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GreenSpirit Newsletter
www.greenspirit.org.uk
~ We are a network of people who practise loving our living planet ~
February 2024
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GreenSpirit Event: Save the dates: August 30th to September 4th 2024.
Snowdonia 5 Day Retreat
At Cae Mabon, Fachwen, Llanberis, Gwynedd. LL55 3HB
www.caemabon.co.uk/
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Reconnect with your body and unwind in nature, walk with friends, breathe fresh air, listen to birdsong, wander in shady oak woods and wild swim in a glistening lake whenever you feel like it, to say nothing of sharing delicious vegan and vegetarian food, songs and stories round the fire and a hot tub beside the rushing stream.
More details (cost etc) soon, but save the dates: August 30th to September 4th 2024.
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Spring Equinox - online
Monday 18th March at 19:00 GMT
The Spring Equinox, or Ostara, is also called the Vernal Equinox and has long been celebrated as a time of renewal and rebirth. It marks the first astronomical day of spring in the northern hemisphere.
At the moment of the spring equinox, the sun passes over the equator and continues northwards, on the autumnal equinox the sun crosses over the equator and continues its southward declination.
We celebrate the renewed life of the Earth that comes with the Spring. It is a solar festival, when the length of the day and the night are equal. Maybe bring some thing that epitomises spring for you, and wear bright colours if you wish.
The facebook event is at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/400314039159747/
Join us on Zoom to celebrate the Spring Equinox. The zoom details are:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84079414983?pwd=cHFmYld6cFl6OUl0UkJlMnpYMEhndz09
Meeting ID: 840 7941 4983
Passcode: 413541
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Trustee Recruitment
GreenSpirit is celebrating nearly 30 years at the forefront of change, and we are seeking ways of expanding our reach, looking to recruit new Trustees (Council Members) who can help us diversify our appeal to wider audiences. We are particularly keen to talk to younger people and those who might come from, or who are connected to, minority and underrepresented communities.
Do you have a passion for our unique and beautiful planet and hold a desire to be the change you want to see in our world? Might you feel called to play an active role in our small dynamic environmentally/spiritually based charity? If so please get in touch and we can have a conversation about what is expected of a trustee and, most importantly, how YOUR unique passion, skills and interests can blossom amongst us. We’re waiting to hear from you!
Please contact the chair – Janice Every - janiceevery@gmail.com.
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Conversation Cafe - online
Sunday 18th February 19:00 - 20:15 GMT
https://www.facebook.com/events/1058823708774733
Jenny Joyce & Hilary Norton invite you to join our "Conversation Café" - a simple, hospitable, empathetic space where feelings & uncertainties about our future and the complexities of our world can be safely expressed. World events impact us all in many ways, and it can be hard to share our thoughts and feelings. We don't have the answers, but sharing helps us to build some resilience to deal with inevitable changes. This is an advice-free zone where all feelings are welcome!
Feel free to bring a cuppa, biscuits, etc.
For the zoom link, contact Hilary Norton at: hnorton@greenspirit.org.uk
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GreenSpirit Calendar 2024:
Living with the Seasons
There are a few 'end of stock' calendars for a reduced rate - please see below.
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/community-calendar
The 2024 GreenSpirit Calendar: Living with the Seasons is on sale.
If you are a GreenSpirit member, you should have received the calendar as part of your membership subscription. If you are not a member, you can join GreenSpirit here:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/join-us/
Anyone (including non members) can buy one or more copies of the calendar by credit/debit card or cheque (in the UK). The 'end of stock' cost is:
* £6.00 by post in the UK
* £12.50 by post overseas
To pay by credit/debit card, go to:
https://greenspirit.enthuse.com/calendar2024#!/
To pay by cheque in the UK please make your cheque payable to “GreenSpirit” and include the address that you want the calendar(s) sent to. Send your cheque and details to GreenSpirit, 137 Ham Park Road, Forest Gate, London. E7 9LE.
Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery in the UK and 3 weeks abroad.
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2024 is the 25th Anniversary Year of GreenSpirit Magazine
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2024 is the 25th Anniversary Year of GreenSpirit Magazine, which is free for members, and is published in both print and electronic format. Every issue includes essential topics connected with Earth-based spirituality.
