May 2, 2022 | 2021-2022 | Nurturing Spiritual Awareness in times such as these, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community
Dear Amy, Paul, and the Ecumenical Society, I am so grateful for our beautiful gathering yesterday at the farm! What a heartfelt gathering of humans discussing exciting authenticity and living lives true to our Wild selves! I cannot convey how much I appreciated...
May 2, 2022 | 2021-2022 | Nurturing Spiritual Awareness in times such as these, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community
As I dropped down into Soul Farm I felt an energy shift. There is a tranquil feeling there where the animal and human residents interact on a regular basis. Thirza’s presentation was as heartfelt and open as her beautiful book The Wild in Us. I enjoyed hearing...
Sep 28, 2021 | Inclusive Community, Reflections
There are no answers to the book of life. Life is what we learn as we live it. And what we practice as we live it is what tests and shapes our responses… the souls within each of us. What does that mean for us then, in times such as these? Just as we were celebrating...
Jan 23, 2021 | 2020-2021 | Spirit in Action in times such as these, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Social Events
Since it was impossible to gather in person for the Ecumenical Society Annual Carolling evening, it was decided by the GES Board that we would keep the tradition alive by hosting the event on Zoom. Over sixty people gathered in their “bubbles” at home in December 2020...
Sep 26, 2020 | Inclusive Community, Reflections, Social Events
Gabriola Ecumenical Society Still Here – Still Planning – Still Dreaming Wow!! Times have been really crazy lately! Our comfortable ways of connecting in person have been transformed since we last gathered as a GES community on Gabriola. Terms like...
Jan 8, 2020 | 2019-2020 | Spirit in Action: Healing Ourselves, our Community, and our Earth, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community
Drumming the Earth with our Feet . . . that was Don Buskirk’s description of the Gabriola Ecumenical Society’s first event for 2020, at the NetLoft on January 5. And it was much more than that, as ? people learned simple traditional dances from several cultures,...
Nov 26, 2019 | 2019-2020 | Spirit in Action: Healing Ourselves, our Community, and our Earth, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Sacred Celebration, Social Events
Giving Thanks Dinner October 20 2019 We give thanks! Once again members of Gabriola Ecumenical Society and community members gathered together at the Gabriola Golf and Country Club to celebrate and give thanks for all we have and who we are. Two 30 pound turkeys were...
Nov 26, 2019 | 2019-2020 | Spirit in Action: Healing Ourselves, our Community, and our Earth, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Sacred Celebration, Social Events
“Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it.” Rabindranath Tagore A cancellation of an event scheduled for Bethlehem Centre in Nanaimo created an opportunity for the Gabriola Ecumenical Society to co-sponsor a...
Sep 27, 2019 | 2019-2020 | Spirit in Action: Healing Ourselves, our Community, and our Earth, Event Reviews, Faith Traditions, Inclusive Community, Meditation, Social Events, Speakers
Once again the Gabriola Ecumenical Society got their new season of programs off to a beautiful start with the September 19 Program Launch. Some of us arrived early to set up in the peaceful venue of the Netloft. Soon after participants began arriving with...
Aug 13, 2018 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Social Events
Thursday July 26 2018 – 2015 Stalker Rd, Gabriola Once again, and for 15 years running, GES members and friends gathered to enjoy the great weather, entertainment, company, and food at the seaside home of Anne Sims. A sense of...
May 11, 2018 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Other
“To create a spiritual community, even if for a little while, is a magnificent thing”. By the end of the Spring Forum weekend, I witnessed a most exquisite spiritual community formed by sacred song. Then, like a sound mandala, we dispersed into the wind. ~...
Mar 1, 2018 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Other
On Sunday, February 11th, twenty-five people enjoyed Leah Hokanson’s 2nd of 3 “Innvocations”, community chanting series held at the net loft. Leah has the rare ability to sift through the ancient wisdom of the mystics and select nuggets that are as...
Feb 5, 2018 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Sacred Celebration
An intimate group of 18 filled the space at the Netloft with beautiful chanting in January. Here’s what we heard when it was done… “I love Leah’s welcoming, inclusive approach and the assumption that everyone should/can sing.” ...
Dec 29, 2017 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Inclusive Community, Social Events
After a fog bound, perplexing day of “should we go, or should we stay” ….we finally decided (after scouting the island roads) to do it! We were so glad to have twelve brave carollers show up at the Garden Homes to entertain some thirty...
Nov 9, 2017 | Inclusive Community, Other, Social Events
For old and young alike, when Amy Block called us all to give thanks – there was a lot to be grateful for! Over 70 people shared excellent food, joyful music, company of old and new acquaintances – all within the warm...
Oct 16, 2017 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community
On September 27, 2017 representatives from at least 16 different community groups got together at the Golf Course to thank Jacquie Jessup and husband Bart for their amazing diverse volunteerism while living on this special island for 17 years. Their strong...
Mar 4, 2017 | 2016-2017 | Fire of Transformation … and the greatest of these is love, Inclusive Community, Meditation
Submitted by Owen McCooey On Sunday, February 12, 2017 more than sixty people came to the Netloft to hear a performance by Leah Hokanson, vocalist & pianist, and Allannah Dow, vocalist & cellist. It was a weave of song, spoken word, instrumental pieces and...
Dec 15, 2016 | 2016-2017 | Fire of Transformation … and the greatest of these is love, Inclusive Community, Social Events
Submitted by Anniken DeLissa Photos by Richard Pullano This year, Dec 03 2016, thirty two ventured forth to sing Christmas carols with those experiencing difficulty going out. Several teenagers joined us but the youngest of our group was a chuckling cherub of only...
Nov 10, 2016 | 2016-2017 | Fire of Transformation … and the greatest of these is love, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Other
Submitted by Owen McCooey Sunday, November 13, 2016 was a true November day: dark, wet and windy. So the warmth and sanctuary of the Netloft was a perfect setting for the Gabriola Ecumenical Society’s presentation, Loving Presence During Tough Times. In our society...
Aug 30, 2016 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Peace Presentations
Do What Makes Your Heart Sing On a warm Friday evening 40 people gathered at the Commons to to attend an uplifting, joyful introduction into the life of Swami Muktibodhananda. As we gathered in the garden, some on chairs and some on blankets, Swami Mukti gave us an...
