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September 14, 2023
Dear friends,
Today is a beautiful, sunny late summer / early autumn day here in Maine. The sky is blue, a gentle breeze is blowing, and the humidity has finally broken. And also, we are awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Lee this weekend, wondering what this storm has in store for our coastline and for those most vulnerable — human and more-than-human — in our home location.
We are surrounded by constant change, and this year's climate events — most recently the catastrophic flooding and loss of life in Libya — show us almost daily the magnitude of climate chaos throughout the world. We can experience so much grief for what has been and anxiety about what is to come. And yet, there is also, always, this present moment, whatever it holds, and the relationships that sustain us in this moment and those to come. With that in mind, we have a number of offerings this fall to help you ground, connect, and be present to what is.
Registration for Convocation 2023 this September — in person in Hallowell, Maine — will close next Tuesday, September 19! We'll be exploring the theme of "Kinship: Re-Weaving the Great Web of Belonging" through talks, meals, contemplative practice, music, and spiritual exploration in the company of many wise leaders. For those of you who won't be present in person, we're pleased to offer an Online Companions Track for Convocation. Now is the time to register for the Online Companions Track!
In October, we'll begin a book study centered on Margaret Wheatley's powerful text Who Do We Choose To Be? Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity. We'll also be hosting a very special evening with Margaret Wheatley on October 24 centered on Complicated Hope. We hope you'll join us for an evening of conversation, music, and connection.
In less than two weeks, on September 26, we'll release the first episode of our second season of Climate Changed — The BTS Center's podcast. This season features a roster of profound and insightful guests joining our hosts, Nicole Diroff and Ben Yosua-Davis, exploring collective honesty and complicated hope. We hope you will listen and share when the season premieres. In the meantime, Season One is always available for listening on your favorite podcast platform!
Finally, we'll Wonder and Wander at Tir na nOg Farm once more in late October. We hope you'll join us for a day of outdoor exploration, learning, and contemplative practice in Pownal, Maine.
We look forward to staying present with you all in these complicated times.
With best wishes,
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