Newsletter of the Community for Interfaith Celebration
June 22, 2015
OUR CALL
We come together
to celebrate the seasons of life,
to study and practice wisdom and compassion,
and to encourage the spiritual work of each
person
-- for the sake of the whole world.
The Community for Interfaith Celebration includes people from a variety of religious traditions in one
open and affirming congregation, affiliated with The United Church of Christ. We meet on Sunday evenings, except July
and August, from 5 to 6:30 in the Social Hall at United Churches, 11th & Washington Streets in Olympia.
Kathleen Peppard is the half-time Lay Leader. Please leave messages via phone or email at the CIC voice-mail or email
as noted below. Please note that Kathleen takes Mondays off. For general information, please call 943-4822, or e-mail
[email protected]. Visit our website: www.oly-wa.us/cic.
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Looking back
Wow, wow, wow! Alhamdulillah! Blessed be! What a whirlwind these last few weeks. A penultimate celebration on
groundlessness, a Transition Sunday marking many transitions: Olivia and Eric, high school grads; Gabe, Steve, Connor
and Lila, moving to Maui; Kathleen’s retirement. Pride parade and booth. And a grand summer solstice picnic.
Looking ahead
Leeann Tourtillott and Jan Rocks will take the helm as our Transition Team from July 1 until December 31. Welcome!
Leeann will deal with ministerial duties (15 hours per week) and Jan will deal with the administrative/clerical duties (up to
5 hours per week). Please see the Calendar for times when Leeann is out of town on previously scheduled trips. Jan will
be monitoring e-mail and phone all summer and will be in touch with Leeann (when in electronic range): CIC voice mail
943-4822; CIC email: [email protected] . We have on-call chaplains so there will be someone available to you all
summer in the event of a death or critical emergency. (See list in News and Networking.)
Ongoing Meetings and Activities
CIC’s “small groups” are a great way for newcomers—and old-timers—to meet other members and to develop and
practice new ways to deepen spirituality and community. Everyone is welcome!
Please check for Summer Schedules inserted in notes for each group, as needed! And 2 new proposed groups!
Drum Circle: Wednesdays, 7-9 pm at TUCO. Bring your instruments if you have some or share ours if you don't. Simple
instruction is available so don't let lack of experience keep you away. Convener: Scott Bishop- 943-1938
Open Meditation/Labyrinth Walk in Social Hall, “First Friday” 5:30-7:00, hosted by Scott and Trina Bishop.
Completing the walk takes about 15-20 minutes so please allow enough time for the full experience.
Chanting with Heart The chanting group is meeting this summer July 10 through August 7. Come sing along when you
can! In the gompa on Fridays, 12:30-1:30pm. Contact: Jo Curtz, [email protected], if you want to receive emails
about schedule changes.
Cooking and Serving at the Salvation Army: 2nd Saturday of the month. Contact Kathy Kinard at 701-1662 or
[email protected] for more info, or to volunteer.
Dharma Group: This Buddhist practice group will continue to meet during the summer Saturdays from 9:30-11:00AM in
the gompa. After 15 minutes to gather, there is a 20-minute meditation, followed by reading and discussion, and then a
second 20- minute meditation. Contact Betty Hauser [email protected] 402-3279 or Rob Knapp 943-5992, to find out if
you will have company on any given Saturday.
Tuesday Meditation Group: meets 10-11Aat the gompa at the Spencer’s. This group is appropriate for beginners and
experienced meditators. We do two periods of silent meditation, with a reading/guided meditation before the second
period, and time for discussion. The group plans to continue during the summer but there may be the occasional time
when no one is available. Newcomers should call Betty Hauser (402-3279) during the summer to confirm if the group is
meeting. Convenor: Karen Ray: 786-9297
Social Justice Committee: Watch for announcements on meetings and activities. Contact Karen Tvedt: 584-4526.
End-of-Life Group meets about once per quarter, usually on a fourth Thursday at 7PM at Annie McManus’ studio, next
to her house at 1617 Conger. We gather to share resources, information and support. Contact person: Anne Kilgannon,
357-7191
*Women's Spirit Circle: The circle meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month, the 1st at Megan Parke's house and the
3rd at Judy Olmstead’s house. Contact Megan 951-1819 (texting is most effective), Judy (754-2748) or Evie Fagergren
(789-4013).
