Earthholders – Call to Gather

EARTHHOLDERS—CALL TO GATHER

 Over lattes, tea and chai, a gathering of Earthholders, met on December 19^th to celebrate the victory of de-commissioning Martin Drake and contemplating the future of Earthholders.  Our assembled group included Earthholders from three Buddhist sanghas,  complemented by the addition of recent arrivals to COS, long term community advocates, attendees at the David Loy lecture and retreat participants, and caring folks with shared values who begin to represent a broader swath of Colorado Springs…some of you joined us in spirit only, but we felt your energy, thank you.

After toasting our de-commissioning victory with coffee, tea, and chai, the celebration included highlights and backstory on the surprising 6-3 vote by the Colorado Springs Utilities Board. Did Earthholders make a difference….clearly yes!  Thank you for being an important part of a continuing ground swell to build a more sustainable community.  We acted on our convictions and contributed to the effort without knowing the outcome….in the words of Joanna Macy, ‘as we reach out to one another, our lives become more meaningful and satisfying.  We discover that we do not thrive or survive alone….but find that interdependence is at the foundation of reality.’ 

As a group we built on the lessons of the Climate Vigil with its outdoor meditation with eyes focused on Martin Drake.…the burning question is what comes next? Two themes emerged from the lively discussion…first, let’s improve our ability to effect change in our community and second, there is more to do at Martin Drake.  Not content to sit back, an action plan emerged that includes:

• Meeting time and place:  Stay indoors! meet on the third Saturday of each month…solution Quaker House is the site for meetings—950 E. Cimmaron, 9:30am starting January 16, 2016
• Contemplative framework to be maintained….the intent is to widen the circle to embrace diverse approaches but one that meditation/prayer/contemplation with personal responsibility and collective action
• Study of Active Hope by Joanna Macy….Intro and Chapter 1 with discussion lead by BarryNienstadt -book available locally and from Amazon.com

Please extend this open invitation to others who share our concerns and want to help shape the community…Coffee and Conversation…January 16, 9:30-11:00, 950 E. Cimmaron….hope you will find the time energy and reason to join us.  ‘And with each sunrise, the light is returning with a deep well of promise for a more sustainable future’….from Ann Grant Martin.

Sandy Vanderstoep for Earthholders

P.S. Please bring your own cup…tea, coffee, and hot water provided..