Some of the special occasions marked as "fun" holidays on the calendar with which we've been working are admittedly esoteric and obscure...ones like "Play Your Ukulele Day" or "Lost Sock Memorial Day." Then there are days, like May 19th, which are front and center in our everyday life; Saturday is hailed as " May Ray Day"...for there is nothing more important or central in our universe than the sun!

While the origins of the day are unknown, I'm guessing the latter part of May was chosen because we're nearing the end of spring in the Northern Hemisphere when temperatures start rising and the anticipation of summer is all around us-in stores with summer fashion and farmers markets starting to show produce, summer flowers are already blooming, and our schools are filled with students getting ready for summer vacation. This is the best time to embrace the sunshine after a long winter or cool spring and before the Sun gets too hot...as we all know it will. So get outdoors and enjoy Saturday's solar pleasures!

Let's not forget this is a worldwide calendar, so folks in the Southern Hemisphere are also encouraged to enjoy the final days of autumn and grab some warm rays before the thermometer falls, the wardrobe thickens, and the darkness of winter arrives. Whether you're saying hello or goodbye to the warm rays of the sun this seems a good time to appreciate its vital role in both our physical and mental health.

I haven't yet attempted to overlay our church calendar onto this one, but I'll try anything once. It was just last week that we were "southern"...we bid farewell to the Son as Jesus ascended to heaven. He receded from our sight that day and left a promise that he would return...and that while he might not be apparent we could trust that he had not disappeared. And just a day after "May Ray Day" is Pentecost, when we welcome the fire, wind, and language of the Spirit. We turn" northern" and look forward to the next chapter in God's uplifting saga. And while thru science we understand that we encircle the sun, thru faith we realize that the Son really surrounds us with peace.

God's ray of hope for humanity means we can be comfortable with nature's cycle of growth and dormancy. When you are down, you can recall the sum of the past warmth...and when you are up you can welcome a new time of change and a bit of carefree joy. Whether all bundled up in working or dressed lightly and vacating it is the same Son's Spirit no matter the season.

So dress down, grab your hat and sunglasses on Saturday and celebrate the sun. Then dress up in red on Sunday and join the church in rejoicing in the life giving Spirit of God's Son. Be careful though, if you spend too much time outside you can damage your skin...that's why next week we'll take a look ahead to the Sunday following, which is designated " Son Screen Day." On the other hand you simply can't spend too much time in worship...it's there we remember Who saves both our skin and soul.

Whether you're springing forward or falling back, here's to being caught up in grace!

Pastor Brent,