Ember Days
From The Pastor’s Desk—
When I attended seminary at the Episcopal Divinity School, I was introduced to an old church tradition: Ember Days. Ember Days were minor feasts in the early and Medieval church, likely deriving from ancient agricultural celebrations. As such, an Ember Day occurs in each season: Pentecost (50 days after Easter), Holy Cross (mid-Septemer), St. Lucy’s Day (mid December), and Quadragesima (the first Sunday of Lent). The name “Ember” either derives from the Latin Quatuor tempora (4 times/seasons), or from the Old English ymbris, which means to remember. My Episcopal colleagues at EDS were required to send their Bishop a letter each Ember Day, to report on what the previous season of their ministry had been like.
During my 2024 performance review, members of the Pastor Staff Parish Relations committee were surprised when reading my self-assessment to find out how many ministry activities I was involved in outside of the church. They encouraged me to share that information more widely with the congregation, so I decided I would adapt the Ember Day tradition of reflecting on the season that was, and what is to come. Since Pentecost will be upon us soon, this seems an opportune time to begin this new practice.
In addition to all of the internal church activities, I am also active in several other ministerial groups. I serve on the new Barnstable Association (UCC) Leadership Team. The BALT is a merger of the former Barnstable Association Executive Committee (on which I served) and the former Committee on Ministry. Much of the work of the BALT this past year has been organizing and adopting this merger to streamline the function of Association Business. The formal vote was taken at the annual Spring Meeting (held this year in Centerville), which I attended with our delegates Gerry Nolin and Susan Eenigenburg. Gerry and Susan also accompanied me the following day to the Southeast Regional gathering (hosted by the church in Mattapoisett), which brought together the Barnstable, Pilgrim, Old Colony, and Rhode Island associations for a time of worship, fellowship, and learning. Additionally, I also attend meetings of the Nauset Interfaith Association (I will become their Vice-Chair in the Fall), the Outer Cape pastors group, and an online meeting of ministers from across the SNEUCC Southeast Region).
Within the community, I initiated several outward facing events. In April, we held our first “Epicurious Cafe” events, funded by a grant I wrote for the Wellfleet Cultural Council. These free events are an opportunity for members of our community to learn recipes and techniques from local chefs, as well as to enjoy a time of food and fellowship. Our first event was a class on the use of sourdough starter in making snacks, and more will follow in the Fall. In addition to this, I also hosted a screening of the documentary “The Power of Forgiveness” at the Wellfleet library, which brought in close to 50 attendees, with discussion following. I also led, along with Dr. Bob Stewart, the first of our Footprints nature and spirituality walks around the Herring River.
In future editions of our newsletter, this Ember Day message will appear as a separate piece from my usual article, and will include a little more detail about what I’m working on outside of our church building. I did want to end on one last note, and to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who volunteered for our Memorial Day breakfast. When I came to Wellfleet in 2023, I was surprised that there was no regular Memorial Day celebration in town; I later learned that the celebration had become another victim of Covid. Last year I worked with members of the local American Legion post to host a public commemoration in front of Town Hall. Such an event wasn’t possible this year, due to some key folks being unavailable. And while planning has already commenced for the 2026 event, I didn’t want the day to go by unmarked. So, I approached the Deacons with the idea of hosting a free breakfast. There was a great deal of enthusiasm and volunteers, and I am pleased to report that our breakfast this past Monday fed more than 65 people. Additionally, our volunteers are already making plans for next year’s breakfast.
I pray that events and efforts such as these will serve as a reminder of what we can do, both as a church and for our community, when we come together around common interests. To that end, I hope everyone will make an effort to join our MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES COFFEE following worship on June 8th. As the old Sunday School song taught us: “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.”
—Pastor Jon
