June 20, 2011

Summer Church?

Tomorrow is the summer solstice: The longest day of the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, far from the equator.

Living in a part of the world where the length of the day is directly impacted by the sun’s journey around the earth (as contrasted with people living at or nearer the equator for whom day and night remain a constant 12 hours each regardless of the date), I’m drawn to spend more time outside as the day’s lengthen and the temperature warms.

As I linger on my patio listening for the five cannon shots signaling sundown, I recall the childhood joy of being outside playing after supper in the late spring and summer, going home only after hearing Mrs. Manghis’ porch bell signally that it was time for Charlie and Georgie to come in.

For me, summer means a relaxation of routine. Even though I no longer have school age children, the September to June academic calendar sets a rhythm to my life, just as much as the rotation of the earth around the sun. I find myself rising earlier, eager to get my ‘must do’s’ out of the way so that I can spend time in the garden, on my bike, or walking along the beach.

Summer’s also a time that many take a break from church. In recognition of this seasonal phenomenon, Tim Schenck, priest at St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, Mass, recently offered Top Ten Reasons NOT to Go to Church This Summer. If your vestry is looking for a light hearted way to let the congregation know that church DOES happen in summer, I encourage you to consider sharing Tim’s blog.