The other night, the assistant priest at the church where I've worshiped for 20 years came over to the house to host a teenage hero event for the youth group my son attends. I provided chili-- Dad's-- coleslaw, salad, and bread, and she provided the devotion.
As the hosting parent, I felt as if I should be in the background, so instead of sitting with them, I eavesdropped, and waited for the time to pick up my daughter from her dance class.
I don't remember much from the devotion, but I do remember that the priest mentioned Samhain, Celtic New Year, which is the origin of Hallowe'en and a time, during the transition between old and new, when there is a fracture in the fabric of things, and entities from the other world may pass into ours for a time.
Except that the priest pronounced it as it is spelled, Sam-hane, and as far as I know it is not pronounced that way. I thought it was pronounced Sow-een, but according to this site it is pronounced shavnah.
This does not surprise me from a language where the name Cuchalain is not pronounced Coo-chuh-lane but Cuh-hullen.
In previous years I may have gone up to the assistant priest afterwards and discussed the situation. I have always been a hands-on churchgoer. But this year I felt no pressing need. I have for various reasons moved on from that beloved place to a new beloved place, and with a new beloved. It is good to be worshipping with her there.
Last year at this time, I wrote "I'm optimistic, on this night when traditionally we move from one year to the next. I'm optimistic because we are also moving from one president to the next, and I do feel as if we have a chance to be better."
2009 has been better-- for me personally, for sure, and I hope for my readers and the nation. I know that we have a lot of challenges.
I have always struggled with pessimism, so I was a little surprised that I used that word optimism, especially in such a dark year. But my intuition must have been working that evening I posted.
Americans are optimistic people, and they tell optimistic stories. Apparently, according to Barbara Ehrenreich, we are too optimistic. But I'm okay with it. I'm getting better at accepting optimism. I think my faith suggests it. I'm ready to try something new.
In my house I have an icon of Saint John Chrysostom, the patron saint of teachers and preachers. He is a companion on the way, a daily reminder of my need and privilege to accept from and give love to the saints of God-- human beings around me, about me, behind me, and ahead of me, who are made in God's image. John is an icon of optimism, just as All Saint's Day, November 1, is a Christian response to the uncertainty and anxiety of transitions.
May this morning find us optimistic and with the saints we love.
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