. Monday.

» Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. The Honolulu Boy Choir will present the “;Merriest Hawaiian Christmas”; in a free concert at 6:30 p.m. next Saturday. The Royal Hawaiian Band and the Endo Taiko Youth Group will also perform.

» Kawaiaha'o Church, 957 Punchbowl St. The annual Holiday Concert will be at 7 p.m. next Saturday. “;The Glow of Christmas”; will feature the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, Kawaiaha'o Church choirs and halau, Kawaiolaonapukanileo Vocal Ensemble and special guest singers.

» Wahiawa Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1313 California Ave. Combined choirs will present a Christmas cantata at 11 a.m. next Saturday.

» Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Honolulu Tabernacle, 1560 S. Beretania St. Free Christmas concerts will be presented at 7 p.m. next Saturday and Dec. 20 by the Honolulu Hawaii Stake.

» Chaminade University, Mystical Rose Oratory, 3140 Waialae Ave. The Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble will perform in Christmas concerts at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday and 4 p.m. Dec. 20. Tickets at $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors and military and $5 for students are available at the door or by calling 550-8457.

» Mount Kaala Baptist Church, 86-316 Puuhulu Place, Waianae. A Christmas program at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20 will feature “;Welcome to Our World,”; a Christmas cantata by Claire Cloninger and Robert Sterling.

» Olive United Methodist Church, 108 California Ave. Combined choirs will sing a Christmas cantata at 7 p.m. Dec. 20.

» St. Andrew's Cathedral, Queen Emma Square. The free Carol Concert at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20 will feature the cathedral choir and musicians with audience participation encouraged.

Damien's life to be discussed by award-winning local actor

Actor and professor Terence Knapp, whose performance as Father Damien De Veuster has won awards, will speak on “;The Life and Legacy of Father Damien”; Dec. 20 at Kaimuki Public Library.

The 2 p.m. lecture in the library's adult reading room will be free.

Knapp, a professor emeritus in theater at the University of Hawaii, is the recipient of several awards as an actor and director.

He is well known in Hawaii for his performance in “;Damien,”; a one-man play by Aldyth Morris. The play was filmed by Public Broadcasting System in Hawaii and shown nationally. It won the 1978 George Peabody award.