Sharing opportunity for July 5 Worship Service: Beauty in Nature

As you know, this year America is celebrating 250 years of independence. Some of you may feel like it should be a day of mourning, rather than celebration. At the same time, it is an opportunity to reflect on what we value and to look at our roots.

In the recent copy of Smithsonian magazine the Smithsonian Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch II recounts going to the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration. In an essay for the festival program anthropologist Margaret Mead responded to those who criticized celebrating in the aftermath of a recession, the Vietnam War and the resignation of a disgraced president. She wrote: “It is quite true that we are living through difficult times, but life does not stop for difficult times,” Noting the parallels to a 19th century America still divided by the Civil War and in the midst of a worldwide recession, she went onto write “The celebration of our 100th anniversary as a nation also took place in a time of trouble, but taking pride was a good thing we gained strength and looked to the future.”  Bunch adds: “It is more urgent than ever for us to remember that the nation was formed by resilience and shaped by those who believed in its highest ideals.”

Since spending time in nature makes our hearts sing and is one of the ways that we connect to the Holy, you are invited to share a photo of your favorite National Park or wilderness area on that Sunday.  You can share it as your Zoom background and/or add it to the Kitchen Wall (by emailing Ashley).