Candlemas Workshop Assortment
You remain invited to visit in my garage workshop. I’d be so happy to make coffee and visit, show you around, or discuss a project or learning you have in mind. Just call or write ahead to make sure I’ll be there on a given day.
And I have a few new class and retreat offerings listed on the website that you might enjoy.
In April, I will host a spring retreat with John Creasy (director of Garfield Community Farm and Pastor of The Open Door in Pgh PA) designed to help you step into practicing you faith more seasonally, informed by some ecological patterns and rhythms, as well as a few highlights from scripture. The retreat will include lodging and meals at the Priory Spirituality center, and the opportunity to prayer the liturgy of the hours with the St Placid Community.
In March, I’ll host a 3 hour class exploring the work of Hugh of St Victor as a guide for the integration of prayer, learning and the works of our hands, be they artistic, scientific, industrial, therapeutic or horticultural.
‘Spiritual Tools’ continues along with Janice Ariza. We will look at, learn about and pray with a few examples of labyrinths and earth-works in our online-session. In May we will lead an island pilgrimage to Vashon Island on the ferry, to walk a reproduction of the Chartres labyrinth there (and probably stop for coffee and treats!)
Visit the Priory Spirituality Center website to register for these. I hope to see you there!
Otherwise, You can contact me about trees I have for sale, or current projects. I’m finally starting to assemble those bat boxes we started back in September.There is no fast and easy way to cut a few hundred grooves to make the interior surfaces grippy for the bats. I tried a circular saw, but using a small carving chisel has turned out to be fastest and most effective. Slow, repetitive, grounding work. I welcome your ideas, and want to ask Bat Conservation Intl what they suggest….
Meanwhile I’m getting out parts for a cardboard model of a planked wooden boat. Lots of fun!
As I’ve talked with people here and around lately, I’ve noticed how people are already considering what Lenten plans might be good for this year. Eating more simply and donating the money saved to feed others, or cleaning, rising earlier to pray, or reading a book that feeds your life hidden with God. (Somehow the past few years I’ve always found some repetitive workshop task, like cutting lots of joints, or cleaning and repairing something, as my Lenten manual practice.)
Whatever it might be, consider discussing it with someone you trust to make sure it isn’t too much, or suits you, and will be something that helps to ground you in loving trust of God.
But before Lent, there’ still an opportunity for a holy feast burrowed into the church calendar!
February 2nd falls halfway between Christmas and the Feast of the Annunciation. It’s a celestial crossroads between winter solstice and spring equinox. Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Candlemas, and back where I’m from, it’s Groundhog day!
Maybe in the Pacific Northwest it could be Mountain Beaver day. So, what’s a good treat to serve for friends as you gather around a mountain beaver burrow to see what tidings from the earth the little creature brings? I’m thinking of a cake or cookies shaped like a large rodent that includes orange and chocolate. What to serve with them?…Hot Coffee? ..Nettle Tea?… Rye whiskey?…
May all the small, grounded creatures who know the way of the ground show us glimmers of their Master Critter, in whom all things hold together, and saves both human and beast, who shows us the way of ascent involves first descent, humility, ground-ed-ness and what lies under that.
