All are welcome to this service known as the Service of the Longest Night. Some come because they are mourning the death of a loved one. Some are far from home. Some suffer from illness, addiction, or estrangement. Some are lonely, struggling financially, or in conflict with another. Some hurt because of the great pain, need, and violence in our nation and world. We gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good. God is strong. God is near. We are not alone.