DAMASCUS, PA — The night of the luminaries was almost magical. You turned your headlights off and drove carefully down Route 371. The flickering lights guided you along, dimly illuminating other cars, other people, all making the same pilgrimage.
The snow sparkled in the light. If you pulled over and stepped out of your car, the darkness wrapped around you and the evening was near-silent, just the purr of soft car motors murmuring in the stillness as the vehicles rolled by.
This was Christmas Eve in Damascus, lit by tea lights and candles, reminding all that the evening was about far more than last-minute shopping.
“For years, thousands of luminaries lined Route 371, side roads and driveways,” said Melissa Rutledge, a member of the Damascus Manor United Methodist church.
But it can be a big undertaking. Organizing volunteers, organizing the bags or milk jugs or other containers for the lights, arranging the luminaries. At the end of the evening, people pick them up and store them for next year.
“As those who began this project aged, moved away or passed away, the project stopped,” she said.
But six years ago, Rutledge and other volunteers took on the job of bringing the beloved tradition back.
The luminaries aren’t just about Christmas. They remind us of those lost, those we have loved, and people we want to honor, she said.
She’d been developing fundraisers at the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church, “and wanted to do something meaningful for the community that I grew up in,” she said. “This seemed like the perfect way to do just that, as so many beloved members of our community were passing away.”
So she contacted some of the original organizers, “received some valuable knowledge, and the fundraiser was in motion.”
And now the lights also symbolize the dedication of the volunteers who make the evening special. “I have a great group who help set them out and collect them on Christmas Eve. Each year we add more,” Rutledge said. “Luckily, the Unity Grange in Galilee provides storage space for our growing collection.”
Sponsorships not only help fund the luminaries, but they contribute to the church’s work: mission, outreach, the pastor’s discretionary fund and local organizations that need a boost to continue their community service, Rutledge said. “We are a church family who strives to be present in and for our community.”
She asked that on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, starting around 3 p.m., people drive cautiously near the church. Volunteers will be setting out the luminaries.
And should inclement weather prevent the volunteers from setting the lights out on Christmas Eve, the date will be moved to New Year’s Eve.
Hopefully the weather will be just right. “What better way to light up Christmas Eve as you make your way to area churches?” she said.
The lights lead to the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church, where a Christmas Eve service will be held, beginning at 7 p.m.
The light of the luminaries helps us remember those lost. And more:
“Come join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior,” Rutledge said. “After all, he is the reason for Christmas.”
The Damascus Manor United Methodist Church is located at 1721 Cochecton Tpk. (PA Route 371). For more information, visit the church on Facebook at Damascus Manor United Methodist Church.

Sponsors of the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church luminaries, 2023

The sponsor’s name appears first, followed by that of the person being remembered or honored.

In memory of:

