In this corner of the Great Lakes Basin, the earth is awakening once again. Spring is here. A friend of mine, a retired botanist from the United States Forest Service, lives with her husband not far north of here in a log home on the shores of Lake Superior. She reminds me there’s a kind of music that we soon will be able to hear, an ever-so-faint buzzing sound made by bees and butterflies and other small winged creatures that inhabit our gardens, meadows, and streams. If we choose to make the decision to pay attention, you’ll discover a strange, marvelous lesson awaits us.
In 1961, Edward Lorenz, a meteorologist at M.I.T., was running a numerical computer model, from the middle of the previous run, to redo a weather prediction. He was in a hurry. He used a shortcut by entering the initial condition 0.506 from the printout instead of entering the full precision 0.506127 value. The result shocked him. It turned out to product a dramatically different weather scenario. Take, for example, the slight difference (measured in the flap of a bird or butterfly wing in Brazil). That could, theoretically, cause a tornado in Texas. This initial, almost incomprehensible insight, was in following years confirmed by science in replicated experiments that now shape the basis of “chaos theory.” In some circles, it’s known as the Butterfly Effect.
If we’re truly honest, we shouldn’t be surprised. Evidence of that observation unfolds each day in all of our personal lives. We have our plans. Love gets in the way. Circumstances change. Accidents happen. Variables around us end up influencing us in ways we are not even aware. Despite our most sophisticated attempts to control the world around us, human health, the economy, friendships, war, our love lives and the weather are ultimately, in any specific instance, impossible to predict. It’s as if an unfathomable mystery carries us all along, although most of us still like to try to convince ourselves otherwise. A simplified version of such awareness is actually a deeply spiritual one: everything matter.
C.S. Lewis echoed this remarkable, and somewhat rattling view of the world, in a profound poetic insight following his mid-life religious conversion in 20th Century England. He wrote, “There is no neutral ground in the universe.” In that moment of deep consciousness, Lewis began to see that everything is in transition, moving toward wholeness or falling into disintegration. On an interpersonal level, he said in hushed reverence, we are all helping one another grow into gods and goddesses. Or, into impostors and monsters.
A long-awaited summer soon will dawn upon us. We will be passing by a flower bed, strolling through a meadow, or finding ourselves walking a forest path. For a split second we may catch a glimpse of a butterfly’s wing. Remember this: Our smallest actions make a difference in the universe. So, dear friends, hold close those you love. Tell the truth. Be generous. Protect small children. Care for the earth. Say your prayers.
Spring 2018 Equinox Newsletter
CONTENTS
- The Medicine Wheel
- Institute Outreach
- Interfaith Water Stewards Update
- Spirit of Place 2018
- Blessing the Sacred Circle
THE MEDICINE WHEEL
The Medicine Wheel Project, a collaborative health initiative coordinated by CTI with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and support of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan Foundation, is mid-way through its six month implementation phase.
This 2017-2018 wellness initiative appropriates four key mind/body interventions in the context of traditional Ojibway teachings. It seeks to improve tribal members’ health, specifically those living with the stress of Type II diabetes.
Special thanks to Nora Maloy, BCBS Project Liaison, Kathy Mayo, Interim Director of KBIC’s Tribal Health System, and Mike Grossmanm, M.D. who oversees medical training for tribal participants.
And to Nathan Meadows and Malanie Mottinger for serving as part of our support team, preparing soups and teas. We especially celebrate little Oakley O. Meadows, born into the arms of Nathan and Melanie on April 5, 2018! We look forward to the KBIC welcoming young Oakley, wrapped in a traditional blanket, at one of our two future workshops on KBIC’s L’Anse Reservation.
INSTITUTE OUTREACH
Over the past three years, eight members of Marquette’s faith community, who are living with serious illness, have met at the Institute around a fireplace for discussions on life-meaning issues and coping strategies. This April, former participants from that series met again on three mornings (St. Luke’s Project 2018) to explore how each individual’s life and relationships have evolved since their initial diagnosis. Thanks to Jim Shirtz who co-facilitates these sessions.
On March 30th, CTI’s Director served as one of six guest preachers for Messiah Lutheran Church’s Good Friday service. On Feb. 26th, he presented a session on the mind/body practice of Tai Chi Chuan for the MC2 Health and Wellness Community in Marquette. On April 28th he served as guest presenter/clergy for the U.P. AFL-CIO Labor Council’s Memorial Service.
During Sept.-Oct. CTI will offer presentations at Bay Cliff’s Post-Polio Syndrome Retreat and for the ELCA-NGLS Women’s Retreat at Fortune Lake Camp in Crystal Falls.
In the March 23rd issue of National Catholic Reporter, an article written by CTI titled, “Via Dolorosa, the Path of Sorrows among the Urban Poor,” was published, based on an experience in Seattle during a 2016 Good Friday Stations of the Cross worship service.
INTERFAITH WATER STEWARDS UPDATE
On Friday evening, April 20th, Rev. Faith Green Timmons, pastor of Flint’s Bethel United Methodist Church & Greg Timmons, Flint Water Recovery Resource Coordinator, will share their story of people of faith who organized relief efforts in Flint following the contamination of that city’s water system that impacted thousands of adults and children. Music by Michael Waite & Friends. Donations will support the ongoing Interfaith water relief efforts in Flint, Michigan.
Sponsored by the Interfaith Northern Great Lakes Water Stewards in partnership with the Cedar Tree Institute, and representatives from the Buddhist, United Methodist, Lutheran (ELCA), Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Jewish religious traditions.
SPIRIT OF PLACE 2018
The Wall
Fear, Prayers, and Politics
A three-day CTI Retreat on United States Immigration Policy with Spiritual Explorations on Crossing Boundaries in both our Inner and Outer Lives.
Facilitators: Jon Magnuson, Lee Goodwin, Ruth Almén, Joseph Piccione and Kent Fish
Center for Franciscan Spirituality
EL PASO, TEXAS
*December 2018 (To be Confirmed)
BLESSING THE SACRED CIRCLE
In 2018, two projects will continue to shape CTI’s commitment to celebrate the Mystery of Life here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
One is providing support and training for volunteers and staff working with the hospice community, addressing critical, on-the-ground challenges facing those who work with end-of-life care.
A second is the planting of Northern white cedar trees. During the summer of 2018 we will be working with volunteers and youth from our area’s faith communities, planting 500 trees to protect this region’s stream banks and provide needed habitat for deer and songbirds.
CTI is a nonprofit organization initiating projects & providing services in the areas of mental health, religion & the environment.
One-third of our services are pro bono. Counseling services are available with Jon Magnuson (MDiv., MSW) and are covered by most insurances.
For information contact us at 403 East Michigan Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or contact us via email. Telephone & Fax: 906-228-5494
The Spring 2018 Equinox Newsletter is brought to you by Cedar Tree Institute.