For more information about the magazine, see:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/magazine/
and
https://www.facebook.com/greenspiritmagazine
We will have a special 25th Anniversary edition of the magazine with the Spring 2024 edition which will be published in March.
To get your copies of the magazine, either buy the most recent magazine as an individual copy here or join GreenSpirit here and also enjoy all of the other benefits of membership.
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Book Reviews
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/bookreviews2/
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by Alan Weeks
Reviewed by Piers Warren.
The author, Alan Heeks, has decades of experience of helping people with their wellbeing through Nature. He is also an experienced gardener, has run an organic farm, and aptly subtitles this book ‘Use Organic Gardening Skills to Cultivate Yourself.’ As an organic gardener for many years myself, I appreciated his description of techniques such as composting, crop rotation, mulching and so on in relation to our own states of mind and how we mentally approach our lives and the various challenges that may arise. As the title suggests, this book is about cultivating happiness in the same way we cultivate our gardens, but it certainly doesn’t shy away from difficult and sometime overwhelming issues such as climate change and possible future societal breakdown.
Click here for the full review.
This title will be released on 29th March 2024.
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by Stina Gray
Reviewed by Ian Mowll.
This book is written by Swedish storyteller Stina Gray and is about storytelling, her personal journey and our connection with the Earth. What I like about the book is the way that storytelling is shown to be an important and deep part of our journey through life. For me, the book came most alive with the stories and their meaning. Rather like the book Women Who Run with the Wolves stories are narrated and, where appropriate, their meanings unpacked. I sometimes shiver with delight when I read such stories and then I have a deep emotional gasp when I come across some new insight as to their meaning. On page 9 she says: “Stories do that – they reach deep, deep down into your depths and bring old, wild and forgotten things up to the surface. They move us with a love and intelligence that knows what we are ready to face”. This is so much needed in our spiritually deadened society which has made such a god of science and technology.
Click here for the full review.
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GreenSpirit Book
Edited by Ian Mowll and Santoshan (Stephen Wollaston)
Awakening to Earth-Centred Consciousness shares personal stories, engages thoughtfully with green topics, and provides insightful teachings about our interconnected relationships with the natural world. A wide range of major subjects are covered such as green burials, veganism, raising green awareness in the Amazon, elephant protection, ecopsychology, and how Nature can heal us.
This book encourages us to embrace an inclusive, compassionate and mindful spirituality – one that leads to interacting with profound levels of life and Nature, of which we are all wondrously interwoven and a part, and the essential obligations this brings for responsible Gaia-centred living.
Click here for more details of this book and how to buy it.
Browse all of the titles in the GreenSpirit book series here:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/books-greenspirit-book-series/
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https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/saving-life-on-earth/
Make a Difference One Small Step at a Time
There are so many little things we can all do to reduce our impact on Planet Earth, live more ethically and lower our carbon footprint to help reduce climate change. It may seem overwhelming but by tackling things one small step at a time we can all make a difference. In each newsletter we’ll focus on just one action you can think about tackling today.
Holidays
In two words Stop Flying! Is it really worth the massive amount of carbon released into the atmosphere just to have a privileged short period of fun or relaxation? Many people enjoy holidaying in their own countries but if you really want to travel abroad, try going via ship and rail or bus – you’ll see far more of the countries you pass through.
You can explore a whole range of other possibilities in our Green Action Toolkit at:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/saving-life-on-earth/
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Join GreenSpirit
Including the magazine, GreenSpirit calendar: living with the seasons, GreenSpirit members email newsletter and many other advantages.
£24 per annum or £12 for internet (paperless) subscribers or concessionary rate in the UK.
Click here to find out more and to join
Plus:
Free book when you join GreenSpirit!
Join GreenSpirit and you will receive a free copy of What is Green Spirituality? along with the GreenSpirit magazine, calendar and all of the other advantages of membership. See all of the advantages of membership here:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/join-us/#benefits
What is Green Spirituality? describes and illustrates, through the well-blended voices of thirteen writers, the basic concepts and expressions of this growing kind of spiritual attitude in today’s world – what it is, where it comes from and who practises it. More details at:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/books-greenspirit-book-series/#wigs
To join GreenSpirit, click on the link below:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/join-us/
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February Image and Quotation
Photo © Piers Warren
I believe that the universe is one being, all its parts are different expressions of the same energy, and they are all in communication with each other, influencing each other, therefore parts of one organic whole.
