What is a candle group?
How can I start one?

Each of us has many wishes and concerns in common with others.  Millions of people around the globe, for instance, long for peace.  When there is a disaster in any part of the world, people join together in prayerful support to restore hope.  On a smaller but still vitally important scale, you and your friends and family may on occasion hold a vigil for a loved one’s healing or to support someone who is dying.  Other times you may wish to gather together in celebration of a birthday, even when you can’t be in the same spot for a birthday party. 

Whenever you have a shared theme, you can start a candle group.  It’s easy!  First, make sure the group name you create is not being used already.   Click on the Search link at the top of the candles page.  Then where it says "Group Search," place up to five letters – words, abbreviations, or initials – which identify your group.  If the search does not come up with results, then you know you can use that name.

During the candle-lighting ritual, right after the opportunity to add words of dedication and your own initials, you will see this phrase:

To associate your candle with a candle group,
or to start a new group, enter a group initial,
otherwise, leave blank.

Into the box which follows, type your group name.  This I.D. will appear with your candle and with any others using the same I.D. Your group will remain visible on the site as long as at least one candle is lit with that group identity.  Each candle stays lit for 48 hours.  If all of your candles go out, you can use those same initials again and restart the group.

Through our Light a Candle Forum, Tell-A-Friend feature, regular email, or your own website, you can let others know about your group so that they, too, can light candles.  At any time, you can click Groups in the Candles menu to read information about all current groups. You can also type your own group's initials into Search on the Candles menu to see all the candles from your group together in one spot, just as your hearts are united around a single concern.

Finally, you can link to the candles with your own words of introduction using My Candle Links feature which provides a unique link for you. You can bookmark this link or post it on your website.

Please be aware that your group is open to the public and anyone may choose to light a candle there.

Thank you for joining with others to light candles
of peace, hope, and love.