the end of midsummer: the feasts of sts. peter and paul

there are many wonderful ways the church--the kirk, if ye be a bit scots--embodies the gospel.

in celtic lands, especially, the feast of sts peter and paul marks the end of midsummer and the beginning of a time of fast leading up to the transfiguration.

in cornwall, there are bonfires. (the best i could do was to go to cornwall beach and put candles in the sand.)

at st. paul's, bellingham, today we are kirkin the tartans. this event is not tied to any particular time of year, but i am particularly happy that it is happening today at st. paul's, especially when the new calendar makes this not just the feast of st. peter but also of peter and paul, the holy apostles.

the collect for the day in the 1979 book fo common prayer is

"almighty god, whose blessed apostles peter and paul glorified
you by their martyrdom: grant that your church, instructed by
their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your
spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which
is jesus christ our lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the
unity of the holy spirit, one god, now and for ever. amen."

i especially like the "knitting" image, echoing the collect for all saints day. the tartans of the scots were very much the work of human hands, died with the plants from local gardens. this event is a wonderful expression of the incarnation that makes salvation possible.

the kirkin o' the tartans is also a reminder that the church is more than just us now. it is "the blessed company of all faithful people." we join therefore not only with those of us who will gather in elizabeth park, but with those who have walked before us and those yet to be born.

i hope we sing st. patrick's breastplate.