Honouring a Creation Activist and Mystic

 

I've written about Father Charles Brandt a couple of times in the past, as recently as 2018. Father Charles was ordained a hermit many years ago and took up residence on the Oyster River, which is up the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Comox Valley.  While he moved  there for solitude and to make a living as a rare book restorer, he discovered that the river had been seriously degraded and fish stocks had declined because of logging upstream. He began an organization of residents which began working with the forestry company to change its practices, and together they restocked the river with salmon. 

I sought out Father Charles while on Vancouver Island for a United Church conference perhaps 25 years ago. He was featured in an episode of the CBC television program Man Alive and they provided contact information. He graciously welcomed me to his little abode which has its own chapel. He showed me his workshop and shared smoked salmon and wine -- very genteel!I thought he was rather old then, although he was in his early 70's (he's still alive at 97). While he still lives on his 27 treed acres he has established a conservation trust to ensure protection for the property when he's gone.

I admire Father Brandt as a Creation activist and mystic, an inspiration both then and through the years for my own commitment to the Earth which God has brought into being. 

I was delighted to see that Father Brandt has been honoured with a lifetime achievement Nature Inspiration award from the Canadian Nature Museum. In response to the news of the award Father Charles wrote, “With Thomas Berry I can only say that the human community and the natural world must go into the future as a single sacred community. This is a step in that direction. Thank you.” 

Berry was an eco-theologian, or "geologian" as he described himself. 

Thank you Father Brandt for your witness through the years. The award is well-deserved. 

https://www.hakaimagazine.com/features/the-oracle-of-oyster-river/

Rivers of Life

 

Yesterday morning I led worship at Trenton United Church and used the theme of Watershed Disciples as part of the liturgical mini-season called Creation Time. I spoke about Canada as a sort of giant sponge, blessed with abundant fresh water in many watersheds across the country. The Trent River watershed is the largest in Southern Ontario, with headwaters in Algonquin Park. I spoke of the importance of not taking water for granted, rather seeing it as a gift from God to be preserved and enjoyed. After worship Ruth and I drove to Prince Edward County and spent time on a Lake Ontario beach. 

After being asked to lead worship at Trenton United and picking a theme I was surprised to see that September 27th is World Rivers Day. Serendipity? Providence? 

During these past six pandemic months we have paddled several rivers in nearby watersheds -- the Trent, the Moira, the Salmon. Through three seasons we've seen and heard an abundance of wildlife, a constant source of delight and hope. We would like to get out on the water a couple of times during this week, God willing, and we'll be mindful of yesterday's theme and this Water Week. Here is a prayer from a congregation which acknowledges World Rivers Day:

God, our Creator, whose glory fills our planet, help us to discern your vibrant presence among us, especially in the wonders of the rivers, the streams and waterways of Earth. Help us to be in solidarity with your wilderness creatures who are suffering. Lift our spirits to rejoice with the vibrant world of the rivers. In the name of Christ, who reconciles and restores all things in creation. Amen. 

St Hilda’s By the Sea Anglican Church:

National Tree Day and Gratitude

                                                 Ruth atop Rock Dunder September 2020

Yesterday we drove northeast of Kingston, Ontario, to a 100+ hectare nature reserve called Rock Dunder. It is part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere and those who want to enjoy the trails pay a $10 fee which supports the preservation efforts. It is very popular at this time of the year because of the Autumn colours in the trees. It's still a bit early in the season yet by the time we left the parking area was full. We were fortunate to have the trail to ourselves (early birds!) and we enjoyed the trees along the way almost as much as the eventual view at the top of the Summit Trail. There were some huge pines,  shagbark hickorys, impressive oaks and maples. In one brief stretch there was a chorus of nuthatches unlike anything we'd heard before, and flocks of blue jays and blackbirds reminded us that Fall is here. 

