Pop-Up Candlemas Celebration
January 31 and February 2, 2026 at Procter Center
All are invited to come and celebrate Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, through a series of multi-cultural events at Procter Center.
On Saturday, January 31st, Xandra Sharpe (chef and kitchen manager at Procter) and the Rev. Gerardo Romo Garcia (missioner for Latino ministries) will lead a free tamale making workshop from 3-5 pm.
Then on Monday, February 2nd (the Feast of Candlemas!) spend an evening at Procter, enjoying an international Candlemas Dinner at 6 pm. For $10, we’ll feast together on tamales from Mexico, crepes from France, and more! We’ll also have the opportunity to share together some Candlemas craft activities.
After dinner, join us for SING! Candlelit Holden Evening Prayer, Blessing of the Candles, and a Winter Hymn Sing led by Nathan Greer (co-executive director at Procter Center) and Stephen Sollars (organist at St. John’s, Worthington). There’s no cost to join our service and hymn sing!
Overnight accommodations are available for the evening of Feb. 2 for an additional cost.
What is Candlemas?
Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, is a Christian feast day that honors and remembers the presentation of Jesus at the Temple by Joseph and Mary. It is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22-40.
On Candlemas, many Christians (especially Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, and some mainline Protestant denominations including Lutherans, and Methodists) also take their candles to their local church, where they are blessed and then used for the rest of the year for special and holy occassions in the home; for Christians, these blessed candles serve as reminder of the divinity and presense of Jesus who is referred to as the Light of the World by Simeon.
Candlemas is celebrated in variety of ways around the world. In Germany, Candlemas is considered the beginning of the farmers year. In Mexico, tamales are the traditional meal for large family gatherings after the church service, and in France, crepes are eaten—their round golden shape representing the sun and the hope of the longer days ahead. In Belgium, all the candles in a house are to be lit, and a clear night sky foretells a good year for beekeepers.
DATE & LOCATION
Saturday, January 31
3-5 pm Tamale making workshop (Free)
Monday, February 2
6 pm Dinner and crafts ($10)
7 pm Evening Prayer, Candle Blessing, and Hymn Sing (Free)
Procter Center
11235 St. Rt. 38 SE
London, OH 43140
proctercenter.org
REGISTRATION
Invitees: Everyone! All minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration Deadline: January 28
Cost: Dinner costs $10. All other activities are no-cost.
