Well, the backyard has continued to be a lively place. The other day I watched as four squirrels chased each other, zooming across the full width of the back yard; each squirrel a perfect 6 feet from the other like they had choreographed it. They ran under the hedge that marks the left of the property – then turned around and still – perfectly equidistant to each other – dashed across the yard to the neighbors property on my right. Only to turn around and do the same thing over and over again.

 

I lost count of how many times they did this. Was this a game they were playing? Did they know I was watching them and did it for my amusement? They were a bit smaller than most of the squirrels I see so maybe they were brothers and sisters from this year’s litter and just playing as brothers and sisters do.

 

I also watched a rabbit taking a tall weed plant, bigger than itself, and commenced to eating the whole plant, leaves, stems and stalk. And the rabbit did it in a matter of minutes. Where did it find the space in its belly to eat all that? Amazing!

 

But the big news is that a while ago I saw a raccoon in the backyard. And it was big, lumbering along in that lumbering way racoons move. And interestingly, when the racoon was out there, everything turned quiet. It was like the animals and birds knew there was a larger animal in their midst.

We’ve had racoons before in the backyard. I remember one year when a rather rude racoon decided to use the backyard steps (leading up to the raised patio) as its bathroom. Just about every morning there was racoon spore on the stairs, no matter how many times I cleaned it up.

 

Raccoons are nocturnal so they’re rarely seen during the day. So it’s lucky that I saw one out my window. Or not. Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they will eat both plants and other animals, like mice and rabbits. I’m a bit worried because I haven’t seen my rabbits in the last few days. Racoons also rob bird nests and eat the bird eggs. Pretty much, a racoon will eat anything.

 

I’ve been wondering if the reason this racoon is so large is because it’s pregnant. This is the time of year when raccoons start giving birth to their young: in late spring and early summer.  So I’m keeping an eye out but I’m also hoping that this raccoon won’t eat the smaller critters.

 

In this sense, I’m with the prophet Isaiah, who dreamed of a day when

The wolf shall live with the lamb;

    the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

the calf and the lion will feed together,

    and a little child shall lead them.

The cow and the bear shall graze;

    their young shall lie down together;

    and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,

    and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.

They will not hurt or destroy

    on all my holy mountain,

for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord

    as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11: 6-9

 

And to that, I would add the racoons and critters in my backyard.

 

Yours in the journey,

Pastor Kristen

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                                     Announcements:

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SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND IS PENNY-PANTRY SUNDAY. The 4th Sunday of each month we as a church collect throughout the year for 4 different charities: The Bishop's Appeal, The Crete Food Pantry, PADS, and the Helping Hands Ministry.

 

                                            From April to June we are collecting for the Crete Food Pantry.  

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The Crete Food Pantry provides groceries twelve times a year to families in need who are residents of Crete Township on Wednesday mornings from 9-11a, at 1367 Wood Street, in Crete, IL. Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

 

 

HOTDOGS & CHIPS will be served on Sunday, June 29th, after church service by the women's club. All are welcome to attend. 

 

The CRETE UNITED THRIFT SHOP is open on Saturdays, from 9p- 3p.

 

FARMERS' MARKET: Monday nights, from June 16th through August 4th, rain or shine, 4-8:00 p.m., at Main & Exchange, in the church's parking lot.

 

The Crete Woman Club Art & Craft Fair with Garden Walk (July 11th, 2025) will not be held at the church's parking lot this year. Instead the Arts & Craft Fair, plus Garden Walk will be held at the Crete Public Library Pavilion at 1177 North Main Street, Crete, IL.  

 

 

                              News from the District: 

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MOVIE NIGHT- Saturday, June 14th, at 2p. You're invited to see the movie "A Question of Faith' at Wesley United Methodist Church, 201 East 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60619. Tickets cost $20 each, which includes movie, hot dogs, popcorn and drinks. 

 

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