Rev. Michelle's Message April 24, 2025

This past Tuesday was Earth Day, and while I’ve heard some people referring to “Earth Month” instead of just one day (which I think is a great idea, by the way!), I, myself, have been so caught up with Lent and Easter over the past several weeks that I really hadn’t even realized it was Earth Month, much less taken time to properly commemorate it. So on Tuesday, still pretty tired from all the excitement of Easter Sunday, Alexander and I got ourselves in gear and headed out for our first “big hike” of the spring.

One of my very favorite places to hike is Garrapata State Park in Big Sur. In fact, a few weeks ago I was interviewed on an episode of Walkin’ West, a PBS show about great hikes in the western part of the United States. The episode, which featured Garrapata and Big Sur, was actually filmed just over a year ago, and is just now airing on various PBS stations. As soon as the online video becomes available, I’ll let you know so you can check it out! As for how I managed to get myself on a TV program about hiking? I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and was friendly and brave enough to say yes when they asked!

So on Earth Day, Alexander and I decided to head down to Garrapata. Although the day was cloudy and cool, it was still beautiful. We saw all kinds of wildflowers—Indian paintbrush, lupine, and my very favorite—wild irises. We made friends with a very chubby and very fluffy blue jay who watched us eat our sandwiches, coveting every bite just like my dog Winnie does. We finally tossed him a couple pieces of popcorn and enjoyed watching him get up the nerve to come close enough to grab them. We carefully stepped over the many stink bugs and roly-polies (whom Xander calls “his friends”), found an active beehive in a tree and watched the busy little creatures going in and out of it, heard the calls of a wrentit, a Bewick’s wren, and a red-shouldered hawk, and spotted a tiny lizzie (our name for lizards).

It felt so good to be out in nature and looking at only green, living things instead of my phone screen. The best part of the hike was that every time we passed other hikers, I would say, “Happy Earth Day!” and everyone we passed would happily answer back, “Happy Earth Day!” It felt really special, acknowledging to one another in that little greeting our shared love of nature and our beautiful planet.

We are so fortunate to live here in this amazing place where nature of all varieties is so easily accessible to us. I hope all of you will take some time to get out this week to have your own Earth Day celebrations. I know the harbor seals are pupping in PG, the ice plant is blooming and has created its annual purple “magic carpet” along the coastline, and everything is vibrant and alive with the energy of spring.

Just as Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ and the re-awakening of the Christ Consciousness in each of us, spring is a living testament to that same resurrection and renewal and revival of hope that takes place each year in the natural world. May the spring season awaken eternal hope in you with its beauty and wonder. This Sunday we will honor the awe-someness and sacredness of nature with our own Earth Sunday celebration. I look forward to seeing you at church!

Earthly Blessings,

Rev. Michelle