‘Every Light a Prayer for Peace’ returns Dec. 4
As a member of the Russellville Cultura Garden Club, every year I look forward to our local “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” ceremony on the courthouse steps in downtown Russellville.
For me, it marks the true beginning of the season. It’s a time to slow down before December gets so busy. I love seeing people gather and taking time to reflect on peace, gratitude, and the service of those who protect our country and our community.
This ceremony recognizes military members, police officers, firefighters and other first responders. It also gives our young people a chance to participate through music from the school choirs, and the involvement of Russellville High School’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC).
Cultura Garden Club member Patricia Cox said the event is “a wonderful time for the community to come together and recognize our veterans, first responders and EMTs.”
She said the evening has become a kickoff to the Christmas season, especially with the parade and the lighting of the community Christmas tree later that night. She said the whole evening feels like “a Hallmark moment.”
Cox said the most touching part of the ceremony is always the end when “Taps” is played. She said it is a quiet, sobering moment every year.
She also enjoys hearing the school choirs sing “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” especially when the audience joins in. She said it reminds her of childhood evenings in downtown Russellville, when families gathered for Christmas drawings and shopping.
She said this ceremony carries that same feeling of community coming together with a message of peace and giving everyone “a chance to reflect.”
Club Vice President Debra Spillers has helped with the ceremony for about five years. She said she has handed out candles, given lighting directions, and shared the history of the tradition. She said the candles symbolize prayers for peace and gratitude for the men and women who have served the country.
Spillers said one of the most emotional moments of the evening is hearing “Taps,” which she said brings attention back to the sacrifices of service members. She also loves hearing the choirs sing “Let There Be Peace on Earth” while the crowd joins in. She said hearing voices from “the little kids all the way up to the older people” makes the message especially powerful.
She said she hopes the younger generation learns not only about service and sacrifice but also about the meaning of the songs they sing. She said many of the songs teach history, and she loves seeing parents and grandparents support the children during the ceremony.
Spillers said the tradition has lasted so long because the Garden Club has always had strong leadership committed to keeping it going. She said attendance has grown each year, even on cold and windy evenings. One of her favorite memories came last year when Madeline Cooper sang the national anthem. She said the audience’s reaction was very emotional.
She said the club honors anyone who has served in the military, the police force or the fire department and hopes more of them will attend this year, especially if the weather is nice.
“Every Light a Prayer for Peace” began in 1951 during the Korean War as a project of the Garden Club of Alabama. Communities across the state lit Christmas trees at the same time as a symbolic prayer for peace. The first gathering took place in Selma, and the tradition has continued in Alabama ever since.
This year’s ceremony will take place Dec. 4 at 4:15 p.m. on the Franklin County Courthouse steps. The community Christmas tree lighting will follow, and the Russellville City Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m.
Everyone is welcome. I hope to see you there.
