Harford Church announces community plans at tree lighting

Colored ribbons were placed on the Christmas tree at Harford Congregational Church by local organizations to signify unity in the “Light Against Darkness: Hope For All” tree lighting ceremony held Sunday. PHOTO COURTESY BONNIE LOVE-COLWELL

PHOTO COURTESY BONNIE LOVE-COLWELL

Harford Congregational Church rallied against hardships in the community and nation with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony that brought together community leaders and organizations for the first-time event called “Light Against Darkness: Hope For All.”
The ceremony identified rising opioid use, violence, domestic and sexual abuse and the church lifted those affected in prayer.
Each organization placed different colored ribbons on the tree to symbolize unity and what the community can do when it comes together.
The event kicked off with Christmas caroling held prior to the tree lighting and also featured games for the kids, fire pits, and food.
Harford Congregational Pastor William Hagenbuch, MDiv, said is his passion to build a center for the community itself, and this event kicked off the vision required to do such work. A lifelong member of the church before he became its minister 10 years ago, Hagenbuch, said two families have already contributed financially to a building project on the church property for that purpose.
“A thirty-something year-old dad of two once told me that ‘organized religion doesn’t work for me.’ To this I say, ‘Organized religion doesn’t work for him because he has yet to see organized religion work,’ Hagenbuch said, adding he thought the ceremony’s significance could start to change that feeling.
One week prior to the tree lighting, Hagenbuch suddenly lost his 21-year-old nephew to overdose. The funeral was held the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, with the burial the following day.
Hagenbuch said, “I realize with this tremendous loss that when we tremendously rally, like so many will do tonight, that we all have so much to gain. The town of Harford and the surrounding communities have been hard hit. We need a safe, loving, and open-to-all place to gather, heal, bond, and move forward. My nephew Adam would love this, and the congregation I serve is proactive as well as reactive. This future hub is not just for young people; it is for everyone.”