A Bird and A Bee and Love of Creation

 I went all the way through Earth Week, including Earth Day without a Groundling blog post. I chose to offer that emphasis in my Lion Lamb blog, but it does some odd that I offered nothing here.

Yesterday we went for a walk in Prince Edward County, the area to the south of us which juts out into Lake Ontario. The County, as it's often called, has plenty of beaches and walking trails and a couple of provincial parks to explore. 

Before we left, early in the morning, I checked the emerging blossoms of a berry bush on our property and noticed a bumblebee at work. It was an encouraging sign because these bees which were everywhere in my childhood have become a rarity in Southern Ontario, likely because of pesticides and the loss of habitat. 

In PEC we walked a windswept beach where we were the only humans  and eventually sat for a cup of tea from a thermos, looking out to a lagoon connected to Lake Ontario. A flock of common terns on a sandbar suddenly took to the air, and when we looked up we saw a bald eagle drifting over. The terns had decided that discretion was the better part of valour and made a hasty retreat. Eventually the eagle made its way across the lagoon and landed in a tree.

It's wonderful to see large birds of prey such as eagles and ospreys which had become rare in our region a few decades ago, also because of a pesticide, specifically DDT. There are ospreys everywhere in our area now, including a number of urban nests in Belleville, and we see eagles several times a year.

Many people would be thrilled by the sighting of an eagle, and it was a highlight of our outing. At the same time, my spirits were lifted by that bumblebee which started our day. The diversity of our planet is essential to the health and wholeness of all creatures, including humans. 

Sad to say, we Groundlings tend to ignore the biblical directive to be loving stewards of Creation. to pay attention in a prayerful way, and to act with humility and purpose on behalf of all that lives.

 If every day is Earth Day, then we can choose to do so as God's people.

 

An Oak Forest & Notre Dame Cathedral

                                                 

                                                    The Notre Dame roof "Forest" before the 2019 fire 

So Abram moved his tent, and came and settled by the oaks[ of Mamre, 

which are at Hebron; and there he built an altar to the Lord.

                                        Genesis 13:18

Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the terrible fire which came close to destroying Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The 800-year-old landmark was saved but billions of euros are being spent to restore it, not without controversy over the enormous cost. President Macron visited the church and while there was a renewed pledge that Notre Dame will be at least be open for prayer and a return to some form of worship in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics it isn't likely that the restoration will be completed.

There is another controversy around this work, and it is an environmental one. The plan is to fell 1,000 oak trees across France to reconstruct the roof trusses of the cathedral. Some have already been taken down and most of the rest have been chosen for this work. The vast latticework of the roof was known as "the Forest" and the oaks harvested at the time of the initial construction would have been three to four hundred years old. There are no trees of this age or size in France today, but some are two hundred years old. 

                                     Oak tree felled for Notre Dame Cathedral restoration

Those ancient timbers contributed to the intensity of the fire and there has been a movement to save the present-day trees and use other, safer materials for the reconstruction. To do so would not detract from the aesthetics of the restoration but this would save the equivalent of a forest used to reconstruct the Forest. I signed a petition to find an alternative even though I had no delusions that this would change the outcome.

The irony is that the work being done on Notre Dame which started the fire was addressing deficiencies which developed with age. So why not use steel or some other material rather than insist that  magnificent living beings be destroyed to mimic the original roof supports? 

In the ancient world oaks were often considered sacred and even worshipped. While this was discouraged in Judaism there was a reverence for oaks and Abram or Abraham settled by the oaks of Mamre. I have my own sense of reverence and awe for oaks, including one near where we lived in the town of Bowmanville with a nearly 100-metre spread. 

I'll go out on a limb here (sorry) and say that God the Creator is not amused by what these Groundlings are doing to these venerable French oaks. But it's hard to imagine that God isn't constantly baffled by our choices as humans. 

                                                         Notre Dame fire, April 15, 2019

The Wonder and Awe of a Starry Night

                                     The Starry Night -- Vincent Van Gogh

This is Unesco World Art Day (the UN has a day for just about everything) and I ended up reading a fascinating article in the New York Times by Russell Shorto about Johanna Bonger Van Gogh. Jo, as she called herself married Theo, renowned artist Vincent's brother. Except that at the time Vincent was toiling in anonymity, struggling with mental illness, dependent on Theo for art supplies and money to pay the rent. Theo was making a name for himself as an art dealer who was willing to represent the Impressionists, a group of painters rejected by the art establishmen.

Theo died shortly after Vincent, 33 and 37 respectively, and Jo was a widow with an infant after only 21 months of marriage. Remarkably, she had the determination to become the steward of Vincent's huge body of work which up until that time generated no interest on the part of critics or collectors. Her efforts are reflected in Shorto's title, The Woman Who Made Van Gogh.

