The first Carbon County candle lighting ceremony in 15 years in honor of Worldwide Children's Remembrance Day will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton.

Worldwide Children's Remembrance Day, the second Sunday in December, honors the memories of children who have died at any age and from any cause.Since 1997, a Worldwide Candle Lighting, believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, has created a 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone at 7 p.m. local time.The observance was initiated by The Compassionate Friends, an international bereaved parents organization, as a gift for families to remember the children who have died too soon, but will never be forgotten.The program will include reading, music, and the candle lighting, along with recognition of the children being remembered.Participants are invited to create and bring an ornament that honors their child to be placed on the remembrance Tree, to be displayed throughout the holiday season. Participants are encouraged to include a photo and/or the name(s) of the child/children being remembered on the ornament.Light refreshments and time for fellowship will follow the candle lighting service.The church is at Second and Iron streets. For more information, call (610) 377-6188.