February 16, 2010

Emily Dickinson once wrote…

A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period.
When March is scarcely here
 
A color stands abroad
On solitary hills
That science cannot overtake,
But human nature feels…

Many of us have been talking about that light these last couple of weeks. It changed right around February 2 when the groundhog was seeing his shadow and predicting another 6 weeks of winter. February 1-2 is one of four “crossquarter” days of the year, and marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It’s not our imagination. The light really is different because of the changing angle of the earth relative to the sun.

Long before it was celebrated as Groundhog Day, February 2 was celebrated as Imbolc, which comes from a Gaelic word meaning ewe’s milk. This was the time of year in the British Isles, and elsewhere, when lambs were born, and whereas Groundhog Day for us marks the middle of winter, for the ancient earth-based Celtic people, Imbolc marked the beginning of spring, and with it, new life.

The goddess who is celebrated at Imbolc is Brighid — known to the Catholic Church as St. Bridget, who is the patron saint of poets, healers, and smiths. According to legend, St. Bridget was born at sunrise on the threshold of the house — in the doorway, in other words, neither inside, nor out. She, therefore, came to represent transition and new beginnings as well as protection for the home.

During the coming weeks, we look forward to our transition into our new Fellowship Building, which is nearly complete, and which is, I must say, absolutely stunning. As you’ll read elsewhere in the Belfry, we are waiting for National Grid to hook up power to the building before the final tasks can be completed. With luck, we’ll be able to move into the new building in March, but no matter when we can take occupancy, we will be blessed with a new, well-insulated, “green,” and beautiful building set in the “wilderness” of our own backyard. The views of the rock outcroppings and trees are spectacular from every room. The architectural and design team, the Building Committee, the contractors and builders, as well as all who have contributed financial gifts of whatever size — large or small - all deserve our immense gratitude for their care and attention to the “other wing” of our spiritual home.

For the last few years, it may have felt to some degree like we’ve been wandering together through the wilderness of fundraising and planning for this new phase of our lives. We’ve had to talk a lot more about money and building designs than most of us would have preferred. But now we stand on the other side of that desert, ready to start lives together anew in a new place. We have a lot to look forward to as we stand on the threshold of a new spring. We have a vibrant, committed, and caring community filled with generous souls and inspired, as ever, by the Spirit of Love.

In grateful anticipation and in the hope of spring soon to come,

Rev. Wendy