I was struck by the fact that before Vincent's death he sent a painting to Theo which disturbed him because he felt that it conveyed his beloved brother's mental decline. Jo recognized the brilliance in The Starry Night, which is probably Vincent's best known painting today. 

I've written about the conjecture that the startling colours and vibrancy of the The Starry Night are indicative of the powerful contrast in a sky unaffected by light pollution in the area where Vincent spent his final months. We are becoming increasingly aware that few people on the planet have any sense of the night sky because of ambient light and that this is a spiritual loss. Surveying a sky with the Milky Way arcing across, or watching a meteor shower, can make us feel inconsequential,  while filling us with wonder and awe at the same time. 

Interestingly, Vincent was hoping to include a Christ image in this painting but wasn't satisfied with his efforts so "settled" for the work which is so well known around the world. 

Thank God for Johanna Bonger Van Gogh and her resolve to bring Vincent's genius to the fore.  

A Wood Duck on a Sunday Morning

 

I saw a single wood duck yesterday. Big deal, you think. Yes, it was, I reply. In order to be active while also observing the latest restrictions mandated by the provincial government I walked early in the morning at a conservation area, and along two trails which took me to water. For me proximity to water is life-giving and spiritual. I saw various creatures, including my first frog -- I've heard a million peepers and chorus frogs -- and a muskrat.

As I walked close to a maple swamp I saw a bird land in a tree, then hop to another branch. My binoculars revealed a male wood duck. There are lots of these beautiful birds around these days, but I'm accustomed to seeing them in flight or floating on the water. Wood ducks are cavity nesters though, and this one may have been near its own nest. After all these years of noticing birds and all the wood ducks I have seen, this was a first.

Later in the morning we watched the worthwhile worship service from Trenton United. I felt God's presence twice, and that the experience in the woods brought a sense of calm and wonder which is unique to being in Creation. I am a Groundling at heart and soul. and the sight of that wood duck spoke to both. 

Prince Philip, & Many Heavens, One Earth

 

                                       Many Heavens, One Earth Conference -- Windsor Castle, 2009

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II has died at age 99. They were married for 73 years and through the decades he adapted, perhaps somewhat reluctantly, to his role as consort. Philip had his personal passions and causes, along with the multitude of institutions to which he was attached by virtue of his role. Through the years he expressed concern for the future of the planet and hosted a conference at Windsor Castle bringing together religious leaders  Here is my blog from back then. 

This week a couple of the royals have been touring Canada and today will be opening the Royal -- Winter Fair that is -- in that hub of agriculture, downtown Toronto. Don't get me wrong, I think the Royal is wonderful.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch -- Windsor Castle -- Prince Philip was hosting a significant conference of religious leaders who are concerned about the fate of the planet. Representatives from nine religions gathered in anticipation of December's U.N. conference on Climate Change. This event called Many Heavens, One Earth is part of a larger initiative, the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, which encourages followers of various faiths to "live with respect in Creation" to use a phrase from our United Church statement of faith.

The General Secretary of the United Nations was one of the speakers and he noted that the religions of the world can have a huge role in educating their constituents about practical care for their planet home.

It's encouraging to hear that religious leaders, with all their differences, can come together for the common purpose in caring for creation. We may disagree on heaven, but we share this earth. 

Below is a portion of the description of the conference released in October of 2009.

The celebration – a summit of religious and secular leaders – will launch dozens of long-term commitments by all the major faith traditions. These commitments cover for example: all Daoist Temples in China solar powered; creating faith-based eco-labelling systems in Islam, Hinduism and Judaism; greening all types of religious buildings; protecting sacred forests; developing ethical investment policies; printing sacred books on environmentally-friendly paper; creating educational programmes through the faiths' major role in both formal and informal education.

April and All Creation

 

April is all about the critters. Yesterday was International Beaver Day ( I kid you not) and on Tuesday we actually saw a beaver and heard it at as well when it slapped its tail as we were paddling a quiet lake north of Kingston. 

This also happens to be National Wildlife Week, which has been in existence since 1938. When we were paddling and while we spent a couple of glorious hours on an island we saw no other human beings but plenty of animals and birds. Along with the beaver there was an otter which we saw several times. There was a pair of merlins who voiced their displeasure at our presence. We could hear the loons of this lake, a first this year, and a pileated woodpecker pounding with mating vigour. As we drove to our destination we literally slowed for wild turkeys and then paused on the gravel road to listen to the din of Spring peepers and chorus frogs, On our paddle back to the landing it was warm enough that the water snakes were on patrol and the bugs were skittering on the surface.  Wildlife Week? We were living it. 

