Dec
21
3:30 PM15:30

Welcoming the Light: A Winter Solstice Gathering

On the night of Sunday, December 21st, amidst the rush of the season, the board of directors at Spirit in Nature invites you to pause and hold space for contemplation. Follow the lantern-lit path to the Sacred Circle, joining friends and neighbors in the warmth of community around a fire. Pour yourself a cup of tea. Let’s share poetry, words of encouragement, stories, song. Write down any hopes you may have for the future, or anything you’d like to release, and give them to the fire. Let’s look for the light in the darkness. This year, a member of the Potawatomi Nation will share Indigenous stories of the winter solstice. We will also tune in to what’s going on in nature in this season. Supplies will be on offer to make edible ornaments for the animals, and we’ll decorate a Christmas tree together as a gift for them. Young or old, of any faith or none at all, all are most welcome! We will gather at 3:30pm. Consider bringing a flashlight, and perhaps a poem, a song, or a thought to share. We’ll close our time together with the singing bowl at 5:30pm.

 
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Jun
20
7:30 PM19:30

Summer Solstice and Insect Blacklighting

On the summer solstice, Friday, June 20th, the board of directors at Spirit In Nature invites you to pause and welcome the change in season. Follow the lantern-lit path to the Sacred Circle, joining friends and neighbors in the warmth of community around a fire. Pour a cup of tea and hold space for contemplation. Let’s share poetry, words of encouragement, stories, song. Write down any hopes you may have for the future, or anything you’d like to release, and give them to the fire.

There will be a reading of the picture book The Raft by Jim LaMarche, a beautiful meditation on one boy’s growing relationship with the natural world around him. And as the sun sets, we will set up a blacklight observation area further down the path to survey the diversity of amazing insects that share this land with us.

Young and old, of any faith or none at all, are most welcome! Consider bringing a flashlight, and perhaps a poem or a thought to share. Also, if you’d like to visit the insect observation area, we ask that you don’t wear bug spray.

We will start gathering at 7:30 pm, and as the sun sets around 8:30 pm we’ll begin monitoring insect activity. We’ll close our time with the singing bowl around the fire at 9:30 pm, but please feel free to stay with the insects as long as you like.

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Apr
5
1:00 PM13:00

Thinking About Sticks

Sit around a fire in the Sacred Circle with Lorraine Bessner, Professor of Philosophy at Middlebury College, to think about how noticing things with curiosity and creativity can add psychological richness to your life. This event is part of Vermont Public Philosophy Week. (note: originally planned for Sun Mar 30th; re-scheduled to Sat. April 5th because of the ice)

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Mar
22
5:30 PM17:30

Spring Equinox Gathering

Celebrate the Spring Equinox and affirm the renewal of life and hope. Follow the lantern-lit path to the Sacred Circle. Activities include sharing hot tea around the fire, seed-planting, offerings of poetry and song, meditation, and read-aloud story “Gluskonba and the Maple Syrup” by Joseph Bruchac. This event will close with the Singing Bowl. All ages are welcome.

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Dec
21
3:30 PM15:30

Winter Solstice Gathering

“Welcoming the Light” - Follow the candle-lit path to the campfire at the Sacred Circle at SpIN; bring a flashlight, poem, thought or story to share; enjoy companionship of neighbors and friends as we honor the Winter Solstice. Hot tea and snacks provided. All ages welcome. Watch a 7-minute video of the event: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6nMYjhn-xMOAfNaLkTVfvtEsHOqyuOh/view?usp=gmail

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May
12
2:00 PM14:00

Annual Meeting, Symposium and Eco-Spirit Award

This event was held at the Ripton Community Center, Route 125, Ripton Vermont. Eco-Spirit Awards for 2024 were presented to Bethany Barry, Brett Gillman and Fran Putnam for their work on Pollinator Pathway of Addison County. The transcript and photos from the Symposium "From Hope to Happening” are available; click here: EcoSpiritSymposium2024

Video of the entire SpIN Annual Meeting 2024 -Enter this passcode after clicking on the Zoom link: m#6WS@5Q

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