Wednesday, the day before our ramble, was National Tree Day in Canada so we were probably more mindful for the stationary yet living creatures along the path. We stopped at one point to reverently give thanks for the trees of the forest and while we didn't hug any we did actually make the sign of the cross. As I have pointed out often, trees are mentioned in the bible more often than just about anything else, after humans. 

Canada's vast boreal forest is one of the largest "lungs" on the planet and it's important to treat these trees with respect. I wish we could engender that respect for trees everywhere. As I write I look out my study window at two birches which are white and green and sprinkled with gold. The birds are coming and going from them and I am in awe. This Groundling says "thank you" to the Creator for all the trees of my life. 

Prayers for a Green Recovery

 

This morning I am praying, as many other Christian are, for a commitment to a Green Recovery in today's Speech from the Throne by the federal Liberal party. Not only is this an economic opportunity presented by the global health crisis, a moment for a strategic shift in focus, it a moral and spiritual imperative.

 I am concerned that the government's focus will be primarily the crisis we are all aware of today with COVID-19. There is also the clear and present danger from the other pandemic, which is the Climate Emergency. While it may seem to be a future threat, it is, in fact, as plain as the unnatural disasters around us, everything from vast wildfires, to floods, to soaring temperatures. Please offer up your own prayers today. 

Cleaning Up Our Act

 

Yesterday was World Cleanup Day and despite the COVID-19 pandemic the hope was that millions of volunteers around the planet would clean up the mess which humans create.We didn't venture out ourselves, but we often take a bag on walks so that we can pick up the inevitable garbage. mostly plastic, which we find along the way. 

This year we've spent time on a beach in Prince Edward County which we walk early in the morning when there are few people. We inevitably find the mylar party balloons which seem to proliferate no matter how diligent we are in picking up the remains. From time to time we meet others who comment on our endeavour or are doing the same. They too notice the number of these balloons which because of the location of the beach may be drifting across the water from kilometres away.

 When I searched for the appropriate balloon photo I discovered, to my chagrin, that most of the pictures showed people frolicking along with big bundles of balloons. Not only are they unsightly as garbage, they are deadly to wildlife which ingest fragments or become entangled in the colourful streamers.

As a Groundling, formed by the Creator and a creature amongst creatures. I feel that picking up the pieces of our irresponsible lifestyles is important. I also see if as a sort of meditative and even prayerful activity, with a note of contrition. Perhaps every day should be Cleanup Day, and we can "clean up our act" so that our waste doesn't sully Creation in the first place.

Mary Oliver, Groundling Extraordinaire

Yesterday was the birthday of the late, celebrated American poet, Mary Oliver. The life of a poet is a challenging one to say the least. Most struggle yet continue to create because they must rather than for recognition. When they are successful then the critics emerge, including some other poets, who express disdain for their popularity. God help the acclaimed poet, particularly if she or he is still alive.  

Oliver was a nature mystic, expressed exquisitely in her poems. There was a spiritual quality to them, and people wrote about that, even though she didn't make any religious claims. She attended Sunday school as a child but felt reluctant to join the church as an adult. “I had trouble with the resurrection,” she said. I've heard that later in life she returned to Christianity but I can't find anything she said to support that assertion. Wishful thinking? She has been studied by Christian reading groups and her poems have been included in lots of sermons, including a couple of mine. 

Mary Oliver was certainly a grounded Groundling, truly seeing god and perhaps even God in all things. I am grateful for her witness. Here is an appropriate poem for her birthday. 

Early Morning, My Birthday

The snails on the pink sleds of their bodies are moving
among the morning glories.
The spider is asleep among the red thumbs
of the raspberries.
What shall I do, what shall I do?

The rain is slow
The little birds are alive in it.
Even the beetles.
The green leaves lap it up.
What shall I do, what shall I do?

The wasp sits on the porch in her paper castle.
The blue heron floats out of the clouds.
The fish leaps, all rainbow and mouth, from the dark water.

