The Parable of the Bee and the Foxglove
Water what’s growing…
I sit on my porch taking in the abundance of green and observing the incremental bloom of the flowers in my somewhat raggedy and troubled garden. Meanwhile in the midst of a plethora of commentary, news, bombs, I’m inspired to put my pinky finger in a foxglove blossom. The sensuous just-so fit of my skin against this delicate bloom. Earlier in the day I observed a bee going in and out of the foxgloves, collecting nectar and pollen, and even taking a nap.
Water What Is Growing
When I was ordained an Episcopal priest, the Right Rev. Paul Moore, Jr. Bishop of the Diocese of NY gave us ordinands a charge. He looked us all in the eye from the pulpit of the Cathedral of St John the Divine and said, “You will face many choices as priests, with a vast number of people and projects and needs.” He paused and then continued, “Water what is growing.”
Many times in my life since that day, I’ve returned to this touchstone. And I offer it to all of us in this moment, as we/you survey what is growing in your life, the life of your community, of the world.
As a pollinator, I see my vocation to source / traverse the expanse of many initiatives, communities and a million other things. And here is one prevailing truth that the bee and the foxglove offer me this morning: no matter how heartbreakingly, tragically, we live this catastrophe of being human, there is always some source of beauty and love.
The Nectar of Beauty
Bees survive in community because they are drawn to Beauty.
In our sacred ceremonies and Sanctuary Group meetings at Gateway House, in my one-on-one consultations with The Outer Edge clients, we ARE listening, witnessing, building resilient local community.
And what does Beauty look like, taste like to us?
It looks and tastes like standing for:
*A world where diversity is at the core essence of creation.
*Creating community in which people are free to be their true selves.
* Bearing witness to the truth of what is so in ourselves, our communities, and in the world.
*A world in which wealth and power are decolonized into a new economy of equity.
*The enduring truth that Love is the profound essence of this great matrix of the Universe.
In this, together we embrace the collaboration, cohesion and tenacity that are required to bring sacredness into political space.
And so I will continue to invite you:
Be where you are.
Find the Beauty and Love where you are.
Keep growing in close intimate connection with your Beloveds in all forms.
Together we have to hold the Center that Life is relentless, it will always find a way.
Upcoming Events in July and Beyond...
Kaleidoscopic Constellations
& the Sacred Language of Object Altars
Saturday, July 12th, 10AM - Noon
at the Rail Trail Cafe
Stone Mountain Farm 310 River Road Ext, New Paltz, NY
A workshop for healing, ritual, and ancestral alignment at the Rail Trail Cafe, Rosendale, NY
There is a language beyond words—spoken in symbols, shadows, and the silent presence of what came before us. In this immersive workshop, we enter that liminal space through the art of object altars and the healing field of Kaleidoscopic Constellations.
Many of us know the Rail Trail Cafe as a beloved site that welcomes all, providing a meaningful context as we gather community in its landscape. Together in this space we will call in the wisdom of our lineages, illuminating inherited stories and soul entanglements. Through intentional placement of meaningful objects we create altars that speak the unspeakable, and honor what longs to be seen, released, or embraced.
In this sacred circle, we will:
Experience the subtle field of Family Constellations in an intimate, symbolic way
Learn to create personal object altars as portals of remembrance and resonance
Participate in ritual, guided constellations, and deep intuitive listening
Reconnect with ancestral gifts, patterns, and inner alignments ready to unfold
Suggested Donation: $20
LEARN MORE
CEREMONY WITH GATEWAY HOUSE:
Gateway House produces Celtic Turn of the Wheel events, performative arts and ceremonies, community networking, food, and fire, followed by performances on our Gateway House stage.
Gateway House logo designed by Mirabai Trent!
Gateway House Sanctuary Meeting
Thursday, July 10th | 6:30 pm
May we come together to share ideas and resources on how respond in this critical time. Gateway House is committed to holding sanctuary within ourselves, our communities and our world.
Gateway House Sanctuary Group is evolving into a deep and performative practice, meeting almost every 2 weeks. We now have a name, the Sanctuary Sparks. At our meetings we share the various initiatives in which each of us are engaged. We learn music and drumming rhythms to take out into events and actions. From there we take our collective presence into the political arena of these times.
Join us!
RSVP 845-417-5430
Community Contributions
We invite your support of Gateway House's work and mission with gratitude for all who participate in offering their energy and talent.
The way you look at things changes the things you look at.
Constellations is a beautiful way of seeing how our past histories inform our present views. This work enables us to source a Kaleidoscopic gaze. One shift, one slight turn allows the luminous fragments of our life to be beheld in a wholly different view.
Learn more about this work here.
Monthly In-Person Group
Saturday, July 19 | 3 – 6PM | $50
Gateway House, 12 Fairview Ave, Rosendale
Space is limited; Advance registration is now required.
Please fill out this Registration Form below at least 4 days prior.
Upcoming Groups: *usually every 3rd Saturday
• Saturday, July 19
• Saturday, August 16
One-On-One Sessions
With one-on-one sessions of Kaleidoscopic Constellations, this offers you the opportunity to go deeper within an intimate container.
Inquire for Private Sessions that are available in-person or online.
An Invitation to the Practice of Biodanza
As explorer of the many modalities and forms of spiritual growth and healing, Biodanza is the spiritual somatic form which I have practiced consistently over the recent years. Boidanza deeply nourishes me personally, and allows me to sustain and embody the depth of my own work at The Outer Edge and Gateway House. Biodanza cross pollinates with both Constellations and Ceremony. Join us!
