Druid Ancestry my Christian Faith and Life During an Pandemic

During this time way from our parish communities, it was encouraged by out Education Ministers to construct a family altar at home-- a place set apart to " center" us and remind us that our loving Creator God is still near-- even when that God seems very far away.

  I constructed an altar in our Pensacola home shortly after we moved here. During the nearly three years that we've resided in Cute Cottage, the altar has undergone many transformations. While the center of the altar always has been a Christian empty cross over time other elements of my rich albeit confusing { to most people} religious and cultural heritage.

  After the shooter murdered those 11 people in my home city of Pittsburgh in 2018, I placed the family menorah on the altar near the cross. As an American Christian from Pittsburgh will deep Ashkenazi Jewish roots in that city the synagogue shooting has forever changed me For months fter the tragedy, I was angry-- and struggled with coming to terms with the God I'd come to know through God's Son Jesus and the horrific murder of some of my mother's people

When my parents returned from their extended trip to Ireland and Scotland , they gifted me with a St Brigid's cross from Kildare. I waited until a friend found just the perfect shadow box to display this delicate treasure on my altar.... and it has remain the centerpiece for several months.  I'm fascinated by the storied-- legends really-- that surround Brigid of Kildare. Furthermore , I identify with her on many levels-- one of being born of interfaith parentage.

  Ever since I was old enough to remember innate heart knowledge , I've felt closest to God The Creator Of The Universe when I am outdoors in Nature. My childhood was spent in the northern Appalachian foothills of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio and even before I knew about Jesus, I knew that a Creator made all the plants and creatures-- the very soil-- among whom I played. From my Irish-American father I inherited a deep appreciation for Creation and a desire to keep it safe and healthy.  I understood that the mountains, creeks, tress, shrubs , and rocks that were my childhood playground were old, part of one of the oldest mountain chains on Earth.

  Here on Florida's Gulf Coast, I feel the same connected to Creator God when I walk in the soft, white quartz sand that lines our portion of the Gulf Of Mexico. As a matter of fact, my longing for connecting to the salt water and sand has forced me to get more creative to show my reverence for Creation during this pandemic. I keep some fresh blooming plants  { some store bought and others gathered from my neighborhood and yard.  Additionally, I placed some shells { various species} that I'd picked up over various walks on the Gulf.  In this way, I have the woods and the Gulf present with me on my altar.

  There are TWO candles on the altar. The white one is the Christ candle and I light it before joining my community in online corporate prayer/ Sunday worship. The other candle represents the fire that burns at St Brigid's hearth. Our cottage does not have such a hearth, so I created one using a special plate that was given to me as a gift from one of my Education For Ministry mentors. I have ashes there that represent the fire in all our hearts and the eternal Light of Christ.

 To some my rich faith heritage may seem odd, even blasphemous.  But I am blessed with several anam cara , or " soul friends" who walk alongside me on this wonderful, deep, multi-faceted Christian faith.

 To anam cara  everywhere, I give thanks today for you.

Peace,

Sarah