gather: St. Dunstan

Skillet supper, tractor lessons, and honing our crafts

Great Dunstan, our founder and Saint,
Was a bold and true man every inch,
An artisan skilful and quaint,
And at logic made every one flinch.

John Hughes recorded in Thomas Ingoldsby’s Legends, Or Mirth and Marvels (1835)

For the past few years, I’ve hosted a Liturgical Life group. We’re a diverse gathering - of all ages, from a variety of denominations, learning alongside each other and working to graft the traditions of the liturgical calendar into our own varied circumstances.

I can’t get over the beautiful weather we’ve gotten to enjoy for our liturgical gatherings this spring; last year, it seemed that every day we had scheduled for a celebration was rainy and chilly (which does bring a certain charm, and pivoting from a plan always invites some spontaneous fun!)

St. Dunstan, as the story goes, / Once pull'd the devil by the nose

After lots of rain predictions, the clouds parted and we gathered to celebrate St. Dunstan on a sunny evening in the meadow here on the farm. We had long-time members with us, as well as new friends - and it was such a glorious way to learn and grow with each other.

Here’s a peek at our sunny St. Dunstan feast, with a skillet supper, ploughing demonstration, tractor driving lessons, and more!