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 five 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.”\

Didn’t sponsor a luminary? There’s always next year

The luminary campaign begins in early October and ends the second Sunday of December, Melissa Rutledge said. You can find the form on the church’s Facebook page, DamascusUMChurches, email damascusluminaries@gmail.com or watch for information in the River Reporter, the media sponsor.

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.

This year, Rutledge reported, the goal to set a record for sponsorships was achieved. Given these inflationary times, as people continue to be careful with their money, the generosity was heart-warming.

“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. Visitors can hear the Community Cantata Choir and enjoy the service, which blends the traditional and the contemporary. “I have good faith the church bells will be ringing.”

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.”

Luminaries light up Christmas Eve at the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church.

Sponsors of the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church luminaries, 2022

The name(s) of those being honored are followed by the sponsors.

Theresa Balthaser—Harrison F. Balthaser

Donald C. Brown and Inez Gregg Nolan—Shirley Brown

Charles Brunner Sr. and Inez and Gilbert Marshall—Gail and Charles Brunner Jr.

In memory of loved ones—John and Karen Burlein

Russell D. Cooper, Mildred A. Cooper and Russell C. Cooper—William Cooper

Jeff Chorba, Ron Chorba, Mike Murray and Florence Southerton—Colleen Danelski

John C. Diehl, Ivan Swendsen, Ruth Svendsen, John S. Diehl, Marjorie Diehl, Hazel Hinaman and Alfred Swendsen—Judy Diehl

Barrett and Jankoski family—Fallsdale Farm

Pearle Turner, Pearle and Richard, Clarice Herrmann, Clarice and Rudy, Connie Fink, and Connie and Howard—John and Marcia Fink

John Diehl, Marjorie Diehl, John Fitzgerald, Helen Fitzgerald, Florence Price and Beulah Fortnam—Jack and Mary Fitzgerald

Amy Adams, Debbie Robbins, Shirley Ostrander, Ivan Houghtaling, Norma Galloway and David Galloway—John and Michele Galloway

Margaret Harsch and Edward Harsch—Eddie and Debbie Harsh

Theresa Balthaser—Balthaser family

Lester R. Hillriegel, Vernon Whitmore, Shirley Spaulding, Our Little Molly—Beverly Hillriegel

Edward Harsch, Margaret Harsch, Jake Hopkins, Thomas Lindley and Margaret Lindley—Holly Hopkins

Kevin Michael Kerber, Elvan K. Monington, Elizabeth M. Monington, Robert H. Kerber and Dottie I. Kerber—Larry and Shirley Kerber

DonnaLee Gregor and Tom Kane—Barbara Lewis

Rodney Smith, Harry Smith, Fred Lewis, Ralph Schweighofer, Ric Schweighofer, Margaret Schweighofer and Janet Barriger—Doris Lewis

Theresa Balthaser—Harrison D. Balthaser family

Stephen D. Long—Barbara A. Long

Jim Metzger, George Kellam, Bernie Kellam, Jack Riefler, Mary Riefler and Charlie Keesler—Metzger family

Ralph Schweighofer, Margaret Schweighofer, Ric Schweighofer, Janet Barriger, Rod Smith and John McDonnell—Alice McDonnell

Alan McKaig, Kathleen Heslin, David Clark, Christine Clark, Margie Craner and Vicki Young—Lois McKaig

Helen Gries Wilcox, Paul Gries, Jessica Lynn Milk, Kristina Adams and Cindy Adams—Ruby Milk

Margaret Harsch, Edward Harsch, Margaret Lindley, Thomas Lindley, Nelson Miller and Mary Miller—Roy and Peggy Miller

John C. Diehl, Anthony F. Modrovsky Sr., Ann Modrovsky, Andrew Modrovsky, John Diehl, Marjorie Diehl, Ivan Swendsen and Ruth Swendsen—Mike and Kim Modrovsky and family

Thelma Roe, Harold Myers, Darryl Chumard and Kelly Myers—Clarence Myers

Peter Fay, Richard McCormick, James Steelman, Samson Fluck and Mary Patzuk

Jessica, Jordan and Dylan Patzuk

Jim Carroll, Devin Ott, Danielle Reiss, Norlina Hook, Marvie Price and Margaret Harsch—Scott, Kelly, Kaitlin and Abigail Price

Margaret Branning and Allen Branning—Sally and Bob Roche

Ray Dexter and Nolua Dexter—Faye Rossi

William J. (Bill) Gager, Mavis Gager, J. William (Bill) Gager, Shirley Deighton, Raymond Deighton, Alice Rutledge, J. Mortimer Rutledge, Clara Meckle, Lewis Meckle, George Lahm, Peter Wilken and James Rutledge Sr.—Bruce, Melissa, Brea and Channing Rutledge

Theresa Balthaser—Balthaser Family

Chick Smith, Margaret Smith, Gordan Patterson and Barbara Patterson—Kendall Schwab

Joan Smith and Tina Augello—Katy Smith

Percy Tyler, David Tyler and Richard Jones—Joyce Stokes

Catherine Fagan—Dorothy Swick

Margaret Harsch, Edward Harsch, Elvin Swendsen, Mildred Turner, Benjamin Turner, Thomas Lindley, Margaret Lindley, Walter Swendsen and Hazel Swendsen—Diana and Brad Swendsen

Keith Swendsen, Shirley Swendsen, Walter Swendsen, Hazel Swendsen, Frank Swendsen and Gertie Swendsen—Vicki and Bob Wargo

Theresa Balthaser—Brian Balthaser

Dustin Crum, Ruth Tyler, Kenneth Welton, Evelyn Jones, Jack Crum and Chester Crum—Carol and Alan Welton

Gloria Wessman, Carl Wessman, Makenzie Bergen, Leona Buddenhagen and David Buddenhagen—Wessman Family

Richard Turner, Pearle Turner and Ron Hull—Bev and Howard Whitmore

Robert Wood, Donald Walter, Natalie Walter and Maude McShane—Kathleen Wood

In honor of:

Margery Gregor, Judy Trudgen and Nancy Wells—Barbara Lewis

Christina Smith, Ferne Keesler and Bob Keesler—Doris Lewis

Ferne Keesler, Bob Keesler and Chris Smith—Alice McDonnell

Judith Diehl and Lois McKaig—Mike and Kim Modrovsky and family

Jayden Baez—Clarence Myers

Dick Priebe, Mary Priebe and Doris J. Swendsen—Faye Rossi

William J. Smith—Katy Smith

Madalyn Hanson, Connie Gopel, Warren Brey, Eileen Brey and Cathy Gloor—Mark and Stephanie Tyler

Steve Knutsen—Kathleen Wood