Wait, there's more! April is Earth Month, an extension of the annual recognition of Earth Day on April 22nd. Many congregations recognize Earth Sunday which this year is April 18th. While we will likely not be gathering for indoor and in-person worship, this could nudge us out the door to appreciate the diversity and beauty of Creation. Sure, we'll watch the online service, but as Earthlings we can all "take time to be holy" in the midst of the wonder of the season. April is such a hopeful month in these parts, so let's hope we can give thanks and praise every day. 

EV's are No Joke, Thanks be to God

 

                                                                  Volkswagen Electric SUV

A few days ago the international automotive colossus, Volkswagen, announced that it was changing the "k" in its name to "t" as a rebranding thrust in North America. VW has taken an "all in" approach on electric vehicles and wants to compete with Tesla, so why not include a clever shift in name? Except that it was actually an April Fool's ploy to grab media attention and it seems to have backfired. While Volkswagen, with a "k" is committed to moving away from gas and diesel vehicles industry pundits and environmentalists were not amused. The company image already experienced a setback when it cheated on "clean diesel" vehicles, so the attempt at humour was not well received.

The reality, though, it that VW's decision has prompted other major vehicle manufacturers to move in the same direction. General Motors, the other global giant, is hot on their trail. VW's share price has shot up and Tesla is a darling of the industry. After a rocky start as a vehicle maker , Tesla sales have doubled this year from last and I see them everywhere. The Chinese are making EV's which they claim are as good as Tesla's for half the price. 

Many of us who are concerned about the well-being of God's good Earth are ready and willing to purchase an electric vehicle, if price, variety, and availability improve. Recently our son and daughter-in-law attempted to purchase a used EV or hybrid but they are few and far between.. The transition will be gradual because gas/diesel vehicles are on the road for many years now and most consumers won't buy just for the sake of switching. We're hoping that our next vehicle will be electric. 

There is now a Tesla shuttle vehicle at the Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, which is pretty much the far reaches of Canada. We asked for a lift when we were there a couple of years ago, even though we were prepared to walk in from the road as we've done before.We also saw EV charging stations on the streets of  Reykjavik, Iceland, a country that produces plenty of cheap electricity thermally. 

I chatted with an interesting guy at the gym last year who does solar installations on homes. He drives a Tesla and loves it. He knew what my profession had been and commented that EV's are good for the Earth as a nod to my care for Creation. 

I hope we do move away from our addiction to fossil fuels before it's too late, and that's no joke.

                                                            The EV charger at the Fogo Island Inn

Easter & The Spring Has Come!

 

                                                  Spring Hedgerow -- Angela Harding 

1 The spring has come, let all the church be part of it!

The world has changed, and God is at the heart of it!

New light, new day, new colour after winter grey.

New light, new day, the spring has come, let all the church be part of it!

2 The sun is warm, let all God's children play in it!

The world expands, let's spread the Gospel way in it!

New leaf, new thrust, new greening for the love of Christ.

New leaf, new thrust, the sun is warm, let all God's children play in it!

                                                    The Spring Has Come --  Voices United 187 

This Easter morning we headed out on our bicycles for what we knew would be a nippy ride along the Bay of Quinte. We are blessed with a paved shoreline trail which is about a fifteen kilometre return trip for us -- maybe a bit more. We warmed up quickly and it was calm and beautiful, with birds all along our way. There was a sense of resurrection in our world, even as we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ. We stopped for a gospel reading at one point and I chose a post-resurrection story of Jesus feeding his disciples a shore lunch after they had returned to fishing on the lake of Galilee. 

When we got home we listened to some Easter hymns and chatted about our favourites. One of my faves is The Spring Has Come, which was written in 1990. It brims with hope and reminds us that our God is incarnational, choosing to live amongst us in the person of Jesus, in a world of beauty. Many of our Easter hymns, including those hundreds of years old, make the connection between the renewal of the Earth and the Risen Christ. We can celebrate this, and choose to respect and protect our planetary home, even as we give thanks for eternal life. 

3 The spring has come, new people are the flowers of it.

Through wind and rain, new life is in the showers of it.

New bud, new shoot, new hope will bear the Spirit's fruit.

New bud, new shoot, the spring has come, new people are the flowers of it!

Seeds, Seedlings, & Our Resurrection Hope

 

“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.

                                             John 12:24 -- The Message 

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS SHOPPING FOR SEEDS

DUE TO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF ORDERS RECEIVED AND DELIVERY DELAYS WITH CANADA POST, YOU MAY EXPERIENCE LONGER THAN NORMAL DELIVERY TIMES. WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS AND ARE WORKING HARD TO MEET DEMAND.

