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Reflections with Camp & Retreat Ministries
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Seagulls and New Perspective
A couple of weeks ago I was walking along the beach at Camp Magruder as the sun climbed, shedding its indirect light upon the sand. Ahead of me I could see a seagull on the beach. As I drew closer to it, the seagull flew away, and I noticed that it had been near a crab.
The crab, washed up on shore, was on its back, legs to the sky, at the mercy of whatever creature found it. As I moved beyond the crab the seagull returned, though it kept a wary eye on me and when I got within a range that it interpreted as being too close, the bird flew away.
I will say that I have not paid much attention to seagulls in my life, which might explain the dearth of seagulls in my personal photo library. I find them to be noisy, somewhat unattractive to my eye, lacking vibrant colors, and of course they have no song, or at least not one that I can recognize. I will also admit that this feeling toward seagulls has to do with an unfortunate incident from many years ago: having left my cap in the car before walking along a pier in an Oregon coastal town, I was defenseless when a seagull bombed my head with its waste.
I moved further away from the crab, which allowed the seagull to approach it again. It appeared to me that three other seagulls in the area were allowing this one to have a first go at the crab, which is not what I anticipated.
As I watched the first seagull stand guard over the crab, suddenly there was a loud squawking from another seagull, who approached the one that I had been watching. Even I, unschooled in the subtleties of seagull communication, could sense the urgency and fear in this call to action. The two seagulls took off, and then I looked a little higher and suddenly a bald eagle came cruising over the beach. It did not, however, seem to be all that interested in the crab, the seagulls, or me, as it kept right on gliding along the coastline.
After this experience, I have a greater appreciation for seagulls--at least, in their apparent care for one another. I have learned, again, that I have biases toward some creatures in this world and that each day brings with it the opportunity to revisit those biases and open my eyes to see something that I refused to see before: the value of each of God’s creatures, including humans.
Do you need to open your eyes and see someone in a different way? Is there someone who took the time to see you in a different way than they had previously? How did it change your relationship? If you would like to share a story with me, I would love to hear it.
See you on the adventure ahead,
Rev. Todd Bartlett
Executive Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries
*PHOTO: A seagull surveys the beach from the top of the cross at Camp Magruder (Todd Bartlett)
Recognizing Our Biases
Center for Action and Contemplation faculty member Brian McLaren has done thoughtful and helpful research about what makes us see things so differently from one another. He identified thirteen biases that we outline today. Being a former pastor and an excellent communicator, Brian found a way to make these complex ways of seeing simple and memorable. He writes:
People can't see what they can’t see. Their biases get in the way, surrounding them like a high wall, trapping them in ignorance, deception, and illusion. No amount of reasoning and argument will get through to them, unless we first learn how to break down the walls of bias. . . .
Read a brief description of each of the thirteen biases here, in the March 1, 2021, Meditation from the Center for Action and Contemplation.
Learning and the Outdoors
I am a member of the Clackamas River Basin Council, which fosters partnerships for clean water that sustains life for all (humans, plants, and animals) who live in the Basin. Next week this organization is beginning a year-long series of courses (some for professional development and some for non-professional learning) about this unique river and its contribution to our lives. Even if you live outside the Clackamas River Basin, if you are interested in rivers and their ecosystems, I invite you to check out the variety of offerings. The courses are free, though like any non-profit, donations are welcome. Find out more here: Journey Down the Clackamas.
~Todd Bartlett
*PHOTO: Water flows over rocks in Deep Creek at the Alton L. Collins Retreat Center, on its way to the Clackamas River. (Todd Bartlett)
Blessings Report
- Camp & Retreat Ministries received a second PPP loan/grant.
- Camp Magruder received a Gray Family Foundation Grant for roof work on Sherlock.
- CRM staff are working together for the Camp Leadership training on April 16-17.
Please send your blessings to share in future issues of the e-news.
A new perspective
Learning can come from surprising sources. Sometimes it's a seagull shattering our stereotypes. Or maybe it's a fresh surge of confidence from finishing a tougher-than-expected hike with the support of your cabin counselor, or a new insight from a conversation over the ironing board at a quilting retreat, or a deepened understanding of God's love during a giggle fest on the swim dock. Have you gained a new perspective through an experience at camp or on retreat? We'd love to hear about it. And we also love to receive your donations (just click that green button)!