Shirley Brown—Donald C. Brown and Inez Gregg Nolan
Gail and Charles Brunner Jr.—Charles Brunner Sr., Gilbert Marshall and Inez Marshall
John and Karen Burlein—Loved ones
Christ Community Church of Abrahamsville—Barbara Brown
William Cooper—Russell D. Cooper, Mildred A. Cooper, Russell C. Cooper and Elliot Nierman
Colleen Danelski—Stacie O’Connell
Edna Davis—Catherine Welling, Lynn family and Janet Barriger
Edna and Mel Davis—David family
Linda and Jeff Dexter—Bill Burden, Janice Burden, Bob Dexter and Helen Dexter
Judy Diehl—John C. Diehl, Ivan Swendsen, Ruth Swendsen, Hazel Hinaman, John S. Diehl, Alfred Swendsen and Marjorie Diehl
Bonny Dubson—Don Diehl, Juanita Diehl and Ira Dubson
Jack and Mary Fitzgerald—John Fitzgerald, Helen Fitzgerald, John S. Diehl and Marjorie Diehl
John and Michele Galloway—David Galloway, Shirley Ostrander and Ivan Houghtaling
Beverly Hillriegel—Lester Hillriegel, Orville Whitmore, Elva Whitmore, Vernon Whitmore and Shirley Spaulding
Larry and Shirley Kerber—Kevin M. Kerber, Robert H. Kerber, Dottie I. Kerber, Elvan K. Monington, Elizabeth M. Monington and Eddie Sykes
Dave Kresge Family—Abe Keesler, Beryl Keesler, George Keesler and Mary Keesler Solinoda
LeStrange Family—Evelyn Jones, Richard Jones, Thomas LeStrange, Anthony Resti, Linda Jones, Monica Goble and Virgil Goble
Doris Lewis—Harry Smith, Rodney Smith and Fred Lewis
Josephine Litzenbauer—James Litzenbauer
Barbara Long—Steve Long and family loved ones
Alice McDonnell—John M. McDonnell, Frederick (Ric) Schweighofer, Ralph Schweighofer, Margaret Schweighofer and Ruth Budd Schweighofer
Lois McKaig—Alan McKaig, Kathleen Heslin, David Clark, Christine Clark and Vicki Young
Amy Miduski—Ray Derman Jr.
Metzger family—Jim Metzger, Peter Metzger, Gladys Metzger, Jack Metzger, Debbie Schick, George Kellam, Bernie Kellam, Lloyd Eldred Jr., Randy Eldred, Weston Eldred, Charles Keesler, Walt Fischer, Lillian Fischer, Jack Riefler and Mary Riefler
Peggy and Roy Miller—Edward Harsch, Margaret Harsch, Thomas Lindley, Margaret Lindley, Nelson Miller, Mary Miller and Jake Hopkins
Mike and Kim Modrovsky family—John C. Diehl, Anthony F. Modrovsky, Anna Modrovsky and Andrew Modrovsky
Clarence Myers—Harold Myers, Thelma Myers and Kelly Myers
Bob Roche—Olga Roche and Thomas Roche
Sally Roche—Margaret Branning and Allen Branning
Mary Roeder—Gloria Wessman
Mary and Hal Roeder—Leona Buddenhagen, Carlys Baker, Travis Canfield and Rod Smith
Bruce, Melissa, Brea and Channing Rutledge—William (Bill) Gager, Sally Hawley, Karen Mills, Diann Welsh and Loved Ones
DJ and Amy Rutledge family—Arlene Ericson
Dan and Jen Rutledge family—Duane J. Gillette, Ernie Rutledge and Marie Martin
Julie Rutledge—Alice Rutledge, Ernest Rutledge, Andee Kraft and Travis Canfield
Beth and Matt Salzameda—Dorothy Pachuta, Donald Diehl, Juanita Diehl and Ira Dubson
Kendall and Bill Schwab family—Chick Smith, Margaret Smith, Marjorie G. Schwab, Penny (Schwab) Jones and Otto J. Whitmore
Skinner family—Robert Skinner, Ronald Benson, Barbara Brown and Michael Luscomb
Katy Smith—Joan Smith and Tina Augello
Kevin Smith—Chick Smith, Margaret Smith, Richard Van De Linde and Margaret Van De Linde
Joyce Stokes and Carol Welton—Ruth Tyler, Percy Tyler, Evelyn Jones and Richard Jones
Diana and Brad Swendsen—Margaret Harsch, Edward Harsch, Elvin Swendsen, Mildred Turner, Ben Turner, Hazel Swendsen, Walter Swendsen and Jake Hopkins
Dorothy Swick—Catherine Fagan, Andrew Juszynski and Blanche Juszynski
Marge Timozek—Robert Timozek
Mark and Stephanie Tyler—Beverly Dailey, Connie Gopel and Nancy Grant
Bob and Vicky Wargo—Keith Swendsen, Shirley Swendsen, Walter Swendsen, Hazel Swendsen, Ivan Swendsen and Ruth Swendsen
Carol and Alan Welton—Dustin Crum and Chester Crum
Kathleen Wood—Rev. Donald Walter, Natalie Walter, Maude McShane and Robert Wood

In honor of:

Linda and Jeff Dexter—Taiylor Cristman, Connor Cristman, Coy Cristman and Austin Dexter
Judy Diehl—Lois McKaig
John and Michele Galloway—Lola Crown
Doris Lewis—Christina Smith
Mike and Kim Modrovsky family—Judith S. Diehl, Lois McKaig, Mary Fitzgerald and Doris J. Swendsen
Anita Orlow—Loved ones near and far
Dan Rutledge and family—Mary Fitzgerald
Jen Rutledge and family—Nellie Nichols
Dan and Jen Rutledge—Julie Ann Rutledge
Katy Smith—William J. Smith
Kathleen Wood—Steven Knutsen