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July 13, 2023
Dear friends,
The past couple of weeks have seen so many climate-change related extremes unfolding across the globe. From the continuing wildfires in Canada to the devastating floods in Vermont and New York to the news that the planet has hit the hottest overall temperature ever recorded, the distressing climate events are unfolding at a pace that is hard to absorb. Here in Maine, though we have avoided the worst of the floods and fires, an uncannily wet summer is wreaking havoc on crops and highlighting our tenuous food system.
In times like these, those of us from the Judeo-Christian traditions may find resonance in the biblical stories of old — the plagues and floods, famines and fires. Yet these times feel unprecedented, in need of new stories (or the re-visioning of the ancient stories) to make meaning and find purpose in our work for a livable future. With this in mind, The BTS Center is pleased to offer opportunities for gathering around ritual and story together.
This summer, we hope you'll join us for the next two sessions of our first Summer Fiction Book Club — an opportunity to gather online and discuss works of fiction that offer stories related to the climate crisis in different ways. In August, we'll offer another installment of our Wonder and Wander Farm Series at Tir na nOg Farm in Pownal, Maine, which will center on the Celtic feast of Lughnasadh, bringing the ancient stories into the modern context of a working farm.
And finally, we're eagerly anticipating Convocation 2023, taking place in person this year at Maple Hill Inn and Conference Center in Hallowell, Maine. We hope you'll join us for two days of talks, meals, contemplative practice, music, and spiritual exploration — opportunities for finding the resonance of our various traditions for these uncertain times. We know that an in-person Convocation is not accessible for all in our community, so if you are interested in an Online Companion program for Convocation, we ask you to please fill out this survey by July 26. Your input will allow us to craft an online offering that is most aligned with the needs and desires of our community.
We look forward to seeing you at one or many of our programs this summer and fall, as we create new stories for this challenging present together.
With best wishes,
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