When I became a postulant for the priesthood, my bishop reminded me that I would need to be in contact with him on Ember Days. “Do you want me to write a real letter?” I asked, miming a hand moving across paper. He laughed and replied that e-mail would work just fine.

I promptly went home and began researching everything I could about Ember Days and the letters that accompany them, since I wasn’t terribly sure what was expected of me. Clergy friends offered everything from “oh, it’s not that big a deal” to “yes, you should take this very seriously.” Okey-dokey, then. My favorite comment was the advice not to write a “having-a-good-time, wish-you-were-here, postcard-from-summer-camp kind of letter.” At least that began to give me the hint of a direction.

The Prayer Book, usually the first place I turn for the inside scoop, told me when Ember Days were (more on that below)…