LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

January 17, 2020, Community Happenings

Feeling Climate Change: Part 1

By John Lewis

I still remember the feeling of relief that washed over me. I was going through one of the most stressful events of my life, then a friend told me that what I was feeling was a normal response to an abnormal situation. In other words, it was a crisis response. 

The feelings of despair, anger, hopelessness, grief and uncertainty weren’t a sign that something was wrong with me. Rather they were the result of an overwhelming experience. These feelings were a natural part of the way we process and eventually move through a crisis. In time, I would feel better and could even grow stronger even if I didn’t feel like it at the moment. 

People are using the term “crisis” to describe our climate and the rapid changes we are going through. And the same feelings that go along with crisis reactions are being used to describe reactions to the climate. The wildfires in Australia are overwhelming, their enormity inspires a sense of helplessness. In Sitka, salmon struggling to make it upstream and unusually sunny summer days leave the impression that something is not right. 

It is seemingly a daily occurrence that we are receiving signals of a changing environment. When any life form senses changes in the surroundings, it produces signals to respond to those changes. Our feelings are signals whose goal is to restore balance within ourselves and our surroundings. If we don’t listen to these signals, and we don’t respond in some way to the change, we end up creating more stress. 

Perhaps this is where we are collectively; we are in the early stages of crisis. Even talking about climate change can arouse powerful emotions. For some, the dominant reaction is denial, to go on like it does not exist or affect us. Others, especially those whose lands and lives have already been directly affected, may be filled with grief. People who see that there is not enough being done, or feel they cannot do enough, are left feeling burnt out or hopeless. But all these reactions are a normal part of the process of adapting, accepting and in the end, acting.

The real tragedy would be to remain in these feelings without any action. An important part of a crisis reaction is the gathering of one’s resources to meet that challenge. In doing so, we can actually become stronger and more connected to those around us. The reality is this: the climate is changing and we must adapt. For each person, family, or community, that adaptation may look different.  

But a big part of that adaptation will mean changes to how we think and how we feel. This is the first part of a once-a-month series here at Climate Connections exploring how climate change is affecting mental health – not only how it makes us feel, but more importantly how we can respond. The intensity of feeling, the crisis response, can be a call to change. It’s only crazy if you don’t listen.

-----

 

John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

 

Shakespeare

Group to Meet

Sitka’s I Read Shakespeare group, meeting 6:30-8 p.m. Mondays at the Pioneers Home puzzle room, will  watch a theater production of ‘‘A Comedy of Errors’’ on Jan. 20.

 

Broadway Night

Hosted by Theater    

Sitka Community Theater will present an evening of showtunes at Broadway Night 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 31, at Odess Theater.

The event features performances of Broadway tunes, with light appetizers and wine included in the admission price. SCT draws talent for the event from the Sitka Fine Arts Camp (Rhiannon Guevin, Young Performers Theater casts), members of Sitka Community Theater (Jack Petersen, Katherine Rose, Christian Litten), Sitka Studio of Dance (tap and jazz numbers) and local celebrities (Amy Ainslie, John Stein, Julia Smith).

Andrew Hames will be the MC for the evening. Catering is provided by the Nugget Restaurant.

Broadway Night is a fundraiser for the upcoming SCT play “The Book of Will.”

Tickets are $40 and available at Old Harbor Books. SCT is a project of the Greater Sitka Arts Council. Those with questions may call 738-0602.

 

Arbor Day Group

To Offer Trees

Sitkans are being offered 10 free flowering trees or five crapemyrtles when they join the Arbor Day Foundation any time during January.  

By becoming a part of the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, new members will receive 10 free flowering trees or five crapemyrtles. The flowering trees include: two Sargent crabapples, three American redbuds, two Washington hawthorns and three white flowering dogwoods.

“These stunning trees will beautify your home with lovely flowers of pink, yellow and white colors,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees are perfect for large and small spaces.”

The free trees are part of the Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.

Trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting, between Feb. 1 and May 31, with enclosed planting instructions. The 6- to 12-inch tall trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge, the foundation said. 

Members will receive a subscription to the foundation’s bimonthly publication, Arbor Day, and The Tree Book, which includes information about tree planting and care.

To become a member of the foundation and to receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution by Jan. 31 to: Ten Flowering Trees, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410.

Individuals also can join online at arborday.org/January.

 

Unitarians Meet

Hank Moore will present “Making Connections Through Music” at Sunday’s meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship.

Gathering begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m. Soup and bread follow at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street. All are invited to attend.  For more information, call 747-3702.

 

Library Sets Teen

Board Event Feb. 1

The Sitka Public Library Teen Advisory Board will hold an after-hours social event 5:45 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Feb. 1.

Members and others wanting to attend must have their waivers signed and turned in to the library by 6 p.m. Jan. 29.

Teens will engage in a variety of activities designed to further the mission of the board to promote teen services at Sitka Public Library by collection development and programming. The event will include, but not be limited to, officers election, games, music, movies PG13 (or less), and program planning.

 For information, call Maite at 747-4022.

 

Earns Degree

Joy Davis was one of more than 300 graduates who received a diploma at Harding University’s fall commencement ceremony Dec. 14.

Davis, a 2015 Sitka High School graduate, received a bachelor of arts in elementary education.

Harding University is a private Christian university located in Searcy, Arkansas.

 

 

Story Time Set

Preschool story time at Sitka Public Library will be offered 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.

 

‘‘I am a Tiger,’’ by Karl Newson, a story about a mouse with big ideas, will be one of the readings. The program includes rhymes, songs and a craft project. For information call Maite, 747-4022

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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