The Scream & the Climate Emergency

  When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to [Jesus] privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”  

Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places:  all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

“Immediately after the suffering of those days

the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from heaven,

    and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Matthew 24: 3-8, 29

When the Pacific island volcano called Krakatoa erupted in 1883 it created a tsunami that swept through that part of the world, causing widespread destruction and death. It also resulted in a "volcanic winter" as the ash created  a pall over much of the planet which blocked the sun. It also resulted in vivid sunsets of unnatural colours. Many wondered if this was a sign of the biblical End Times and there was an existential dread that affected people whether they were religious or not. Humans have always attempted to make sense of the signs of the times, politically, religiously, and in the natural world. Sometimes we get it right, often we get it wrong. 

One of the persons disturbed by what he was seeing in the skies above Norway was a young Edvard Munch, the artist best known for his omnipresent painting known as The Scream. Art historians suggest that the garish skies were Munch's representation of the ominous evening scenes he witnessed as an impressionable young man. 

This image has been pilfered to be applied to everything from tee-shirts and mugs. One of the several versions of the painting was stolen at the beginning of the Winter Olympics of 1994 in Lillehammer and recovered, unharmed, three months later. 

There is a certain currency to The Scream in the midst of the Climate Emergency, the unnatural disaster which is shaping our marvellous planet. So many nations including Canada seem to be backing away from a commitment to address the causes of climate change. While the United States is on a reckless path of denial, our federal goverment is making a host of scary decisions to dismantle the modest gains the Trudeau adminstration made. Catherine Mckenna, a former environment minister has expressed her concern and Steven Guilbeault, also a fomer environment minister, quit the Carney cabinet in disgust. 

We don't want to be Chicken Little alarmists about the changes we are witnessing around us.  Yet we could do with some mighty rebel yells as environmental scientists plead for governments to pay attention to what is unfolding. The massive marches in cities around the world as part of then-teen Greta Thunberg's Fridays for Future seem like some distant dream rather a hopeful movement that took hold only a decade ago. Greta at age 15 spoke to the United Nations and the World Economic Forum in blunt and honest language. 

Maybe we all need to lean out our windows akin to the scene in the 50-year-old film Network (1976!) where the unhinged yet prophetic news anchor Howard Beale told his audience to lean out their windows and yell "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!" 

Actually, I'll choose to pray and act as a Christian whose deep desire is to love Creation and Creator, not only for myself but for generations to come. We may need to do some unfettered "birth pang" screaming as well. 

Birds as a Prayer of Creation

1 God sees the little sparrow fall,
it meets his tender view;
if God so loves the little birds,
I know he loves me too.

1 God of the sparrow God of the whale

God of the swirling stars

How does the creature say Awe

How does the creature say Praise

Yesterday I encouraged the congregation of Trenton United Church to be Bird-Brained with St. Francis during the season of Lent. As readers of this blog will know I'm picking up on the 800th anniversary commemoration of the death of Francis by the Roman Catholic church. While Francis preached to the birds, many of us have learned that birds teach us and preach to us in a variety of ways. We'll all use a calendar page to record what we see and hear each day during the preparatory season for Easter. After the service a number of people came to me to share the birds they have seen recently. 

We feed birds and are constantly amazed and uplifted by them during this harsh Winter. Whether it is a tiny rose-breasted nuthatch at a feeder or the pair of cardinals at dusk or the bald eagles we see along the Moira River these are examples of resilience and the variety of Creation. 

I have written about Liza Adamczewski, the Accidental Ecologist and so has Mira Gupta in a thoughtful X post. Liza reposted it: 

Liza Adamczewski or the accidental ecologist

@lizaadamczewski

I stumbled across this little piece about my work yesterday. Written by someone I’ve never met; but they have met my work. Its an odd feeling knowing paintings will be around long after I’ve departed

The Super Bowl and More to Life than More

 Every year corporations willingly shell out millions of dollars for 30 second ads to put their products in front of the huge audiences for the Super Bowl -- that's the NFL championship for those of you who couldn't care less about pro sports. Canadians don't see most of them because we are in a different market so we'll see the same ol' boring ads, over and over again. 

