“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” — Rachel Carson Let’s begin with birdsong. Listen for the winter wren with her bubbly cascading notes, for the mourning dove and his drifting coos that resurrect the long, outdoor days of childhood. Hear the wood thrush whose flutelike ee-oh-lay, ee-oh-lay reverberates through woods. Picture the barred owl who wondrously asks who cooks for you? Who cooks for you? Those sounds coming out of a heart-shaped face. I found it difficult to write about creation and climate change, even though it’s one of the fearless dialogues the church is called to have now. I can’t seem to get the words out. I can’t get the words out because I am afraid. No — I am terror stricken by what our species has done to this good earth. I am petrified by thinning ice, alarmed by worsening storm systems. And I imagine you are, too. But what if we held fast to the possibility that there is much to hope for? What if … [Read more...]