[ggc-urantialist] Re: More Yosemite
- From: Cristina Hutchins <cdhutchins94510@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "blackstocksara7@xxxxxxxxx" <blackstocksara7@xxxxxxxxx>, "ggc-urantialist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <ggc-urantialist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Diane Labrecque <dianelabrecque@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 17:14:37 -0700 (PDT)
Thank you Sara and Michelle, for sharing your experiences there in Yosemite. I
did not realize you had such a large gathering of folks. I'm sorry to have
missed it. I thought there might be 25 or so folks attending. It actually
sounds like it had a larger turnout than the summer study session at Techny
Towers. One of our Portland study group members attended the SSS and said less
than 200 folks attended that event.
Sara said, "There were about 10 young adults whose dedication and energy for
the truths of the revelation was indeed inspiring. They are afire, and yet so
grounded! And they also shared their musical talent with us." Those would be
the Millennials, the great hope for the future of the planet. They have been
compared to the Greatest Generation, of which my grandparents belonged. They
are indeed afire and well grounded. We are fortunate to have a young man from
that generation as a member of our Portland Study Group.
I hope there will be photos posted either though the GGC list or SocAdmin.
We didn't have any celebrations here in Portland. Jesus birthday fell midweek
and we didn't organize anything. We did have cake today in memory of Jesus.
Most of us took the time to reflect on Jesus on the actual day of his birth.
BTW Cheryl Zents, and her husband bought a condo here in Portland, where they
will be staying for several months out of the year (two of their kids and their
grandchildren are here). She has been attending our meetings and is a welcome
and valuable participant in our discussions.
I miss all my GGC brothers and sisters. Much love to you all.
Cristina Hutchins
Portland, OR
________________________________
From: Sara Blackstock <blackstocksara7@xxxxxxxxx>
To: ggc-urantialist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; Diane Labrecque <dianelabrecque@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 1:10 PM
Subject: [ggc-urantialist] More Yosemite
Thank you Michelle,
You captured the highlights with colorful descriptions of the FESTIVAL attended
by at least 200 participants from all over. Let me add a few notes of my
personal experiences. The Centering Retreat led by Gard the day before the
Festival began was a calming way for the 60 or so participants (it was supposed
to be only about 25) who attended. Gard held forth with his easy humor and
stories and led us in several times throughout the day of 20 minute sessions of
silence. "SILENCE" is God's language, was heard several times.
The music experience was exquisite and well organized. I believe I heard that
the group which included Christine Seaborn, Mary Ann Brundage, Robert Aponte,
Barbara Hester, Jonathan Johnson and David Brundage, had spend at least two
years preparing for this event, developing a format, for lack of a better word,
can be used at other retreats, conferences, study groups, etc. The spiritual
uplift of this music set the tone as we worshiped in the new day. And after
dinner we were treated to other singers and music also. A talent show on the
last night was a highlight with Paula Thompson reciting Jaberwocky along with
several other poems. Another touching moment of that evening was when Mona
Grimsley read several of Vern's poems, one of which is a favorite of mine:
"All humankind are one vast family, this world our home....."
The feeling of unity was palpable - even though there was folks representing
various opinions of the Urantia community, the differences of opinion were not
taken personally, and there was no negative emotional overlay that I
experienced. It really felt very familial, and that was Diane Labrecque's
desire. Her organization and energy throughout was a guiding light.
The gathering at the Grizzly Giant felt so deeply real and natural. My
favorite song was The Lord's Prayer. People coming up the path walked through
our group of 200 scattered around and seemed to feel subtle spiritual energy
and some stopped and reluctantly moved on. I have been to the Grizzly Giant
several times over the years and even though I have not seen anything unusual,
(nor did I expect to) knowing and believing that this is the spiritual
headquarters of the planet, with angels and midwayers coming and going,
visitors arriving to visit our planet, gave me a deep feeling of the awesome
reality of the spirit world just outside of our vision.
A depth of relaxation and spiritual nourishment was my experience one afternoon
when for a couple of hours next to a small tributary of the Merced River I lay
on a flat rock with my feet in a mini-water fall and the mantra going through
my mind and soul: "I am the living water."
There was a variety of ages and stages from a 2 year old to an 84 year old. We
were an extended family helping each other when the need arose. There were
about 10 young adults whose dedication and energy for the truths of the
revelation was indeed inspiring. They are afire, and yet so grounded! And
they also shared their musical talent with us.
Another highlight for me was the art lesson in the late afternoon with the able
mentors of Patrick Yesh and Teresa Mathias who brought all the materials for
many people to paint acrylic maybe for the first time in their lives. The 84
year old Chinese man was astounded that he could make a painting of trees and
rocks. He discovered the artist in himself and was quite thrilled.
And on it goes with the richness of relationships amidst the beauty of
Yosemite. We prayed for the firefighters and the people close to the huge
fire, which was far from Wawona, but a tragedy for those in it.
Diane Labrecque's excellent organization and leadership all the way through
made for a flowing smoothness of experience. She provided a venue for us to
have a real and deep experience on physical, mental and spiritual levels. And
she was ably assisted by Lisa Crowe. Thank you Diane and LIsa. It was a
testament to the unified coordination of many people with the goal of providing
an experience of spiritual family.
Sara
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