I am the Activities Chair for this year's Relay (I'm a rookie!) and it was suggested to have a Sunrise Service. Thing is I have no clue what is involved in such an activity. Please help me out by informing me what actually goes on at a Sunrise Service and some ideas as to how to set one up.

 Thank you.


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November 5, 2007 - 3:38pm
Sunrise Service

We have done a Sunrise service for three years now and it is very popular.  We do a short inspirational reading, acapella hymns, and a reading from the bible by a local minister.  We keep the service to 15 - 20 minutes.  Attendance has increased each year we have incorporated this service into our Relay.

Our problem is that with the exception of one or two ministers, the local ministerium has discouraged their parishioners from participating in our local Relay because we have changed our time from 4:00PM Friday - 4:00 PM Saturday to 10:00 AM Saturday - 10:00 AM Sunday.  Since most other Relays are Saturday to Sunday events, we are wondering how local churches responded and what we can do to improve our situation.


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Turn on, tune in, and work for the greater good.  Together we can accomplish so much more than we would alone.



January 4, 2009 - 11:59am
Sunrise Problems

Well, I only used the Sunrise Service last year, and we only did so BECAUSE people would be missing church. Perhaps if you inform your ministerium that you are doing such a service to keep religion involved (even minorly), and remind them that it is for a great cause, perhaps they would reconsider such selfish demands of their parishioners. Another option could be to "round up" those against the Relay due to its scheduling and ask any of them to give the service. Perhaps you could have the service prior to them having to perform their Sunday-morning duties (around 7 or 6am perhaps), or having someone who isn't "working" that particular Sunday (my priests "switch out").

All in all, the ministerium should be looking out for the betterment of their parishioners, and perhaps they need a reminder that Relay For Life - even if it is on a Sunday morning - IS for the betterment of not only their parishioners, but for all humanity. With some humbling they my be inclined to revoke their discouraging remarks. 

Please let me know if there is any improvement on your front. 



March 19, 2009 - 12:56pm
We are doing this for the

We are doing this for the first time ever this year.  I've asked a local clergy to do a non-denominational service about Hope.  He is taking it from there.  I think we may also have someone read the poem "what cancer can't do".  Our Relay is next week....I'll let you know how is goes.



May 11, 2008 - 1:16pm
sunrise services

Several Relays in this area do a Sunrise Service. A local clergy or team of clergy normally host this activity. We stress that it is non-denomination. anyone may attend and is no more than 20 minutes long. Singing, the cancer prayer and a message of Hope is about all that is involved. Relayers are asked to bring a camp chair or at one Relay they do use the bleachers.



November 5, 2007 - 4:26pm