Your News: St. Brigit Episcopal Church to Celebrate Autumnal Equinox

Courtesy of St. Brigit Episcopal Church 

St. Brigit Episcopal Church will welcome Autumn with an Equinox Celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, at 7 p.m.

The Autumnal Equinox Service is part of St. Brigit's A'it Caol series, now in its fourth year. A'it Caol (pronounced atch qweel) is Gaelic for "A Thin Place." These services are created to offer guests an experience of God through a unique liturgy, which combines ancient tradition with contemporary language. They include specially designed meditation areas, reflecting the Scriptural lessons, and sacred music with an ethereal sound.

In keeping with the Celtic tradition of honoring the earth as God's creation, St. Brigit will celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, marking the transition between summer and winter. "Equinox" is a translation of the Latin word, aequinoctium, or "equal night." On this day, there are 12 hours each of daylight and darkness. The earth's axis is parallel to the Sun, so the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are illuminated equally. Sunrise occurs at 6 a.m. and sunset, at 6 p.m.

Ancient people marked this day with both thanksgiving for the harvest and prayers for protection during the approaching time of darkness and cold. St. Brigit will celebrate this bittersweet time by reflecting on God's abundant gifts of the harvest and God's continual command to share that harvest.

Older children are welcome at the service. Childcare will be provided for children under age six.

St. Brigit Episcopal Church is located at 110 Johnson St., Frederick. Visit www.stbrigit.org or www.facebook.com/StBrigit for more information.

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