HELLO!

14 years ago, today Kim and I were celebrating our 20^th wedding anniversary in Ireland. Apart from our two weeks in China, to meet our child for the first time, we have never traveled anywhere apart from the US and Canada. Kim made it clear she wanted to spend this anniversary in the UK, Scotland or Ireland. I could choose. I picked Ireland, my Little-kin came to Halifax in 1842 (I have no interest in genealogy, a friend looked this up for me as a thank you gift). We had no idea where to go or what to do, so…I wrote a column in the Halifax Herald, explained our planned trip and asked for advice. The emails poured in, and strangely the place most recommended as a destination was Doolin (west coast). Of course we would see Dublin, it’s where we landed. But Kim also wanted to see the countryside. A couple who attended the church I served then, were married the same day as us, they wondered if they could travel with us.

Jeff, Lynn, Kim and I spent 10 days in Doolin, Jeff loved to drive, so they rented a car, and we saw a lot of the west coast (and Dublin). One highlight was St. John's Eve (June 23^rd), standing outside a pub, watching locals pile old broken furniture and stuffed animals as high as you can imagine, in a nearby ditch. The pub put loudspeakers outside, played popular music (all with the word fire in the title). As we turned our heads to the countryside, we could see bonfires in every community. Kim and I looked up the annual ritual, there were versions, all focused on how Christ’s life came into the world to shine love, John the Baptist (his cousin and baptizer) being part of the announcement. Like many Christian practices in Ireland, the pagan traditions of summer solstice mixed with the traditional stories of Jesus’ birth, mission, death and resurrection to produce events like this, people of all ages, united in their efforts to bring joy to a June evening, in the spirit of community.

It would neither be safe, nor prudent, for churches to pile their belongings, no longer used, of no historical value, and make a bonfire for near by communities to gather and celebrate. I confess, there a part of me that secretly wishes this could happen. But I know better. I often wonder what kind of community celebration local churches could offer that would bring young and old, together for an evening such as this.

Tonight, Kim and I will remember this surprising and joy-filled evening. I have two Guiness beverages in the fridge. Cheers to you. May fires of joy burn in your hearts, your neghbour’s hearts, and may they create bright lights for all to see, albeit without the danger of real fire. Peace, Kevin