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Howard E. Ullery Jr.

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Our recent “church field trip” to the Monarch Sculpture Garden was a real treat.  Wandering through the garden was both refreshing and stimulating.  In gallery and grounds, sculptures of all kinds bring grace, mystery, beauty, surprise, creativity, and hyperbole to eye and heart.  Brilliant skies, warm sunshine, meadows of wildflowers, always present evergreens, mountains and streams set a wonder-filled stage. The reverberating tones of gongs and Japanese bells soothe the spirit. In so many ways, the Garden calls for a shift in perspective, a mood of introspection and a sense of humor.  All of this, plus good companions made for a delightful and relaxing time.

There was something more as well.  Having fun together was certainly enough, but I found myself reflecting beyond that.  For good or ill, an aspect of pastoral work is finding connections, so thinking about this Garden experience led to seeing similar qualities in our sacred story.  Biblical writings are filled with elements of grace and mystery, hyperbole and surprise, beauty and creativity.  The Biblical story repeatedly calls for new ways of seeing and deep self-awareness, along with a healthy dose of humility and wonder.

Through elegant shapes and natural backdrop, the Monarch Sculpture Garden emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, spirit and substance.  The Biblical story bridges those realms as well.  Life and sacred story, art and inspiration are never far apart.  Sometimes the meaning is crystal clear, sometimes it’s more obscure, but in the story, as in the art, is all we need to live in joy.

                                                                                    Peace, Howard