Lessons From Landscapes

A month or so ago, my spring travels found me in Pittsburgh, PA. I was attending the Festival of
Homiletics as both an attendee and a host of a Chrysalis Counseling For Clergy booth. I have
attended this event for several years and I have developed a fondness for this gathering for many
reasons: 1) For the ecumenical gathering aspect and 2) For the physical annual shift in location
that allows for a person like me to see parts of the country I may not otherwise consider.

A few things to note about the City of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh is known for its industrial past, and
the city’s landscape is marked by a bold juxtaposition of old steel mills and modern skyscrapers.
The transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a hub of innovation and green spaces
demonstrates a community’s ability to dominate and reshape its environment. Pittsburgh’s
landscape design reflects resilience and reinvention, showcasing how a community can assert its
presence and adapt over time. This city is intrigued to me, and I initially could not name what it
was that gave me pause, but I believe it has something to do with the very counter-cultural aspect
to the environment in which I live – the two cityscapes are simply two very different places
culturally and architecturally, and I think the two have something to do with one-another.
In contrast to Pittsburgh, the NM lanscape in which I live and have been raised in, is renowned
for its unique architectural style and harmonious relationship with the natural environment. The
adobe buildings, with their earth-toned hues, seamlessly blend with the desert landscape. The
area’s design philosophy emphasizes sustainability and respect for the surrounding ecosystem.
Here, community members often prioritize integration with their environment, reflecting a desire
to be part of a greater whole rather than to stand out (although there are always the exceptions!).
This approach fosters a sense of unity and continuity with the past and nature.

As I reflect on these two environments, I am reminded of how we as people show up and
approach others and situations in our communities. What lessons are we to learn from the
landscape and architecture in which we dwell? Do we show up with a sense of resilience and
reinvention much like that of Pittsburgh PA, or do we show up in a more harmonious and
unifying manner as is displayed in the cities and towns of NM? Or, do we choose to blend the
two depending on our mood or context?

I think we have a great deal to learn from our experiences – both our experiences with people
and in our experiences of observation of culture and landscape. My wish for you this week is that
you reflect on how you embody your experiences and observations in this world, and how they
make you who we are in how you show up in this world.