Over the entrance of the Colquitt, Georgia emergency services department hangs a sign reading: "When Called, We Respond."February 2-5 people will gather in Colquitt responding to another call, a call to care for Mother Earth through the arts of storytelling, community building and social change. In it's 6th year, the Building Creative Communities Conference will feature Peggy Rubin founder of the Center for Sacred Theater in Ashland, Oregon and workshops on Social Artistry with Jan Sanders, Community Storytelling with Dr. Richard Geer, Community Development with Dr. Tim Chapin and presentations on local food initiatives. See the link below for scheduling, registration, etc.
Nearer home in Middle TN this weekend, Jan. 14/15, bird lovers far and wide gather for the TN Sandhill Crane Festival in Birchwood, TN to see and hear the literal calls of 1,000's of sandhill cranes wintering at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. This year's a special treat as endangered whooping cranes and a lone hooded crane found in Asia are present at the refuge also. Already in the past month visitors from 35 states and five countries have seen and heard these amazing birds that are 2.5 million years old. (Sandhill crane fossils are one and a half times older than the earliest remains of most living species of birds.) A link's provided below for directions, hours and activities planned through the weekend.
Both the cranes and Colquitt share great story. Sandhill cranes have returned from the verge of extinction while Colquitt like so many small towns on the verge of dying has been resurrected by "Swamp Gravy" a yearly changing play written and performed by community members now in its 18th year.
Whether reviving small towns or wildlife, love stirs the call to respond, love for one's community and for nature. Yet there lies a deeper beauty and grace-filled gift in responding to calls such as those presented by Colquitt and the cranes. As we rescue our winged kin and small towns, we are personally rescued and revived. Our hearts, minds and imaginations are invigorated and our personal ties strengthened.
We are called more than ever today to show up and wake up to the revival of great story, a story of creativity, community, cooperation and collaboration, a story of great love unfolding on Earth.
Today we are called. How do you respond?
Get yourself to the TN Sandhill Crane Festival, Jan. 14-15 8am -6pm. See link for a schedule of presentations at the Birchwood Elementary School and Native American presentations at the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park
And seriously consider attending Building Creative Communities Conference in Colquitt, GA.
These events are inspiring, stirring and part of today's Good News.
-Dawn, The Good News Muse 10 January 2012
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