Does this notice from the website of Vesey's, one of Canada's foremost seed suppliers really surprise any of us? We're all trying to figure out how to make the best of lock-downs and travel restrictions due to the pandemic. Want to buy a bicycle or a kayak? Good luck with that. Book a campsite? Apparently the bots are scooping them up. 

Why not try growing your own flowers and vegetables, if you can get ahold of those elusive seeds and seedlings? There is only so much bread anyone can bake and consume, and someone, somewhere grew the grain to make those loaves.

 This Easter morning we can remember that on Resurrection Day Mary, consumed by grief, did not recognize Jesus, initially, mistaking him for a gardener. I've never thought of taking tips on growing plants  from the apostle Paul, but he did imagine the resurrection in terms of sowing seeds, which then germinate. He may have been aware of Jesus' use of that imagery.

As our plants emerge from Winter sleep and we plant with a sense of expectation, let's hold fast to our resurrection promise. Have a listen to Unless a Grain of Wheat by Bernadette Farrell. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2fR9fUD5bM

The Groaning of Creation & Good Friday

                                                                       Tree -- Jyoti Sahi

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 

and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, 

groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 

For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. 

For who hopes or what is seen? 

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:22-25 NRSV 

We went to Prince Edward County yesterday and were blessed to walk in two places where there were virtually no other humans. On a solemn Good Friday we tramped along in the absence of human-made sounds and for stretches of silence between us. At one point Ruth asked if I had a scripture verse or passage floating around in my head that suited the moment. I had actually been thinking of Romans 8, and the apostle Paul's thoughts about the groaning of Creation. 

We found a bench, I conjured up the verses and we talked about the other, even more serious pandemic of our altered climate and the degradation of planet Earth. We had already walked through what we think of as a sacred grove of trees where many have been knocked down by wind bursts or have tumbled into Lake Ontario because of shoreline erosion. When we walked another beach a while later it was knee-deep in tiny mussel shells, one of the invasive species which humans have brought to the Great Lakes. Creation is groaning, if we are willing to listen. 

On Good Friday we express our gratitude for God's love for us, in the Crucified One. We have tended to be anthropocentric, to speak of Jesus, the Christ, dying for humanity and for each one of us. Yet the gospel of John reminds us that "God so loved the World." a phrase which is the title of a  John Stainer piece which was traditionally sung at this time of year. 

What if we Groundlings took this phrase to heart, and if we are became truly attentive to the cries of Creation? I am moved by Christ's love for me, and the profound meaning on the cross. I want to be much more inclusive in my understanding of Good Friday, in both word and deed, for the sake of all living things. 

Bird-Brain Disciples and Jesus

 

Yesterday we had our fifth and final study session for the book Sermon on the Mount by Amy-Jill Levine. It certainly seemed appropriate that we held it during the week of Jewish Passover and Christian Holy Week. Today, in fact, is Maundy Thursday which commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with his followers, a Pesach or Passover meal which we now acknowledge as one of our Christian sacraments.

We spent some time on the passage in Matthew 6, where Jesus encourages his disciples to live beyond worry and anxiety. He speaks of the birds of the air and how they go about their lives with purpose. Levine is quick to point out that while it is important to attend to nature and the examples around us, we are not asked to be birds or wildflowers. And birds are often subject to the vagaries of weather and the threat of predators. Jesus does ask us to do what Levine describes as "learning from the simplicity and the ephemerality of their lives."  The lives of all creatures are precious to God and they are also fleeting, even those of humans. To accumulate stuff may seem to give us security, but we do learn that we really can't take it with us, so simple living and generosity to others is essential to the spiritual life. 

                                                    Not So Mute Swans at the Frink Centre Boardwalk 

I thought about this on my drive home yesterday and as I walked this morning in a light Spring snowfall. I was dressed warmly as I made my way through the woods and along the water of the Frink Conservation Area, but the birds weren't. Yet the ducks and blackbirds and crows and swans were busy eking out an existence in the cold and snow. As always, I found comfort in sharing their world, as I do when watching the birds at our feeders in all manner of weather. I passed quite close by a pair of swans until one decided to spread its wings and hiss at me!  It makes sense that Jesus would use as examples the birds and flowers they could all see around them.

Two evenings ago I participated in a Zoom event with novelist and poet Margaret Atwood, celebrated bird observer, illustrator and author, David Sibley, and musician and writer, Jonathan Meiberg. All are very knowledgeable about birds and the event was an homage to Atwood's late partner, Graeme Gibson and the re-issue of his The Bedside Book of Birds. They eloquently touched on what we do and don't know about birds -- were you award that bird can never get out of breath because of their lung structure? They also spoke of the solace and wonder that birds provide, particularly during these uncertain days, as well as their presence in our spiritual understanding. 

There are certainly lots of birds in the bible from beginning to end. You know, I think Jesus was on to something.