A Letter from Our Bridge Pastor
Rev. Barbara K. Peronteau
I remember watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom when I was kid. The show, as most of us might remember it, ran from 1963 -1988. Somehow, in my mind, I have it connected to The Wonderful World of Disney. Nothing in particular about Wild Kingdom sticks in my mind. It’s not as if a certain show stands out in my memory. What I do remember though, is learning all about the animal world and how both precious and fierce it is at the same time.
I have vague memories of young fawns at birth, and mountain lions, wolves, and polar bears roaming in their natural habitat. I came to appreciate the animal world. A few years ago I watched an episode of NOVA, a show on PBS, about the Loggerhead Turtle and how it’s whole life is about crossing the treacherous oceans to lay eggs on a distant beach and then return home. I fell in love with that tenacious creature.
Where I used to live in Pennsylvania, many moons ago, there is a narrow valley with a creek running through it on its way to the Schuylkill River. The creek got a little swampy at one point and quite deep in another. This micro ecosystem supported a lot of wildlife. The deer would come for the water, the geese would find refuge, a snapping turtle and its family made a home there, as did a family of turkeys. I remember one of my neighbors rushing up to me one day telling me not to shoot the turkeys. “Let the turkeys live,” she implored. I was wondering if she thought I was going to bring out my blunderbuss and go get dinner.
When I first moved here almost four years ago I was surprised to see a family of turkeys strutting in the middle of the intersection of San Pablo and Marin. I prayed they wouldn’t get run over. I felt being fearful for their lives. I prayed. O God, protect them.
Then when I started here, as your bridge pastor, I was greeted by a couple of turkeys. It was Arlo and Arlyss! They were sauntering around in the parking lot. I felt a sense of wonder and gratitude. “Good morning, it’s nice to see you,” I said. They ignored me. They were busy being themselves. As well they should.
In the last few days there’s been an email thread about our pair of turkeys and a coyote. My mind went to the worst possible scenario. For the turkeys anyway. But as I read the thread, I was relived to find out that Arlo and Arlyss were just fine and were, in fact, proud parents of three babies.
The thing is, I find myself rooting for the coyote too. I didn’t like it when the pride of lions attacked the heard of wildebeests on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. I wouldn’t like it if the coyote had a nice turkey dinner either. But all this reminds me that this is where we live. We live in the middle of God’s creation, not apart from, but within. As the temperatures climb, we are made aware we are more connected than we think. We are more responsible than we think.
And so, with a tender heart for all of God’s creation, including us humans, I am reminded that all of life is precious, and we are called to respond with understanding, kindness, and care.
Peace and wonder,
~ Pastor Barbara