Wild Earth Spiritual Feb. 19th 2:30 Locust Grove

We’re back under 300-year-old Grandmother Sycamore at Locust Grove for an experience in group sharing and discernment.

For this first unplanned gathering, I will arrive without a theme and after a brief introduction, will only model facilitation as needed. For future mid-month gatherings, you will take turns in this role.

You are welcome to share as you feel called. For each of us, this is going to be a process of discernment. You might plan to share something only to “arrive” and not “feel” it. You may be inclined to do or say nothing or share something completely different from what you planned. Movement, music (singing, drumming, whistling), poetry or sharing part of your faith journey are among the many things welcomed.

We are practicing reading the group’s body language and sensing our own body, reading the group's energy levels and reading our own energy level, and being attentive to the flow of whatever unfolds. Perhaps someone shares something you’d like to ponder or experience more fully; this then may not be the time to jump in with your own planned sharing. Take the air’s temperature.

The facilitator ensures that we’ll have out 20 minute silent wander.

Practical stuff:

Read instructions re Locust Grove. There are steps to our spot. If you need help carrying your chair, let me know and I’ll make sure someone meets you at the top of the steps. No problem. Arrive early enough to walk to our spot.

Re SNACKS! We’ll roast fruit around the fire; I will bring coat hangers for roasting the fruit. Still need 1) someone to bring cut-up mangoes; 2) someone to bring cut-up pineapple. Email Sarah if you can help. Jon has volunteered to bring the bananas.

NOTE!

- The steps down to *our* Sycamore tree have been greatly improved. You may want to plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes before 2:30. There’s a walk to our spot.

LIABILITY

Your attendance at the event is understood to hold The Wild Earth Spiritual Community and its leaders harmless in case of illness, accident, or injury.

LOGISTICS/DETAILS

Gathering Times:

2:15 drumming or other spontaneous music. Bring an instrument or a song to share!

2:30 gathering begins

We’ll begin at 2:30 but do come early since there is a five-ten minute walk to our location.

What to bring:

• Camp chair
• Weather appropriate clothing
• Sturdy shoes
• Water and snack

We’re gathering at Locust Grove Nature Center, located just off of 270, Exit 1, Democracy Blvd. 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, Md. 20817.

After you pass Montgomery Mall, SLOW DOWN so you don’t miss the sign and right turn into the Nature Center.

Virginia friends, it’s not as far as you think! Just a little jaunt farther than Carderock.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early so you can make your way to our location.

Restrooms are available in the nature center. Since we’re a five - ten minute walk from the center, consider using the facilities before or after our gathering!

There are steps (with a handrail) to our location. Signs will guide you. Please talk or email Sarah if you’re torn about attending because of the steps. If you’d like someone to carry your chair down to the gathering, leave it at the top of the steps and we’ll send someone up to grab it. No problem!

Here are photos of the path to our site at Locust Grove:

Covid requirements:

Please abide by the following COVID-19 Safety Requirements:

We will not be able to supply hand sanitizer, insect spray, sunscreen or chairs. Hydrating is important. We will not have snacks or drinks to share. Please bring your own if you want or need any of these things.

Please do not attend if:

• You have tested positive for COVID-19 and are still suffering from COVID-19 or if symptoms have subsided and it has not been at least 10 days since the onset of symptoms before the gathering.
• You have had two or more symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days before the gathering.
• You have come in contact with anyone else with COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days before the gathering.
• You are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test or you are waiting for the symptoms to subside to the point of being recovered.
• You have tested positive for COVID-19 and are still suffering from COVID-19 or if symptoms have subsided and it has not been at least 10 days since the onset of symptoms before the gathering.
  

Host or Publisher Wild Earth Spiritual Community