Remembering Dr. Jane Goodall (1934–2025)

“Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes a difference. Each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives, and above all, show respect and love for living things around us, especially each other.”

― Jane Goodall, Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey

Jane Goodall was one of my childhood heroes. A funny fact about me: because of Jane, as a young child, I used to collect stuffed animal monkeys. I probably had 30 or 40 of them!

Dr. Jane became known around the world for her 65-year study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. In 1960, she made the groundbreaking discovery that chimpanzees not only use but also create tools. She observed them stripping the leaves off twigs to “fish” for termites. This is significant, because at the time, science held the belief that tool-making was uniquely human. Her discovery fundamentally redefined what it meant to be human and helped widened our understanding of the connections and similarities we had to all of God's creation.

But Jane showed us much more than tool use. She revealed that chimpanzees express emotions such as grief, joy, rage, and reconciliation. Through her work, she forced us to re-examine many of the definitions that were linked to humans alone, such has intelligence, morality, and meaningful relationships. She awakened us to the urgent need to protect chimpanzees, along with countless other species and ecosystems, from extinction.

What made her so inspiring was not only her brilliance, but also her way of connecting with and respecting all creatures. She reminded us that every living being is worthy of compassion, care, and respect. For many of us, she sparked a lifelong love of animals and nature. She helped us realize we are still only beginning to get a glimpse at the vast intelligence, beauty, and mystery held by the living world. Sometimes we just need to take the time to look with love and curiosity to discover what has been there all along. Paying attention and not looking away are forms of activism in of themself.

So today, as we remember and honor Dr. Jane Goodall, I find myself asking: How are we called to be stewards of this Earth? How can we continue to learn to see every living thing as part of the greater family to which we all belong? How do we remember that there isn’t a day that goes by where we do not have an impact on this planet?

So let us remember that each of us, ourselves included, has the power to shape the future we long for. We are ones we have been waiting for. We must care for all living things. We must believe that the greatest and most loving discoveries of our world are still ahead of us. And these discoveries that will come if we continue to look with curiosity, humility, and care.

Rest in power, Jane. Thank you for showing us another way of living and being. Thank you for showing us your love.

With love,
Pastor Eli

Today and everyday, I hope you know that you are worthy of God’s love, abundance, and grace. The way you show up in this world matters: to me, to our church and wider community, and to this world. You carry a spark of the Divine within you. You are not only loved, you are deeply needed.

Let this Pride, be a reminder that Pride is for everyone, gay, straight, cis, trans, bi, ace, or any other identity. Pride is a celebration of the courage it takes to be who you are. Let it be a reminder that we are all called to live more freely, more fully, more truthfully. Your truest self, the one that sometimes hides, the one that’s learning to speak, to sing, and to shine deserves to be known, seen, and embraced. Not just by others, but by you.

Every time you show up as yourself, even when it's hard or scary, you make space for others to do the same. This is sacred work. It is holy and transformative. You are not a disruption, you are a revelation.

Several years ago, on June 1st, the first day of Pride month, I got the word courage tattooed on my wrist. I needed the reminder that I could be afraid and still live as my whole self. That I could be tender and brave at the same time. That I was far from alone, that thousands had come before me walking this same path of authenticity, and thousands will come after. That we are never alone in the struggle to be seen and loved as we are.

This Pride, I hope you embrace the tenderest parts of yourself, the parts that need nurturance, patience, and compassion. Those are the parts that make you most human, most holy. I hope you know how loved you are in this world. How much you matter. How your presence, exactly as you are, makes this world more beautiful and more whole.

I know how hard this world can be, how isolating and how unforgiving. And I also know the unbelievable healing that can come through connection that happens within beloved community. Beloved Community is not a dream that is far out there, but it is something we create together, day by day, in the way we show up for ourselves and one another.

Baba Sheikh Farid once said, “I thought I was alone who suffered. I went on top of the house, and found every house on fire.” So when you feel alone, trust you are not. When you feel like the weight is all on you, know it isn't. When you doubt if you're doing enough, remember that your very existence, your honest presence, is more than enough.

You are God’s light in this world, radiant, needed, and beloved. The world needs your voice. It needs your story. It needs your authenticity. It needs you.

In Love and Solidarity,
Pastor Eli