| |
Dear friends,
I didn’t
use my camera all weekend (rare for me I know), so let me describe a scene for
you. Friday I drove up to the Coal River Valley in West Virginia, with a car
full of organizers for a Mountain Justice Meeting. A while back I had suggested
that we have a celebration to honor all the work done in the movement to end
mountaintop removal since our meetings tend to be all business and it is hard
to create intentional space for appreciations in the midst of all the despair,
stress, excitement…etc.
When we arrived at the office for
Coal River Mountain Watch on Friday night I was overcome with emotions. I had
not been there in some time and the last time I walked in the door I was
greeted by Judy Bonds, a leader who passed away from cancer last year at the
age of 58. The office has a large room with a big work table and multiple
desks, and there are pictures all over the office. Some are of mountaintop
removal sites, gps maps, movie posters, and many are of Judy Bonds and others,
honoring their work, and highlighting the current and past campaigns to draw
attention to Coal River Mountain and the whole valley. This time I was greeted
with hearty hugs and warm food. We stayed up late catching up and sharing
stories until falling asleep sometime late into the night. Just before dawn,
while we were all asleep, two of the framed photographs of Judy fell from the
wall and we woke up to the sound of glass shattering. Judy was still with us.
Saturday during the day we had a
business meeting for Mountain Justice, a monthly event involving volunteer
organizers from throughout central Appalachia, who have organized an annual
summer camp for the past seven years, and spring break camps nearly as long, to
inspire, train and place activists, volunteers, and interns with organizations
and in campaign houses throughout the region. See www.mountainjustice.org for more
information.
Arriving at
the volunteer house was a delight. It is nestled into the mountains at the head
of a hollow, with 170 acres of land surrounding the house. A full moon
illuminated the land, and a bonfire gave us a natural circle to congregate in. Just
being together on such a night is meaningful, and we added to that by honoring
it with our full presence in a ceremony designed to celebrate and appreciate
the work of so many, to release any obstacles holding us back personally, and
to take on and publically declare our aspirations going forward. We invited
into our circle all those who were not with us in person, and together we
raised a toast for all of the incredible accomplishments this movement can
claim, and moreover, sincere appreciation for one another. If you are reading
this, chances are, we toasted you in that circle. If I had a photograph to
share, you would see a tight circle of people illuminated by the orange glow of
the campfire and surrounded by another circle of mist, well known in Appalachia
for carrying spirits.
There is a
staying power that can come from gratitude and appreciation. Voicing our
appreciation is a muscle in need of more exercise, and this particular evening
helped. If there is only one message that is heard from the Eco-Chaplaincy
Initiative, please let it be this: from gratitude and appreciation, all our
work becomes more doable. People are dying every day from coal, and this grief
can solidify into despair, come out as rage projected at oneself or towards
others, turn into apathy or learned hopelessness…etc. By remembering our intention, letting go of
obstacles, embracing aspirations and being grounded in gratitude, we have more
power than ever.
As an
eco-chaplain, my heart was full as I closed the circle. I left with a prayer
that I would like to share here: “In this
new year, in the midst of this great turning, may our work be defined by a
culture of appreciation for one another. May we ask for help when we need to,
lend a hand whenever we can, and strengthen our muscles of trust and mutuality
so our coalitions and movements are as strong as possible. May we embrace an
urgency in our actions that naturally embodies sustaining power for the long
haul. May we let go of the shackles of polarization, and judgmental mind states,
self-righteousness, and aggrandizement; while treating our bodies, our hearts
and minds, our closest relationships, and all relations, in the way we want the
world to be.
***
Looking ahead, the Eco-Chaplaincy
Initiative is hosting two upcoming workshops here in the Asheville, NC area
facilitating the Work that Reconnects. These workshops are inspired by the root
teachings of Joanna Macy and will bring us through a spiral of connection from
gratitude for being alive in this time of global crisis, honoring our pain for
the world, seeing it through new eyes, which allows us to go forth with a renewed
vigor and honed intention. The dates are Jan. 27-29th, and again
February 17-19th. These are two separate workshops and the cost is
$50-$85 sliding scale for each. You can write to me at sarah@ecochaplaincy.net or call
304-640-7960. I hope to see you here. If you are interested in hosting a
workshop in your hometown, please pick up the phone or type back a message and
let’s talk about it!
Also, I currently have room in my schedule for individual pastoral
counseling over skype, phone, and in person. Please contact me if you are
interested. Active listening, empathy and direct counseling all available to
explore issues surrounding your engagement with activism, organizing, and the
conditions of our world, despair, burn-out, grief, conflict, hope, hopelessness,
or apathy, optimism, faith tradition and spiritual practice, spiritual
advising, career and life transitions, etc. You need not work in Appalachia. Sliding scale rate $36-$65/hour. Attached is a brochure with all the services
available through the Eco-Chaplaincy Initiative.
Thank you to all of you who have
sponsored the Eco-Chaplaincy Initiative throughout these past few years. Your
support is how it continues! To be a monthly donor or send a donation online,
go to http://www.ecochaplaincy.net/donate.html or send a check to The Eco-Chaplaincy Initiative, PO Box 890, Swannanoa, NC
28778.
In gratitude,
Sarah Back
|
