Sundays in McMurdo are a wonderful time. Nobody works and rest and relaxation are highly encouraged. Activities for the day often include movies at the theater, open bowling, tours of the Discovery Hut and science lab, services at the chapel, evening science lectures and of course… a Sunday brunch of biblical proportions.

The Chapel of Snows, where I attend church weekly, has a beautiful sanctuary overlooking the sea ice and mountains far beyond. The pastor here turned out to be a Lutheran and by the grace of God alone, I have found myself singing old hymn favorites a capella in a small but warm church community. In exchange for sheep, penguins are depicted in various art pieces around the church... a worthy substitution.