UNITARIAN
EARTH SPIRIT
NETWORK

The programme reflected two aspects of the season… a celebration of Summer and an awareness of the Autumn 'harvest' to follow.

It was a very happy and successful gathering. Our workshop leaders / volunteers did a great job and provided a good choice of activities on Saturday. We provided the chance for attenders to join in an open air Earth Spirit service on Sunday morning which was really lovely. The previous evening, John Harley and Lyanne Mitchell led a session called 'Searching for the Fruits of our Harvest.' It was planned to be a mixture of fun, creativity and introspection.

Most of us enjoyed the playful aspect of a treasure hunt for 'clues' or 'treasures' which were hidden in the grounds and garden. Each team found a different question on the theme and there was time to ponder on them and to share mutual insights. Here is the full list of questions :-

What riches lie in your treasury?
Where do you need to conserve your resources?

What is transforming within you?
How do you celebrate your life?

What needs liberating in your life?
What needs to be fulfilled or accomplished right now?

Who needs to be gratefully acknowledged in your life?
What sorrow is unexpressed within you?

Which of your skills needs to be honed at this time?
Which old habits do you need to change?

Are you doing too much and which areas in your life can be pruned?
Which unacknowledged needs are eating holes in you?

Which ideas and structures have you outgrown?
What aspects of yourself do you feel need to be burned or consumed at the moment?

Reflect on the events of your life over the last year to 18 months -
What kind of 'harvest' can you gather from this?
Who can best help you to bring in your harvest safely?

The following morning, some of us shared a little of the personal insights we had gathered during the sharing session. Most people had found the exercise valuable on some level.

Our annual gatherings at Hucklow are an important part of our fellowship as a Network. A great deal of planning and hard work goes into making them a success. Our volunteer leaders for workshops, sessions, rituals, and morning and evening meditations deserve our sincere thanks - the success of our gatherings depends on their energy, involvement and generous spirit.

Click on the photos to enlarge

Our next UESN gathering will be 4th – 6th September 2009.