A sliver of tomato falls from my sandwich onto my shirt. I’m in the parking lot of a mall, about to pull out unto the highway. One hand on the steering-wheel, the other holding a fast-food sandwich which is disintegrating in my hand. This isn’t looking good.
I see a parking space, turn and stop, shifting the transmission of my 2005 Jeep Cherokee into park. Taking a napkin from the sandwich bag, I dip it into a cup of water I’ve purchased from the drive-thru, to see if I can remove the stain. It’s not working. The stain spreads. Making a streak.
Yes, I’ve been multi-tasking. I take a deep breath. And smile. I’m not living in the present. As a result, I’ve created a mess.
Those of you who know the work of the Cedar Tree Institute are aware that a key focus for many of our projects is deepening relationships with the natural world. The State of Michigan just awarded another remediation grant of several million dollars to clean up a “brown field,” a euphemism for a dangerously contaminated area of land or water here in the Upper Peninsula. A haunting remnant of past pollution from the chemical, mining, and timber industries.
What went wrong? The answer, at least in part, was we were in a hurry. The majority of us were not attuned, nor truly present, nor educated about the environment in which we lived. Now a price is being paid. It’s a costly one. Cleaning our water, our soil, and our air will take generations and literally billions of dollars in Michigan alone.
Here’s a lesson: We have a chance, if we choose, to slow down, pay better attention to how we eat, drink, and live with our neighbors. The free-market mantra to take as much as we can, as fast as we can, isn’t working. Our neighborhoods, our communities, our health and spiritual lives, are suffering.
Some time ago, I sat in a local church basement of a once booming mining town. It was a Sunday morning, following the worship service. I was drinking coffee with a group of older men. We were talking about mechanics, garages, and repair of second-hand cars.
One recalled a mechanic he knew thirty years ago who came to work in a local neighborhood garage dressed in a white shirt and white pants. He would leave at the end of the day without a streak of grease anywhere on his clothes or hands. Two or three of the others at the table remembered him. In certain circles, that mechanic remains a legend. He carried the gift of knowing how to work around equipment with mindfulness, balance, and exceptional awareness.
That conversation was a gentle invitation to live a more caring, self-aware, and attentive life. Next time you see me, I may be involved in a spiritual practice. Hauling trash or cleaning my jeep. Wearing white pants and white shirt. You’ll know why.
Fall 2021 Equinox Newsletter
CONTENTS
- JOURNAL NOTES
- IN MEMORIAM
- MIND-BODY CONNECTIONS
- EARTH, AIR, AND WATER
- ON THE HORIZON 2022
- SACRED JOURNEY
JOURNAL NOTES
The 2021 JANUS PROJECT
A three-day training for hospice workers, physicians, and substance abuse counselors took place at the historic Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay, August 26-28th. Larry Skendzel and Mike Grossman, hospice medical directors in Marquette County and La Crosse, Wisconsin, served as key presenters for this year’s theme, “The Dynamics of Grief and Loss.” Thanks go to Judy Baldwin, Nathan Meadows, Jeff Noble, Melanie Mottinger and little Oakley for providing critical back-up support. Also, to Tim Fillmore and son Welly who served as kayak instructors and guides.
On July 19th, the Cedar Tree Institute Director worked with community psychiatrist Kelley Mahar, MD, to facilitate a 4-hour training for five psychiatric residents-in-training with Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. The morning explored the puzzle of empathy as a part of effective psychiatric care. Kelley continues as a key partner for Institute projects dealing with mental health and underserved populations.
‘EarthBeat,’ the National Catholic Reporter’s online environmental publication published a review by the Cedar Tree Institute on Josh Berson’s “The Human Scaffold: How Not to Design Your Way Out of a Climate Crisis” (2021). Berson’s conviction is that technology will not save us. Instead, he calls for a return to a connection to our bodies and how we might learn to live more simply in harmony with the natural world. The author walks his talk. In recent interviews, Berson stated his personal goal is to live out of two backpacks.
Link: www.ncronline.org/news/earthbeat/adapting-climate-change-technology-will-not-save-us
On Labor Day, the Cedar Tree Institute was invited by the UP Regional Labor Federation to offer reflections and an invocation for their annual Labor Day Celebration in Ishpeming, Michigan. The Federation, under leadership of Mike Tibault, continues to provide a voice of advocacy for justice issues around health and safety for organized labor in the State of Michigan.
HEALING THE EARTH
The Northern white cedar tree is an important part of the biodiversity of the Northern Great Lakes Basin. It is also a sacred tree among regional tribes: The Ojibway, Potawatomi, and Odawa. Commercial timber companies choose not to replant this species in our part of the world. Their reason: Not enough profit. The cedar, they say, grows too slowly.
This summer, the Cedar Tree Institute, thanks to Messiah Lutheran Church of Marquette, the Community Presbyterian Church of Big Bay, and Wild Church, an outreach of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran) Church, continued restoration of this threatened gift of our forests.
