Looking to the Light

Dear Saints,

Happy Groundhog’s Day! You may have seen that Punxsatawney Phil did not see his shadow. As the tradition goes, this means an early spring. Groundhog’s Day actually has its roots in the Christian tradition of Candlemas, which is also on February 2. As the saying goes, “If Candlemas be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight; If Candlemas be shower and rain, Winter is gone and will not come again.”

Both Candlemas and Groundhog's Day have even older roots in the Celtic festival marking the midpoint of the season when the sun is halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. But what all of these traditions have in common is celebrating the return of light and the promise of spring — something we can get excited about indeed!

This Sunday we will celebrate Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, which commemorates when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the Temple. Simeon and Anna are overjoyed to greet the Messiah, having waited their whole lives for this moment. The Song of Simeon, which we offer at Evening Prayer, is Simeon’s response to greeting the Christ Child. On this feast day, the candles of the church are blessed. We will also be sending people with blessed candles to take home and an Order for Compline, an evening prayer that includes the Song of Simeon.

After the 10:15am service, we will have our Newcomer Presentation & Building Tour. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

This weekend is also the Crab Feast! Thank you so much Sonja, Steve and all of our volunteers who are bringing the pieces together for this fabulous event.

And be sure to check out progress that’s been made this last week on the Pantry build. Concrete is being poured today.

There are many instances of light, and even some sun breaks, for us to look forward to this weekend!

In peace,

Andria+

Photo by Steve Wrzeszczynski on Unsplash