There are few exceptions to the corporate ad buyers but one of them is a Christian organization now called Come Near that has created Super Bowl plugs for Jesus for four years, including the one for his evening in the "He Gets Us" campaign. According to the creative director: “The spot is really showing the thing we all feel, which is the absurdity of where things are at,” Armour said.  “We’re chasing our tails, we’re going fast, but going nowhere.”

“What if the only expectation was love,” the ad asks. “Jesus doesn’t expect us to earn it.”

There have been different themes each year and all of them have offered worthwhile messages except that $8 millon for half a minute doesn't seem very Jesusy to me. Is Jesus a product to be sold? Is there an uncomfortable irony to that slogan "there's more to life than more"? And how can millions of Americans go without healthcare yet there's a Christian organization that can come up with money for this? 

The "He Gets Us" ad will be in the queue with another featuring ex-pat Canadian William Shatner who is shilling for Raisin Bran. There will be lots of double entendres in this one including a "will shat" play on his name. Nuck, nuck. What a curious time we live in. 

The Wind & Fire of Pentecost in Notre Dame Cathedral

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 

 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Acts 2: 1-4 NRSVue 

Many of us watched the spectacular re-opening service for the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. While some aspects of that restoration involved meticulous attention to the history of this magnificent building dedicated to the glory of God there were nods to modernity as well, including the striking vestments for the clergy. 

This work continues in imaginative ways such as a set of stained glass windows telling the story of Pentecost, the tumultuous blessing of the Holy Spirit on the first believers before the term Christian had been coined. While it shouldn't come as a surprise that there are some who strongly oppose installing windows that don't reflect a more traditional style there have been many renovations and additions to Notre Dame through the centuries. 

Not all changes are fitting for church buildings and I've been in some sanctuaries where strange decisions are so jarring I get antsy sitting in them. Yet I strongly believe that the Holy Spirit can sweep into spaces and the communities they serve in refreshing and enlivening ways. 

Here is a description from the National Catholic Reporter about what these new windows represent that I find really helpful. Congratulations to those who were wlling to make bold choices for a living congregation: 

The models for six new contemporary stained-glass windows planned for Notre Dame Cathedral are now on public display in Paris following months of intense national debate.

Critics argue historic elements should not be removed, while supporters say the new windows honor tradition and reflect the living faith of the Church today.

The works, designed by French artist Claire Tabouret, are featured in the exhibition "In One Breath" at the Grand Palais through March 15. Since Dec. 10 visitors have flocked to the vast white gallery where the work is displayed along with sketches and other preparatory items.

Tabouret, a 44-year-old French painter of international renown, lives between France and Los Angeles. Her stained-glass windows models depict the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and the Virgin Mary, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Prints on display are figurative works nearly 23 feet high and 13 feet wide.

The theme of Pentecost was chosen for the stained-glass windows by the Archdiocese of Paris and Archbishop Laurent Ulrich as part of a new educational program designed by the chaplains of Notre Dame to help visitors discover the foundations of the Christian faith while exploring the cathedral. This journey takes them from Genesis to the beginnings of the Church, through Christ's death on the cross, symbolized by the crown of thorns, which is in a reliquary located in the central chapel of the cathedral.

As the Olympics begin, Go Canada!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,[a] and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 

Hebrews 12:1 NRSVue 

 Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.

I Corinthians 9:24 NRSVue

Clara Hughes. Becky Scott. Hayley Wickenheiser. 

The Winter Olympics are officially underway today and as I erranded about this morning I listened to these three remarkable women speak on CBC Radio about the thrill of representing their country, Canada. They all won gold medals although Scott initially received bronze in a race where the silver and gold medalists were eventually stripped of their awards because they cheated. 

