As August draws to a close, my gratitude for these sabbatical days continues to expand. Thank you, again, for this unique gift! In my desire to explore the Pacific Northwest more fully, I was pleased to spend the first ten days of August in Alaska. My brother-in-law and I visited Ketchikan, Petersburg, Juneau, and Sitka via the Alaska Marine Highway, and then we drove from Anchorage to Denali National Park. We brought the sun with us throughout the trip, and each day exceeded my expectations for adventure and discovery. In addition to the books I mentioned in my previous sabbatical update, I added two new ones while traveling north. The first is a compilation of letters, journals, and essays by John Muir entitled "The Wisdom of John Muir" (Wilderness Press). On his many visits to Alaska, Muir was overwhelmed by the natural beauty and the potential of human beings to either protect it or exploit in selfish and destructive ways. Muir's spiritual orientation was guided by a profound reverence and awe for the creative power of God and the sacred inter-relatedness of all living things. That reminded me of St. Francis of Assisi, so I did more exploring of Francis' own spiritual orientation, which connects all of this with a deep and abiding gratitude for the love of God made known to us in Jesus Christ. This led me to a new favorite book called "Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth" (Franciscan Media).

 

Some might think that all of this focus on the natural world is out of place in a month when the evils of white supremacy and antisemitism are tearing the fabric of our human community and when people are perishing in flood waters in many countries of the world. In truth, it is all more intimately connected that we can ever imagine. Thomas Berry, who was deeply influenced by the life and teaching of St. Francis, said: "The human community and the natural world will go into the future as a single sacred community or we will both perish in the dessert."

 

During my first week with you in October, we will commemorate the feast day of Francis of Assisi, and I look forward to the joy of re-uniting with all of you at that significant moment in the life of the Church. At present, I am enjoying a week of walking, reading, and reflecting in Paris, France. I know, it's not the Pacific Northwest, but it's a stopping point on the way to the wedding of our daughter, Sonja, in Luxembourg. My family will join me shortly and we will travel together for the wedding and then Sonja's graduation in Geneva, Switzerland. Before returning home, Linda and I will visit the French village of Le Chambon sur Lignon, where we lived thirty years ago. Historically, the residents of this rural village are deeply connected to the land, but they also stood up fearlessly to white supremacy and antisemitism during the second world war. Their example continues to inspire all those who refuse to separate one part of creation from another.

 

I'll be thinking of you and praying for you as you start a new cycle of worship and ministry in September. "A bientot!" (See you soon!)