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...
May 2, 2019 | 2018-2019 | Spirit Flows Freely, Event Reviews, Faith Traditions, Sacred Celebration
On April 24th, at the Golf Course, we celebrated a Passover Seder meal with about 40 members of our community. Like last year, it was facilitated by Amy Block and Paul Gellman. A special thanks to all the volunteers who came early and helped plate and heat the...
Apr 18, 2018 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Faith Traditions, Sacred Celebration
“What a memorable evening” was one comment in response to the festive sharing and learning about how a Seder works. A big thank you to Amy and Paul who walked everyone though the ceremonial ritual and meaning of a Seder in a clear and unhurried way,...
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 1, 2017 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Other, Sacred Celebration
For the second year, the Gabriola Ecumenical Society hosted ‘Lifting our Spirit Through A Ceremony of Remembrance.’ A big thank you to Owen McCooey who took the lead in organizing this important and beautiful ceremony. This event, now in it’s second year, was...
Sep 25, 2017 | 2017-2018 | Lifting the Spirit … living in ceremony, Event Reviews, Sacred Celebration
“It was exhilarating!” was how one participant described the Gabriola Ecumenical Society’s first event of their 2017-2018 season. On Sunday, September 10, 2017 at the Netloft, Leah Hokanson presented Invocations: A Community Chanting. Leah...
Jan 25, 2017 | 2016-2017 | Fire of Transformation … and the greatest of these is love, Event Reviews, Sacred Celebration
Submitted by Pandit Tejomaya Mantra to Fire and Love On Sunday January 8th, 2017 we gathered at dusk, outside at The Commons under the timber frame canopy surrounded by the purity of falling snow. Pandit Tejomaya led us in a traditional havan, or fire...
Jun 14, 2016 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Faith Traditions, Meditation, Other, Sacred Celebration
Many thanks to Dennis Evans for taking daily pictures of Lama Losang Samten’s sand mandala. It was a beautiful first week, great to see so many people coming through to see the mandala and meet Losang. Medicine Buddha is one of the most important healing...
May 24, 2016 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Meditation, Sacred Celebration, Speakers
Blue Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala Continuing the Gabriola Island Ecumenical Society theme for 2015-2016 “Walking on the Mystical Side’ ” we are happy to welcome Tibetan Buddhist monk, Losang Samten. Losang will construct a 5′ sand mandala at The Net Loft. Viewing of...
Feb 14, 2016 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Other, Sacred Celebration
TAIZE CHANT Submitted by Jacquie Jessup On Saturday February 20, 2016 the Gabriola Ecumenical Society hosted an enchanting hour of Taize Chant. Leah and Tejomaya provided the musical direction for an enthusiastic group of 76 participants. The United Church sanctuary...
Feb 12, 2016 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Meditation, Peace Presentations, Sacred Celebration
Sat. Feb 20th, 2016 4-5 pm United Church 2600 South Rd “I have never lost the intuition that community life could be a sign that God is love, and love alone……….a community where kindness of heart and simplicity would be at the centre of...
Feb 6, 2016 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Sacred Celebration, Social Events
Saturday, February 20th United Church, 2600 South Road Gabriola Peace Doves For those who ordered peace doves you may pick them up prior to the 4pm Taize celebration or they will be delivered to your door. Once again Gabriolans will have the opportunity to purchase...
Oct 30, 2015 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Meditation, Sacred Celebration
Leah and Allannah invited us to come to the gathering with such beauty, warmth and compassion that a sacred space was created immediately. Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. It doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come,...
Oct 19, 2015 | 2015-2016 | Walking on the Mystical Side, Inclusive Community, Sacred Celebration
The Gabriola Ecumenical Society presents A Walk on the Mystical Side Rumi and Hafiz poetry & music to nourish our souls Join us for a community gathering with music, and readings of the poetry of two great Sufi mystic poets — Jalaluddin Rumi and Hafiz. Music...
Jul 6, 2015 | 2014-2015, Meditation, Sacred Celebration
Sacred Island Walks July 19th to Sept 27, 2015 Sunday mornings – Rain or Shine Rollo-McClay Park – Where the walk will start and end. 8:00 AM – Please arrive in time for a prompt departure. The Gabriola Ecumenical Society and Yoga Sadhana Mandir...
Mar 24, 2015 | 2014-2015, Event Reviews, Inclusive Community, Meditation, Sacred Celebration
Submitted by Maureen Wild On March 22, 2015 over 65 Gabriolans streamed into the Netloft to experience a most delightful Sunday afternoon contemplative time of sound and chant. Vedic Chant was lead by Pandit Tejomaya with sitar accompaniment. One was aware...
Mar 14, 2015 | 2014-2015, Inclusive Community, Meditation, Sacred Celebration
Sunday, March 22, 2015 Netloft, 1960 Murray Rd. 4-6pm The Gabriola Ecumenical Society is pleased to host a very special and uniquely Gabriolan Sunday afternoon contemplative experience on the first day of spring. This event brings together the musical gifts, chanting...
Oct 23, 2014 | 2014-2015, Inclusive Community, Meditation, Peace Presentations, Sacred Celebration
Submitted by Carol Hemrich On a brisk early winter Sunday afternoon, Nov 30th 2014, some sixty Gabriolans met to listen, sing, and chant to songs, music and words reflecting on the meaning and importance of inner peace. The hour flowed from contemplation to song,...
Jun 3, 2013 | 2012-2013, Meditation, Sacred Celebration
On June 23, 2013, a misty Sunday afternoon, a small group of people braved the elements to celebrate together. As Taize melodies were chanted in beautiful harmony, some slowly meandered through the field of white daises which marked the labyrinth. The day began...