~ David Hinton
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/community-calendar/
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GreenSpirit Annual Gathering 2024
Date for your diary
18th - 20th October 2024
Shallowford House, Shallowford, Stone, Staffs. ST15 0NZ
https://www.shallowfordhouse.org/
More details in due course.
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A full list of local groups is here:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups2/
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East London
Dawn Walk
Sunday 17th March 2024: 5:30am - 8:00am
Wanstead Park, London, E11.
We are going for a (nearly) Spring Equinox walk and hoping to see the sunrise at 6am-ish. Meet at Wanstead Park 5.30am, where Wanstead Park Avenue meets Northumberland Avenue. We'll have breakfast together afterwards. For more info call or text Hilary 07957318501. The facebook event is here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/869743135162068
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Help with Local Groups
If you would like some mentoring around starting or running a local group, Chris Newsam (newcircles12(at)gmail.com or tel: 01653 693913) is happy to help.
Hilary Norton (hnorton(at)greenspirit.org.uk or tel: 07957 318501) is happy to help update your website presence on the GreenSpirit local groups website: www.greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups2
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Starting up a GreenSpirit Local Group
Have you thought of starting up your own GreenSpirit Local Group? People are often looking for meaningful contact with others who share green spiritual values. You can style your group in the way that you want, be that following the Celtic Wheel of the Year, meditations, reading group, walks in Nature, discussion group, circle dances – or whatever it is that inspires you. Here are some ideas for meetings:
www.greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups2/resources/ideas-for-meetings/
And here is a page with ideas for online/zoom meetings:
www.greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups2/resources/ideas-for-meetings/ideas-for-zoom-meetings/
And this is what you need to do to start a local group:
https://www.greenspirit.org.uk/localgroups2/about/
If you want to know more or have any questions about starting a GreenSpirit group, please contact:
Hilary Norton: hilarynorton(at)btinternet.com tel: 07957 318501
Chris Newsam: newcircles12(at)gmail.com tel: 01653 693913
Ian Mowll: info(at)greenspirit.org.uk tel: 0208 552 2096
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The first thing I have discovered about simplicity is that it grows from within, like a tree.
~ Marian Van Eyk McCain
Quotation from The Lilypad List: Seven Steps to the Simple Life by Marian Van Eyk McCain.
12th title in the GreenSpirit book series, which is a low-cost series that offers ebook editions ‘free’ for members of GreenSpirit.
For more details of this book visit the GreenSpirit Book Series web page here.
Or find out about the whole book series on the facebook page here.
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Natural Happiness: Use Gardening Skills to Cultivate Yourself
Facilitated by Alan Heeks
19 - 21 April 2024 at Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking, Stroud
https://www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/event/natural-happiness/
In these uncertain times, this workshop will help you deepen your roots and grow your resilience. With sessions in Hawkwood’s gardens, you’ll experience how organic skills like composting, mulching, and co-creativity can feed your wellbeing amid daily stresses and big issues like climate change. Based on Alan’s new book, which harvests his work in organic farming and forestry.
Alan has been exploring resilience with people and nature for many years, and has led many groups on this theme, drawing on experience of resilient natural systems from creating an organic farm and setting up Hazel Hill Wood, near Salisbury. For more info and bookings click here.
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Spring Forward 2024: An Inside/Outside Retreat
28th – 31st March 2024
At The Barn in the Dyfi Valley, Near Machynlleth, Mid Wales, UK
With Facilitator Guides/Artists: Fern Smith & Philip Ralph
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Spring Forward 2024 is a respectfully held, spacious, guided, small-group retreat intended to support an intentional decision to: ‘Step into the Light, Marking the Moment, Making an Intention.’ The retreat takes place to coincide with that special time in the UK when the clocks are turned forward one hour and we mark the start of ‘British Summer Time’.
This is an extra special year in that the Spring Forward retreat also coincides with the Easter weekend. This gives the retreat a particular focus of also being available to noticing and marking what is ‘dying’ and what is ‘being born’ in you.
Click here for more information.
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The Element Festivals: Celebrating Nature's Fundamental Forces
The Element Festivals are a series of annual events, each dedicated to one of the four Western Elements – Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. These Festivals provide individuals and groups with an opportunity to express their gratitude, connection, and reverence for Elements that play a role in spiritual and daily life.
