Day 470 Tuesday June 29th 2021

the difference between falling and flying?

Yesterday Nancy, Victoria and I got together on ZOOM to discuss a day of reflection sometime in September. During that discussion, Victoria read us this poem by local poet Larry Robinson.

Falling

In these awe-filled days of fire and flood

We watch and wait and wonder

When that fierce hand

Might reach at last for us.

Those of us not yet touched by calamity

Quake, knowing in our bones

That though we may be spared

This time, time will level us all.

No magic amulets, no prayers,

Good deeds or good looks

Can promise protection

From our terminal condition.

And those who have watched a child

Swept forever from our arms Or fled the flames that swallowed

Our hopes and our memories

Or hid from the bombs Or the predator’s gaze Know that nothing now will ever be the same -

As if anything ever were.

For all of us are falling

Like ashes, like rain,

Like petals or leaves; But we all are falling together.

And if we knew, in truth,

There was nowhere to land, Tell me: could we know the difference

Between falling and flying?

- By Larry Robinson

ABOUT LARRY ROBINSON

Larry Robinson is a retired ecopsychologist and former Mayor of Sebastopol, California. He is the founder and producer of Rumi’s Caravan, an ensemble of poets and musicians dedicated to restoring the oral tradition of poetry. Larry currently serves on the board of directors of the Center for Climate Protection and on the board of trustees for Meridian University.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Bill Boorman's Birthday Party

We are invited to Drop-By to wish Bill Boorman a Happy 87th Birthday at his new apartment

Address: 301 White Oak Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409.

Apartment (#132) in Oakmont Gardens.

Come by anytime between 1 and 3 pm this coming Friday, July 2, (his actual birthday!).

Please Note:

As you arrive, you'll need to check-in at the Front Desk, answer a few questions re: COVID, and get a name tag before you come to his apartment.

There will be cake to share, and time to visit with Bill in his new setting!

Birthday cards are welcome, but no gifts please.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to give me a call:

925-451-8180 (my cell phone).

Victoria

ANNOUNCEMENT #2: JustFaith Video:

Thomas Berry, Environmental Care and Laudato Si

Last week several of us joined JustFaith for a presentation on Thomas Berry and Environmental Care by Fr. Joe Mitchell. It was informative and energizing. If you’d like to watch the presentation or send it to a friend who couldn’t be there, you can view it here! JustFaith Ministries resources and events available to you: 1) Class Opportunity: JustFaith Ministries is considering the possibility of offering a live six-session Zoom series with Fr. Joe Mitchell on the topic of Thomas Berry and Environmental Care.Let us know if you're interested! 2) Event Invitation: Join us on Thursday, July 15, 7:00 Eastern Time, for a presentation by Dr. Lewis Brogdon entitled “The Fight for the Soul of America.” As some of you probably remember, Dr. Brogdon has been featured previously on "Acting for Justice" addressing issues related to racial justice. Next month, he will be speaking to the matter of national identity and our future as a country. Don't miss it! Register today. 3) Program Invitation: Now is a perfect time to start a JustFaith Ministries program. It is critical now, more than ever, that communities engage in prayer, learning, conversation, and discernment about action steps. JustFaith Ministries provides these resources for free so that all can participate. If you'd like to support our work, please click here. Thanks again for joining us. - Leila Oakley