SBEC Expects Summer Solstice Magic to Happen Again

—Norman Gregory, Building Steward

2500 years before the Common Era, Neolithic and Bronze Age People built Stonehenge so on the summer solstice the sun would rise between two specific stones and light the center of the structure. No one knows how they did the calculations but it clearly involved a huge amount of effort to make this work. 
Lacey Washington has its own solstice event that has remained a bit of an open secret among the congregation of St. Benedict Episcopal Parish.  When the church moved into their new building in 1987 all were impressed at their new house of worship.  One striking feature of the building was a large round window above the altar.  Looking at that window one parishioner felt that it needed something more so she took it upon herself to create a stained glass dove that to this day hangs in the center of the circle.
It wouldn’t have been until the first time that the sun shined through the window on the Sunday closest to the summer solstice that the annual “communion of the dove” would have been noticed at the 8 AM service.  Since this was clearly not planned, it may have even been missed that first year or seen as a one-off event but in any case the shadow of the dove joined the congregation in progressing down the center of the aisle for communion. Since then this bit of magic occurs every year on the Sunday closest to the solstice (as long as the clouds allow the sun to shine).
Now a number of the parishioners make it an annual event to watch on the special Sunday to see if the dove will join them for another year.
If you want to come and see a special solstice event yourself without having to travel further than 910 Bowker Street in Lacey then please join us for the 8 AM service on June 22nd and if the sun shines at the right moment we expect the magic to happen once again.