I have always loved being in nature, and from a young age I was always sensitive to matters that impacted the environment. I don’t really know why. We weren’t an environmentally progressive family in any particular sense, nor did I spend too much time in the woods or at the beach in such a way that it attuned me to nature, it was just a part of my interests from a young age. When I first went to college, I was an environmental science major. I changed majors for two reasons; one, I ended up not liking chemistry, and two, because science is hard to excel at, when you have a nearly full-time job at the same time.
Regardless, I’ve always loved being in nature and keeping an eye on nature, which brings me to this Rambling, in which I hope to highlight two upcoming events. First, on April 21, a Saturday afternoon, there will be an event called, Down to the River to Pray, here on St. Simons. It is an afternoon of paddling on local waters followed by a potluck and Eucharist here at Christ Church. The event is sponsored by our Diocesan Creation Care Committee and by Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL), an ecumenical organization that works with churches to promote care of creation in various and easy ways. One of the things they do is give free energy audits to churches in order to help them find ways to reduce their spending on utilities. We received one of their audits a couple of years ago and welcomed their strategies to cut our costs.
The paddle and pray event is being organized through Southeast Adventures here on St. Simons. We will gather at Village Creek Landing at 1 pm and spend about three hours on the water. Both kayaks and paddle boards are appropriate. Southeast Adventures will have kayaks for rent, or you can bring your own vessel. Registration is $49 if you’re renting a kayak and $20 if you’re bringing your own. The paddling will be relaxed, making it appropriate for all ages, and there will be several stops on the water for prayer and reflection. The Rev. Deacon Leeann Culbreath of Tifton, GA will lead the prayers. The paddle event is open to everyone, not just Christ Church, although we are sponsoring the Eucharist and hosting the pot luck in the parish hall. I plan to be out there paddling, and I encourage you to consider joining me.
The other event is the Louchery Lectures, which will take place on Saturday, May 5th. Dr. Matthew Sleeth will be with us. In addition to his interest in Sabbath, he and his wife, Nancy, lead a non-profit, Blessed Earth. The mission is to help churches, schools, and other institutions pursue faithful stewardship of the creation that has been entrusted to us by our Creator. Dr. Sleeth has a powerful story about how he found his way to an active faith, and also has an engaging style as he shares the teachings of our faith. Nancy has also lectured on simple living and its benefits, and between the two of them, I am eager to have an opportunity to engage Christ Church and the wider
community around these issues. We know how blessed we are on this island with its beauty and natural wonders, and I think we all treasure them and want to see them flourish.
So, join us on the water if you’re a paddler, and be sure to plan to come to hear the Sleeths for the lectures in May. I think both will be fun and inspiring events. In the meantime, don’t forget to give thanks for the beauty of our longer-than-usual spring, as it continues with some cooler temps. It’s too easy to take what we have for granted, and when we do take it for granted, it’s all too easy to lose it.
Tom+
O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.