With a dozen volunteers from different walks of life we planted 500 cedar trees.
On September 4th, one hundred of these 500 trees were planted in the earth alongside Lost Creek. Each placed with a whispered prayer of thanks for the life of Liz Kro (Davis), age 37, a mother, wife, medical social worker, and daughter of Bill and Mary Davis.
Liz died, on September 10th in Minnesota, surrounded by her family following living with cancer for five years.
On September 11th, fifty seedlings were planted in a grove not far from the Yellow Dog Falls by Ryan Redmond and his two children; Lucille, age 5 and Rome, age 4. In honor of Lucille and Rome’s sister, 3-month old Ruby Elizabeth Helen Redmond who passed, unexpectedly from this life earlier this year.
Thank you, Jeff Noble, our forester; Ken Kelley our faithful 87-year-old guide; Sudi Layraman, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Big Bay; residents and staff from Superior Housing Solutions, and all the good folks from the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and Wild Church for helping make this year’s effort happen. Special appreciation to Ron Adams and Catherine Lord who joined us from Tacoma!
IN MEMORIAM
Dale Skogman
1939 – 2021
Dale Skogman served as the Bishop of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA (Lutheran) Church from 1991-1999.
In earlier years as a parish pastor in the Upper Peninsula, a congregation member approached him after winning the Michigan State Lottery. He offered to pay of the remaining mortgage on their newly erected church building. Dale replied, “Thank you so much for your offer. Bless you! But I have a suggestion. Let’s allow the folks who made a commitment to this vision finish their promise of stewardship and pay of the mortgage. We’ll gratefully accept your donation and send it to help the wider church’s efforts to fight world hunger overseas.” So it happened. To the astonishment of many in the community and the congregation.
Years later, in a private conversation during the joyous celebration of a young pastor’s ordination into the pastoral ministry, he said to me, “I share this moment of joy. I really do. At the same time I always carry a tear, that not many see, in my eye.” Curious, I asked “Why would that be?” He responded, “They have no idea what is coming.” Prayers are with his beloved wife Jo and family.
Dale embodied, for many of us, the very best of what it means to be a servant leader. Tat rare combination of gifts: Modesty. Discernment. Organizational acumen. Gentleness. Courage.
Ted Doyle George
1928-2021
Ted George, S’Klallam tribal member, teacher, community leader, and mentor for many of us, spent the last, influential years of his professional life as Program Director for Region 10 of the Administration for Native Americans which included eight western states. When pressured by federal officials to move to Washington, DC, he negotiated an agreement. He would fulfill his responsibilities but remain on his family’s reservation lands in Puget Sound.
Ted lived in the border country between Native and nonnative cultures. He danced atop that high wire with integrity, courage, and humor.
Over 50 years, he forged a deep sense of spirituality with his wife Karlene. Both resonated with faith-based initiatives and prayerful liturgies that spoke to social issues dealing with race, human rights, and economic justice.
After moving with my family to Michigan, I visited as often as I was able, bringing gifts of maple syrup and venison. I was always received, like so many others who visited with remarkable hospitality and exquisite welcome. It was as if I was coming home.
MIND-BODY CONNECTIONS
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
15TH POST-POLIO WORKSHOP
Special words of recognition and commendation for Fred and Kathy Maynard who coordinated the 15th Annual Post-Polio Survivor Workshop at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay, Michigan in September. As a recently retired physician of rehabilitation medicine, Fred’s vision for these gatherings, over the years, drew participants from across North America, Canada, and Europe. Thanks to Jim Shirtz who, once again, joined the Cedar Tree Institute in co-presenting and leading a break-out session on Tai Chi and health. These workshops, because of their private nature, often took place without public attention. They were extraordinary gifts to dozens of folks from all walks of life. Fred, Kathy, Sonny, and Jim, thank you!
MEDICINE WHEEL II
A training project for American Indian health department staff scheduled for December 17, 2021. Michael Grossman and Jon Magnuson will be introducing three Mind/Body practices to improve physical and emotional resiliency for nurses and medical staff with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Thanks to Joe Dowd and Kathy Mayo, KBIC tribal leaders who are working with the tribe’s Health Department epidemiologist Stephanie Bliss to provide this training.
ONGOING TAI CHI WELLNESS CLASSES
Diana and Jon Magnuson continue to offer weekly Qi Gong/Tai Chi classes in 2021. More information can be found on our Tai Chi page. Our appreciation for the hospitality of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette where Wednesday evening classes, 5:30–6:30 PM take place. Our Monday Zoom class series, 5-6 PM, currently involve 10 individuals from two islands and six states. Special thanks for insights and logistical support from our participants with music and garden tours.
EARTH, AIR, AND WATER
INTERFAITH WATER STEWARDS II
An initiative to advocate for and work to provide the HIGHEST STANDARDS of clean drinking water across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our “Gif of Water” columns have resumed in the “Marquette Monthly.” By December 31st, 2021, we will have published 48 essays by 48 diferent authors over four years. Our intention is to invite a benefactor to help us explore the publication of these columns in a book form, available in 2022.
