Summer Solstice – Mr G's Ponderings

*Climbing Rose Felicity & Perpetua. Photographed by Alan Roden*

The photo was sent to me by my friend Alan Roden.
It is of a special rose named after the early Christian martyrs, Felicity and Perpetua who were put to death for their faith in
Jesus Christ, on March 7^th, 203AD

The Félicité-Perpétue, was developed in 1827 by Antoine A. Jacques was head gardener to the Duc d’Orleans, the future Louis-Philippe I, in Château de Neuilly. It is a sempervirens (everblooming) hybrid with a delicate primrose fragrance. It’s reported that Jacques named it after Saints Felicity and Perpetua, , when there was an unexpected birth of twins in his own family; and the newborns were given the saints’ names.
It was introduced into Britain in 1928 and, in 1993, it was given the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Alan told me that Three years ago I bought this climbing rose named after the two Saints and being inquisitive as always, researched them and was greatly moved. Alan told me,
“The rose now produces masses of flowers over an arch I made and transforms our garden for an all too brief time.”
It is often known as The Martyr’s Rose.

It is also a sign of Summer and it is blooming now to celebrate Midsummer Day.
Another friend, Vincent , has sent me this short but profound observation.

Photo: Alan Roden Text from Vincent Emms. Prayer from Gill Henwood.

*Photo of Red Screes, Lake District taken by Gill Henwood*

My dear friend Gill Henwood has sent me this to help us celebrate the Longest day or Summer Solstice. *

“Here’s a photo from yesterday evening of Red Screes, the fell between Ambleside and the Kirkstone Pass to Ullswater. The midsummer sun setting at its furthest NNW reach casts a shadow only seen for a few evenings, showing the steep face of the screes’ far side. On the saddle under the deep shadow lies the Kirkstone Inn – bathed in glorious sunlight all day but deepest shadow under the great fell.

It seems a parable of contrast – dazzling glory is heightened by deepest shadow. And the darkest shade has piercing light beyond.

It reminds me of a story that in a night time barn or hall, a huge space, it only takes one candle to give us light. God illuminates us in the Light of Christ, shining in the deepest dangers of our troubled world.”

[GH]

Dear God
Thank you for light and warmth.
Thank you for the sun.
Thank you for the gifts of nature and for the annual cycles and seasons.
Today, give us grace to see you as the Creator,
the One who lifts us to the light.

Amen

* A solstice is an event that occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21 and December 21.