The document is free.

That said, we are also inviting donations that will go directly to some of the costs associated with the ongoing care for Krissy's mother, who is in the midst of receiving cancer treatment. (Note: all things considered, things seem to be going as well as can be expected at this stage!)

And I am in the midst of writing an extended reflection on the cross-cultural use of the Haudenosaunee Words Before All Else, aka the Thanksgiving Address. This came out of intersecting conversations and the question that a former student asked me this past week about if she can use the Thanksgiving Address for her faith community (short answer: yes; longer answer - let's talk about it!.) At first, I wrote it just for you all who are kind enough to read these missives. But then it turned into a seven page article. (Oh, the problems I have!) Hopefully I will be able to share it with you all relatively soon.

And this week - TOMORROW! We are starting our Advent for Winter Solstice Series. It's just 4 sessions. You don't have to come to the first session - this week might be very busy already!

Here's a bit more about this offering.

• We are meeting at SUNSET - eastern time. Whatever time zone you are in, you are welcome - that's the gift and the challenge of online programs!

• We are meeting at sunset so that part of our process is witnessing the coming of the dark in real time, together. At one point, we will all turn off our lights.

• We are focusing on stories that come from the beautiful book, All Creation Waits. While this book was written for the Christmas Advent series, our series is not about Christmas! We are focusing on the winter solstice and the dark, and how the dark interplays with light. We use this book because of the beautiful ways of uplifting animal stories as they prepare for winter.

• This is absolutely something that faith communities and spiritual communities can use in their own programming.

• There is music, sound, silence, and sharing.

• This is a powerful way to connect with birds, plants, and animals.

• We are starting with the Spotted Turtle. What does the spotted turtle do in the winter? what might this spark for us about some of our own processes?