Initially delayed because of COVID-19, an unfolding strategy is now beginning for our interfaith eforts in 2021-2025. Our planning team includes tribal leaders, Bishops Katherine Finegan and Rayford Ray, Wild Church under the leadership of Lanni Lantto, NGLS /ELCA deacon Lori Ward, Paul Lehmberg, priest from the Buddhist community, and Bre Kinnunen, Lutheran campus pastor at NMU.
A SIGN OF HOPE
In July, hundreds of community members gathered along the Menominee River to celebrate the withdrawal of the proposed Back 40 Mine Project. Al Gedicks, respected community activist, was instrumental in critical eforts to stand with local jurisdictions and the Menominee Indian Tribe to block that proposed sulfide mining operation. Funded by Aquila Resources, an international company in Canada, Aquila recently sold their shares to a Denver-based gold-mining company that plans to move forward with another proposal. A lesson here: Communities do have choices. Money doesn’t have the last say in the future vision for our natural resources.
THE STRUGGLE GOES ON…
Dennis Ferraro, retired attorney, with increasing numbers of Marquette area citizens, are banding together to challenge a proposal for a commercial “space port” to be located 12 miles north of Marquette on the shores of Lake Superior. The proposed rocket launch site carries serious consequences for anyone committed to responsible care of the Upper Peninsula environment. Check out their perspectives on this matter by linking to: citizensforasafeandcleanlakesuperior.org
ON THE HORIZON 2022
RETREATS / PROJECTS
PAIN AND PLEASURE
February 2022
An exploration of brain science, spirituality, addiction, and justice near Las Vegas, the heart of America’s famous playground. With Layne Kalbfeisch, PhD; Mike Grossman, MD; Joe Piccione, S.TH.D; and Ruth Almén, MSW.
*Congratulations to Layne for her recently published book on neuroscience and children’s learning styles. Published in September, it can be ordered via www.chausa.org
Ref: “Teaching to Every Kid’s Potential”
THE MYSTERY OF TREES
September 2022
A three-day retreat on ecology, the timber industry, spiritual traditions, and the role of forests in our planet’s health. We will also spend a morning planting trees in a nearby community forest!
HEALING WATERS
January-February 2022
A no-cost 6-week series of small-group training workshops for senior citizens in Marquette County. Coordinated by the regional West End Community Foundation in collaboration with our area’s faith leaders. Instruction of Mind/Body practices oriented for reducing stress and improving decision-making. Gratitude to Rev. Steve Solberg who will serve as outreach coordinator.
THE SAMUEL PROJECT
January-March 2022
A seven week Zoom series on prayer and the life of faith. Coordinated by the NGLS /ELCA Life-long Faith Formation Program. These sessions will explore and practice three diferent traditions of prayer based in centuries of use in Judeo-Christian, Buddhist, and Native American traditions. With Barbara Ojibway, Jon Magnuson, and Lee Goodwin.
IN APPRECIATION
As the world searches for a new balance in the midst of COVID-19 challenges, restaurants, agencies, and small businesses have collapsed.
The Cedar Tree continues in its mission! Jim Elder and Steve Mattson provide strategic counsel for our vision. Anne Rydholm carries on as Institute bookkeeper. Thanks to all of you who have chosen, through prayers, notes of encouragement, and donations to continue this work.
Thank you.
SACRED JOURNEY
In July, a 24 ft. carved totem pole arrived in St. Ignace, Michigan. On its way to Washington DC and its new home at the National Museum of the American Indian. The accompanying delegation included CTI Native American friends and colleagues Kurt Russo and Shelley Means. Their 7,000-mile pilgrimage involved prayers and ceremonies at seven threatened Native American sacred sites and Treaty lands across North America —including a protest against Enbridge, a Canadian-based company proposing to build a conduit (Pipe Line 5) for natural gas under five miles of Great Lakes waters.
The Cedar Tree Institute, a nonprofit organization provides services and initiates projects between boundaries of medical institutions, faith communities, American Indian tribes and social action movements. One-third of our services are provided pro-bono.
CTI BOARD
- Jon Magnuson, CTI Executive Director
- Steve Mattson, Financial Consultant, Wells Fargo Private Client Services, Retired
- Jim Elder, Attorney
ADVISORY COUNCIL
- Larry Skendzel, Physician, Hospice Care
- Gareth Zellmer, Consultant, Trainer
- Ken Kelley, Professor Emeritus, NMU
- Rick Pietila, U.S. State Department
- Jan Schultz, Botanist, USFS, Retired
- Michael Grossman, Family Physician
RESEARCH FELLOWS
- John Rosenberg
- Ruth Almén
- Kent Fish
- Joe Piccione
For information contact us at 403 East Michigan Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or contact us via email. Telephone & Fax: 906-228-5494
The Fall 2021 Equinox Newsletter is brought to you by Cedar Tree Institute.
