Midsummer's Day (St. John's Day)
In Seasons and Rythms of Life, the editor notes, "Midsummer's Day (St. John's Day) fell on the day [June 23, 1978] the reunion group arrived in Kittilä, and often is celebrated as follows:

"At about 10:30, in gathering twilight," Paul [Renne] said, "we loaded the bus for a drive to [Levitunturi] - a high mountain, 531 meters above sea level [in Sirkka village, about 10 kilometers south of Köngäs village], to watch the sun rise.



"The sky was overcast, but the air was warm. We left the bus... and climbed the barren rocks to the lookout area. Located there was a cabin, wind- swept and lonely. For well over and hour we watched the sky grow brighter in spite of the clouds,

"and at approximately 12:15 A.M. the sun broke through the clouds at a point about 10-15 [degrees] above the horizon. The senses were assulted not only by the sun's location, but also by its gradual movement from west to east. We were literally looking over the top of the earth. The assembled group broke into singing including, Beautiful Savior.

"This song recalls many poignant memories, Paul said, and now added to them is "... this moment of great emotion." It was he said, "... an emotional high which will be hard to duplicate for its purity."

Continuing to write in his diary at 1:45 A.M. by the light of the midnight sun, Paul said, "I know I have forgotten events, but... I wont ever forget the sense of fellowship and acceptance. For example, everyone singing on the bus ride to Kittilä, some Finnish, some American. No restraint, no false sense of pride, just happy people at a happy reunion."