We have spent so much time outside in these last few months. I have talked with many of you about how it has been such a gift to have beautiful weather for walks, gardening and porch sits during this time of staying-at-home.

We have particularly noticed the birds all around our home. We put in a new bird feeder, have chased many (MANY!) squirrels away from it, we've listened to the sounds of owls nearby in the evening and we've paid attention to the many different colors and kinds of birds in our midst. Chris and I mused about how we must have been missing the sounds and seeing so many birds because of our hectic schedule and all the distractions that come with "normal" work and family life. He mentioned this reflection in a Zoom meeting with New Hope Presbytery colleagues a few weeks ago. After the meeting, he received a note from a colleague, who also happens to be a transportation engineer for the state.  This colleague said he was talking to a friend who was an ornithologist who teaches at UNC who said there are several environmental  resiliency  factors in play in this time.   Creation is reclaiming part of her rightful place.   One is about birds.  Fewer  people traveling via motorized vehicles means less road noise.    With less noise, wildlife, birds specifically, are able to hear themselves more clearly.   Not only this -- they a can also hear the calls of others over greater distances, building connection (thanks to Rev. Ed Johnson for this nugget).

Because of the reduced noise, birds can hear their own call, and the call of others, more clearly.  I wonder if we, in this very strange, different time, might be able to hear God's call and the call of others more clearly?  And, as the noise of the world begins to creep in during the next few weeks and months, how might we be more intentional about trying to continue to hear those calls?

Carrie Rhoads Tuttle
Parish Associate for Pastoral Care