Each of the four Element Festivals is dedicated to honouring and celebrating the power of the respective Element. Participants are encouraged to engage in various activities, such as rituals, artwork creation, parties, environmental and conservation activities or simply appreciating and connecting with the specific Element.
The Festivals are spaced throughout the year, not too close to existing festivals and seasonally relevant to the UK.
Key Dates:
- Festival of Air: Spring, the Sunday closest to February 23rd.
- Festival of Fire: Summer, the Sunday closest to May 25th.
- Festival of Water: Autumn, the Sunday closest to August 20th.
- Festival of Earth: Winter, the Sunday closest to November 25th.
The inaugural Festival of Air is set to take place on February 25th, 2024.
For additional information, please get in touch with Adrian: adrian@gn.apc.org
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Changing our Minds: Learning to be Ecozoic
A season of free on-line conversations from St James' Piccadilly, London.
We are living in a polycrisis that threatens to overwhelm us. We need profound change in our understanding and behaviour if future generations are to have a liveable future. The ancient Greeks’ had a word for this kind of change: Metanoia, a transformative change of heart or spiritual conversion.
Thanks to the generosity of our conversationalists these events are offered free of charge. Each session starts at 6.00pm UK time and lasts about 75 minutes.
Our conversationalists:
In conversation with Dr Lyla June Johnston, Diné Nation
Sunday 18 February 6pm GMT
Indigenous sciences of sustainability: ancient native food systems & their lessons for the future
In conversation with Prof Jim Perkinson and Prof Lily Mendoza
Sunday 10 March 6pm GMT
Indigenous sacralities underneath state ideologies: reading the bible, reading modernity
In conversation with Sandy Bigtree, Mohawk Nation, and Prof Philip P Arnold
Sunday 14 April 6pm BST
Changing Our Minds
For full details and how to register, go to:
https://www.sjp.org.uk/earth-justice/changing-our-minds/
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A new group is being started about once a month with the first session on 2nd March 2pm - 4pm. If you are interested, please contact Mary Jo Radcliffe at:
maryjoradcliffe@icloud.com
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Creation Spirituality Communities
Reimagining our Story, Hope for the New Humanity
~ The Gathering 2024 ~
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So far, what I most love about this way of life is having more time, flexibility and autonomy for the things that really matter to me. For me this has been as much a spiritual journey and awakening as anything else.
~ Sally Lever on Downshifting in the West Country
Quotation from The Rising Water Project: Real Stories of Flooding, Real Stories of Downshifting. Compiled and with a Foreword by Ian Mowll.
Seventh title in the GreenSpirit book series, which is a low-cost series that offers ebook editions ‘free’ for members of GreenSpirit.
For more details of this book visit the GreenSpirit Book Series web page here.
Or find out about the whole book series on the facebook page here
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Positive News
There is lots of good news including EU emissions nosedived.
Click here for the news.
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Veganic Gardeners Question Time
Click here for the catch up Youtube video
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The Ecozoic Way
Understanding and Applying the Essential Teachings of Thomas Berry
with Herman Greene, JD, DMin
Eight Week Course
March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22 (7:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern Time - USA)
Click here for full details.
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Spiritual Ecology Conference
29th June 2024 - all day
St Ethelburga's 78 Bishopsgate, London. EC2N 4AG
Join us for a 1-day conference exploring the connections between spirituality, ecology and peacemaking.
Keynotes by: René August, Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, Dekila Chungyalpa and Clare Martin and more to be confirmed.
Click here for full details.
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Cana Conscious Conversations
Saturday 20th April 2024, 10.30-12.30 by zoom
Diarmuid O’Murchu
‘Exploring spirituality today’
Click here for more details.
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Luminosity 2.0 The Evolution
A Music-Alchemy Journey into the creativity of the cosmos, the wonder of the universe and the miracle that is your human life.
21st April 2024 7:00pm
St Peter's Church, Northchurch Church Terrace, London N1 4DA
https://garyalbertmusic.com/tickets
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GreenSpirit
137 Ham Park Road, Forest Gate, London
United Kingdom
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You received this email because you signed up on our website or joined GreenSpirit.
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