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Winter Solstice
December 20, 2008 Barren trees, browned grasses, gardens gone dormant. Winter begins with the shortest day of the year. As this part of Earth tilts away from the sun, reflection and meaning-making are called forth. We’ll celebrate both dark and light with poetry, ponderings, procession, and the turning of the sun staff. Please bring a wintertime dessert or drink to share. “Contemplating a Cosmic Advent” Choose from among these options:
Quiet Days and Nights of Solitude Wed., Dec. 10 to Thurs., Dec. 11, 2008
Day of Reflection Fri., Dec. 12, 2008 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Day of Reflection plus overnight Fri., Dec. 12, 9:30 AM to Sat., Dec. 13, 2008 ending at noon
What do you long for? What do you need to birth at this time? How does the new cosmology heal old divisions and immerse us in the “Real”? Bring your cosmic Advent ponderings to La Vista, and create your own Cosmic Advent retreat by choosing one or more of these options: spending two days and nights of quiet contemplation on 12/10 and 12/11, creating your own schedule. Join us on 12/12 to ponder Advent questions together, with the option of staying over to 12/13. Menu for the Future
Starting October 13, 2008 for six weeks La Vista Ecological Learning Center offered a six session discussion course, Menu for the Future. Are you ever confused by all the food choices you face and all the advice you read as you decide what to eat? Modern industrial society can make eating an anxious endeavor rather than the delight it was meant to be. If you would like to join others who share your concerns, the Menu for the Future discussion course is for you! With the aid of readings in a course book and the discussion format, participants learn from themselves and from each other. Participants leave the discussions feeling empowered to take responsibility for their food choices. Topics include:
Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox September 20, 2008
Cool breezes, the season’s bounty, shorter days. A sense of change is in the air while seemingly all of Creation makes preparation. As the Autumn season begins, plan on spending a meaning-filled late afternoon at La Vista. We celebrated this harvest time with ponderings, procession, and the turning of the sun staff. Healthy Planet, Healthy Children September 9, 2008 - for six weeks La Vista Ecological Learning Center offered a six session discussion course, Healthy Planet, Healthy Children, in St. Louis at The Family Center in Webster Groves. If a child’s world view is being shaped by commercial messages, if electronic devices are replacing personal relationships with people and nature, if the pace of life is so fast and so goal-oriented that a child doesn’t have time to be a child, how might an adult respond? Join us as we discuss ways adults might help children navigate their way through our very mobile, consumer culture. With the aid of the informative readings in the course book and the discussion format, participants learn from themselves and from each other as they share personal reactions to the readings as well as their own personal experiences, opinions and feelings. Exploring the Sacred Universe – Earth Literacy Program - 2008 August 3 - 10, 2008 Come explore Creation’s integrity for a week along the bluffs! As we sit with the wonder, awe and newness of the Universe Story, we will also critically examine the perceptions that currently fashion our cultural world view. Recognizing the inherent spiritual dimension in the universe, a reconnection to the Creator through Creation will be facilitated. In addition to the guided activities and instruction, there is, thus, a strong emphasis on immersion into the natural world and on developing practical skills for a more ecologically-conscious life-style. Earth Literacy Revisited - 2008 July 25 - July 27, 2008 “Earth Literacy” alumni return to the bluffs ponder anew the story of the Universe and discuss how they have re-inhabited their lives and their bioregions in the past year. Celebrate the Solstice of Summer!
June 21, 2008 As the sun "stands still" on this longest day of the year, take some time to still your inner being and align yourself with the strength of the Sun’s light. Join us for a refreshing evening as we celebrate with poetry, ponderings and procession.
June 2 - July 7, 2008 Are you ever confused by all the food choices you face and advice you read as you decide what to eat? Modern industrial society can make eating an anxious endeavor rather than the delight it was meant to be. Join others as we explore complex issues surrounding eating in a healthy, sustainable way in this 6-week discussion course. Click here for session topics and more information. Earth Day Concert in the "Bowl" featuring Jan Novotka
April 22, 2008 Our first-time-ever concert in the bowl at La Vista! Jan Novotka, eco-spirituality songwriter, entertained us with her lovely original songs. Jan sings of the sacredness and oneness of all, care for Earth, and the Still Silent Presence within. Join us for this Earth Day concert/sing-a-long as we express musically our call to walk reverently and lightly on Earth. If you have been a participant in our retreats, then you have sung Jan's music! Learn more about Jan and her music from her website:
April 19, 2008 Dr. John Dinkelmann, homeopathic practitioner located in Wood River, Illinois, will join us and share his wisdom on eating for health. During the break we'll enjoy a healthful snack. In the afternoon during a special cooking class, we'll put into practice what we learned in the morning as we create a delicious and nutritious dinner. At 6:00 pm we'll enjoy the fruits of our labors as we dine with the Novitiate Community. Sign up and be nourished in mind, body, and spirit! Cooking class and dinner are limited to ten participants.
April 18, 2008 Join us at the Religious Center, located on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, to hear Satish Kumar, Earth pilgrim, Spiritual Compass is a guide to a more balanced and fulfilled life in harmony with our surroundings, neither taking too much, nor destroying unnecessarily. Kumar will expand on the ancient wisdom of the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, illustrating a spiritual compass by drawing on three primary qualities: sattva (characterized by calmness, clarity and purity), rajas (energy and passion), and tamas (dullness and ignorance). Kumar wrote that, “These three qualities of life are as much external attributes as they are an internal state of being. Inner intentions and motivations are as important as outer actions. So we are not to judge people only by their external appearance.” Local non-profit, The Dare to Dream Institute, will bake organic artisan bread for sharing during an informal question and answer period, Silent Spring: Listening to the Voices of Extinction A Weekend Retreat
March 29 - 30, 2008
Join us this Spring as we listen to the voices of extinct species speaking through you, our participants, and through a scientist’s challenging presentation. Deepen your commitment to care for Earth as you align yourself with the energy of the sixth extinction spasm and discover how to pursue a life of integrity at this critical juncture in the Universe story.
Spring Equinox Celebration March 29, 2008 All of us at La Vista Ecological Learning Center invite you join us as we celebrate the beginning of Spring. Bring your kids and come join the fun with poetry, procession and potato planting!! Bring a spring-themed dish to share as we conclude with potluck supper in the historic "lodge" overlooking the Mississippi.
February 11 to March 24, 2008 February 13 to March 26, 2008
Occurring during the Lenten season, take this opportunity to explore the meaning of voluntary simplicity, consider the material and psychological distractions preventing us from caring for Earth, and discuss how life might be enriched through the practice of simplicity.
Blessed Darkness, Sacred Fire Retreat
January 10, 11, 12, 2008 What image does “January” conjure up for you? Cold? Winter doldrums? Cabin fever? This time of year also invites us to go within, to knit together what is seemingly opposed. Come find life in the midst of this season: bald eagles soaring along the bluffs, tracks of critters in the snow, new life lying dormant outdoors as well as within each of us. As always our delicious meals reflect a seasonal tone as we strive to honor this place and the food that is grown here. Includes optional participation in the Winterfires Coffeehouse. Winterfires Coffeehouse January 11, 2008
This gathering was a warm intimate evening of poetry, story, and music. This is a magical night of sharing favorite poems or original poetry. Poetry and music are soul food. Shared around a glowing fireplace in our lodge, we are nourished through this long Winter season. |
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peace activist and sage of the deep ecology movement. Kumar returns to our area from England to lead us in pondering the spiritual qualities we need to persevere in greening our lives.