Ruth is more enthused about the Olympics than I am yet I was moved as these remarkable women shared their memories, knowing that it took tremendous dedication and honest endeavour to reach the pinnacle of their sports. In these days of dangerous nativism and "might makes right" these three accomplished, genuine, athletes were a tonic.

There are a surprising number of verses in scripture which use the metaphor of "running the race" of faith. I don't think of my Christian faith as a competition with others. In fact, that's when religion and faith often become dangerous. At the same time I understand that faith isn't just about enthusiasm and worship experiences which are ecstatic, although both can be transformative. Sometimes faith requires disciple and stamina even when the going gets tough and discouragement makes us want to quit. 

I recall the scene in the film Chariots of Fire where the Olympian Eric Liddell, a devout Christian, read from the book of Isaiah during a worship service in Paris before he competed for gold in a race that wasn't his specialty because he refused to run on the Sabbath. This church moment was created for the film yet it reflected his remarkable devotion to both his sport and to God.

As the Olympic games begin, go Canada go!

 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Isaiah 40:31

An Uncertain Future for the Tatamagouche Centre

 I found out yesterday via Broadview magazine that the Tatamagouche Centre of the United Church will be deciding its future at the end of February. This lovely conference and retreat centre has existed for the past 70 years of the shore of the Northumberland Strait in Nova Scotia.

When I was minister of St. Andrew's United Church in Halifax I led a weekend event on prayer at Tatamagouche for members of the congregation and I took part in a worship event with leaders from the Iona Christian community. 

According to the Broadview piece the future may entail rematriating the land -- giving it to a local Indigenous partner. While this would be a meaningful decision this will be hard for those who have benefitted from Tatamagouche through the decades. 

This is part of the trend in the United Church of reducing programming or closing similar centres across the country. While at St. James UC in Stroud, Ontario, during the early days of my ministry I led groups at Cedar Glen Centre, another beautiful location near Alliston which was sold to the YMCA in 2000. As the United Church has diminished in size financial resources to sustain these places have dried up and there isn't the same interest from congregations for these opportunities. Of course, hundreds of churches have closed as well. 

I found that stepping away from the everyday congregational settings, whether with youth, or families, or adults, opened participants to conversations that were different. We had the time, the spaciousness together to consider who we were as Christ's community without some of the encumbrances of "churchianity." As a pastor I got to know people in a way that Sunday mornings and meetings didn't allow. 

God be with the Tatamagouche Centre decision-makers during the weeks and months ahead. We hope that what lies ahead is the Creator's future for this sacred place. 

Bird-Brained with St. Francis, Again

 

                               Church of Reconciliation, Taize Christian Community, France 

This Sunday I will invite folk at Trenton United Church to give their attention to the birds around them during the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday -- two weeks from today! Here is the announcement we'll share:

Bird-Brained with St. Francis in the Season of Lent

Last year you were invited to record sightings in the natural world/Creation on a calendar page for a month. What you saw and shared was wonderful!

This year marks the 800^th anniversary of the death of St. Francis who was said to preach to the birds and other creatures. 

So, we invite you to note the birds around you each day during Lent with a calendar page we will provide. 

Avian biologists remind us that we tend to take for granted the presence of birds and I think this is true. During the cold and snowy month of January our feeders were busy, seemingly endlessly, with a variety of bird species. We were forewarned of each storm by the intensity of activity. 

Two weeks ago we hosted a member of our family for a few days She is living with Alzheimer's Disease and her short term memory is gone but she is still her lovely self in the moment. She was enchanted by the feeders and asked us the same questions about the different birds and the seeds we deploy -- endlessly. Somehow this was okay, ensuring we didn't take our avian friends for granted!

As I looked for art images of St. Francis preaching to the birds I found this wonderful linocut by Sarah Fuller with the title, The Birds Preaching to St. Francis. Clever and true. The birds do deliver their sermons to an often bleak world, with courage and joy.