From Linda Anderson, Director
I have been musing
on the nature of community. Community is one of those words, one
of those concepts that we often refer to positively, but perhaps
not acknowledging either the highest possibilities or the real
difficulties in forming and maintaining it. Yet, deep down we
know, that community means the strength of unity to do the
work that needs to be done. It means arms to hold us when we
falter, a circle of healing, a circle of friends, someplace
where we can most be ourselves. (quote from Prayers for a
Thousand Years)
This summer as I
thoroughly enjoyed being a part of an extremely lively group
that lived together in community for almost a week at Calling
Lakes Centre, I experienced how people come to feel included,
how decisions grow almost biologically and how people’s deep
spiritual places are touched. The group at Summer@Centre
included part of my own family – Bill, my life partner, my son,
Kelly and his life-partner, Ruth, and the famous "grand-twins",
Natalie and Brigitte. Kel and family came from Massachusetts to
get away from the suffocating humidity and heat of summer
(oops!) and to visit with us. Experiencing the event at least
partly through the eyes of these "outsiders" helped me to
understand further the realities of inclusion. By the way, upon
their return home as their family reviewed the whole summer of
travel and fun, Natalie and Brigitte both named the waterslide
as the very best part of their summer holidays!
This year, the
community of the Calling Lakes staff has experienced change and
we are re-forming our staff team, our community. At a recent
staff meeting, Marleen offered a reading about how our inner
being pushes us and grows if we are attentive to all our
experiences. The reading was a catalyst for our team and we
celebrated and/or grieved with each person as we trusted one
another enough to share deeply from our lives. These were
precious moments that help us to live authentically in
community.
We are so blessed
here at Calling Lakes because our community stretches far beyond
the physical place that is the Centre. It is amazing to hear
people chatting as they register for an event, greeting one
another joyfully, so eager to engage and be part of this ongoing
community of seekers, learners, friends.
Sometimes
people show their love of the community through precious gifts
of art. Two examples of these gifts are described in this issue.
Sometimes people hold up our community by helping us with the
work of the Centre, offering their leadership, wisdom and
skills. Sometimes, actually often, people, Friends of the
Centre, you give us money that is absolutely
essential to our life.
I thank all of you
who contribute to our community and ask that this fall you will
again be able to generously give us the live-giving financial
resources that we need.
.........................................