This morning the water lilies are no less lovely, I think,
than the lilies of Monet.
And I do not want anymore to be useful, to be docile, to lead
children out of the fields into the text
of civility, to teach them that they are (they are not) better
than the grass.

Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems, Vol. 1 (1992)

Kayak Church? Amen!

 

Pastor Jes Kast shares a message with the congregation of Faith United Church of Christ during a floating service at Bald Eagle State Park, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 30, 2020. RNS photo by Abby Drey

We have paddled a lot in 2020 -- approaching 40 outings since the end of March. It has been a great way to physically distance from others. We've explored creeks and rivers, lakes and bays in a bunch of different watersheds. Ruth and I canoed together the first time 48 summers ago (gulp!) and still enjoy it. During the past 20 years of so we've kayaked as well and our excellent boats have been the craft of choice when we are ocean paddling. So often it is a spiritual experience for us and we usually take a few moments to ponder, to pray, to give thanks to the Creator.

What we do is not formally worship, and our congregation is almost always the pair of us. Can you imagine if there was a "kayak church" for those who sense the presence of God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer while on the water. 

A few weeks ago Rev. Jen Kast gathered members of her congregation for a service on the water after months of virtual worship. According to a Religion News Service article: 

More than two dozen people joined the brightly colored flotilla for Kayak Church on Sunday (Aug. 30) as Faith, like so many other churches across the country, dips its toes into meeting together in person after months apart during the novel coronavirus pandemic. For some, it was the first time they’d been together for worship in months. “Isn’t it good to see people? It just feels good to be here together,” Kast said.

It sounds as though this was a meaningful experience for the members of the flock, or flotilla, or whatever we want to call it. 

I love the tranquility of our outings, but it wouldn't take much paddle-twisting to convince me to provide leadership for something similar. God has certainly blessed us with venues in this part of Ontario. 

 

Moving Beyond Differences for the Care of Creation

 

One of the things I've come to realize about what Christians have in common is our uncommon ability to squabble about our differences. At the same time there are meaningful examples of how we celebrate being united in Christ, people of "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." In recent years a growing number of Christian communions have come together to acknowledge God as Creator and ask how we might celebrate and care for Creation. 

Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, established by the global Orthodox Church and now including Romans Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and many dogs-body Protestants, including the United Church. This day marks the beginning of Creation Time or the Season of Creation which is recognized by all these Christian denominations and a growing  number of evangelical groups. I find this very hopeful that we are finding common ground, literally and figuratively.  

Here is what I think is a prayer from a Lutheran source.which you might use today, or any time in the next few weeks: 

Season of Creation 2020 Prayer 

Creator of Life, 

At Your word, the Earth brought forth plants yielding seed and trees of every kind bearing fruit. The rivers, mountains, minerals, seas and forests sustained life. The eyes of all looked to You to satisfy the needs of every living thing. And throughout time the Earth has sustained life. Through the planetary cycles of days and seasons, renewal and growth, you open your hand to give creatures our food in the proper time. 

In your Wisdom, you granted a Sabbath; a blessed time to rest in gratitude for all that you have given; a time to liberate ourselves from vicious consumption; a time to allow the land and all creatures to rest from the burden of production. But these days our living pushes the planet beyond its limits. Our demands for growth, and our never-ending cycle of production and consumption are exhausting our world. The forests are leached, the topsoil erodes, the fields fail, the deserts advance, the seas acidify, the storms intensify. We have not allowed the land to observe her Sabbath, and the Earth is struggling to be renewed. 

During this Season of Creation, we ask you to grant us courage to observe a Sabbath for our planet. Strengthen us with the faith to trust in your providence. Inspire us with the creativity to share what we have been given. Teach us to be satisfied with enough. And as we proclaim a Jubilee for the Earth, send Your Holy Spirit to renew the face of creation. 

In the name of the One who came to proclaim good news to all creation, Jesus Christ.  Amen.