This week, I’ve been deeply immersed in all things Earth Day. I’ve been following some of the three-day Earth Day 2020 LIVE programming, much of it led by young people. My mailboxes and feeds have been full of letters bearing greetings, suggesting activities and even making fundraising pitches tied to its 50th anniversary. Heck, I even wrote one of those! Click here to read my very l..o..n..g message to UU Ministry for Earth’s constituents.
I recall being a teen, myself, on that first “Earth Day” fifty years ago. Perhaps you, too have memories of that day, or have heard others tell their stories, and can recall some of the many Environmental Teach-in activities and results. I remember, at first blush, thinking it was all about the need to recycle!
Since then, I know I am not alone in having cultivated a deeper understanding of environmental issues, environmental justice, climate change and climate justice issues. It seems the need for ongoing education and taking appropriate action never ends.
For many of you, Earth Day has been more a reminder of the preciousness and beauty of this planet, a time set aside to “get back to nature,” soak up her beauty and restore our soul. Or perhaps it’s been a time to re-affirm reverence for the flourishing of all life as an important part of your spirituality or some part of a spiritual practice in which you ground your daily life. There’s a reciprocity that comes in turning to nature to restore our souls, then returning, our souls fully restored, to care for the Earth.
I have been reflecting on how we care for one another and our planet. I’ve been wondering:
With blessings for the journey,
Rev. Cindy
I recall being a teen, myself, on that first “Earth Day” fifty years ago. Perhaps you, too have memories of that day, or have heard others tell their stories, and can recall some of the many Environmental Teach-in activities and results. I remember, at first blush, thinking it was all about the need to recycle!
Since then, I know I am not alone in having cultivated a deeper understanding of environmental issues, environmental justice, climate change and climate justice issues. It seems the need for ongoing education and taking appropriate action never ends.
For many of you, Earth Day has been more a reminder of the preciousness and beauty of this planet, a time set aside to “get back to nature,” soak up her beauty and restore our soul. Or perhaps it’s been a time to re-affirm reverence for the flourishing of all life as an important part of your spirituality or some part of a spiritual practice in which you ground your daily life. There’s a reciprocity that comes in turning to nature to restore our souls, then returning, our souls fully restored, to care for the Earth.
I have been reflecting on how we care for one another and our planet. I’ve been wondering:
- As we practice community care in response to the coronavirus pandemic, what lessons can inform or shift our response to the climate crisis?
- What do the stirrings of your heart tell you about protecting the tree of life on which we, too, bloom?
- In what ways are you affirming and promoting the wellbeing of the interdependent web of existence of which we are but a part?
With blessings for the journey,
Rev. Cindy
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