Proposal for a new group: Sufism Group? Anyone interested in a group, starting next fall, to explore one lineage of Sufi
mysticism and practice, contact Jo Curtz ([email protected] or 352-2209). It would likely involve doing practices on
one’s own as well as group meetings. Talk to me, and we’ll see what takes shape.
Proposal for a new group: Anyone interested in a "body presence" practice group? Evie Fagergren led an activity
during the Celebration on May 24th in which we found our "sub-groups" and invited more presence into our bodies on a
muscular level. Evie is interested in forming a group to do this activity sometime over the summer. If you are interested,
please contact Evie: [email protected] or 360-789-4013.
Directions to the McManus-O'Neill studio, aka Annie & Hugh's: 1617 Conger NW: in West Olympia, 5 blocks north of
Harrison, between Milroy and Thomas. The house is on the south side of the street. Studio is behind the garage. Go up
the driveway, veer to the left around the garage and the door to the studio is on the right. Please do not park in the
driveway.
Directions to the CIC Gompa (meditation space) at the Spencers', 117 W. 24th: Enter through the driveway off
Columbia. Go through the black metal gate and into the garage at right. The door to the gompa is at the back of the
garage. Call 943-0995 for further directions if necessary.
Children’s and Youth Program
Thank you to our dedicated and inspired staff people: Olivia Giglio with the preschoolers, Trina Bishop with the grade
schoolers, and Kate Ayers with the Youth Group. And to Gordon White to keep them nourished!
Summer Calendar
Friday June 26, 6 pm, Dinner for 8 with Ellen: Potluck meal with lovely CICers. Give Ellen a call/text so she knows you
are coming; (541) 206-4779, 2704 Fir Street Olympia
July 12, Sunday, 10:30am. Dances of Universal Peace in Karen Lohmann’s back yard dance circle, followed by potluck
brunch for those who can stay (beverage and utensils provided). 1220 Thomas NW. Contact: Karen (943-8552) or Jo
(352-2209).
August 2, 7 pm, Thad and Jo invite you to watch Mark Morris Dance Company’s L’Allegro, Il Pensoroso, ed Il
Moderato (The Life of Action, the Pensive Life, and the Moderate Life) on DVD. (Texts by John Milton, Music by Georg
Friedrich Handel, Choreography by Mark Morris) Thad and Jo’s house, 113 17th Ave SE.
August 10, Monday, 7 pm, Celebration Planning meeting at the McManus-O’Neill studio, 1617 Conger NW. Need info?
Contact Leeann at 943-4822.
August 11, Tuesday, 7 pm, Mare Cromwell, the author of "The Great Mother Bible" is coming to Olympia and will have
an informal gathering at Leeann's house to discuss her latest book and likely do some Native American ceremony. If you
are interested in attending this gathering, please e-mail; [email protected]. You can read more about Mare and her book
at http://messagesfrommother.org/category/mare-cromwell/ . Leeann’s address: 9520 Johnson Point Rd NE. Olympia
98516, 360-791-9471.
Aug. 15, Sat., 6 pm, Dinner for 8. Come potluck with Leeann at her home. Children welcome! There will be produce to
enjoy and the company of CICers to revel in. We can have a lovely potluck meal and check in on each other's summer. Email; [email protected]; or call/text; 360-791-9471. I will confirm with directions to my house.
September 4-7, Friday-Monday: Fall Fort Flagler (watch for details in late summer Wavelinks and via email). Evie will
lead the Sunday celebration. (No services or children/youth programs in Olympia)
Sept. 13, Sunday, 5pm, CIC Reunion Sunday: CIC reconvenes at The United Churches with children’s and youth
programs
Sept. 15, 7pm, Steering Circle at Penny Purkerson’s,
Sept. 20, 7pm, Town Hall
News & Networking
Congratulations to the Graduates: Eric Hardcastle (Karen Ray and Alan Hardcastle), Ben Gilvar (Megan Parke and John
Gilvar) and August Waldron (of Roxane and Boojie), Olympia High School; Olivia Giglio (Kathy Kinard), Avanti High
School. And to Keeva McManus (Annie McManus and Hugh O’Neill), graduate of The Evergreen State College and
Mackenzie Nix (Jan Nix & Zeryn Zaire), University of Washington. Oh, the places you’ll go! Many Blessings!
May the road rise to meet you: Farewell to Gabe O’Sullivan, Steve Ulene, Connor and Lila, moving to Maui. We sure
are going to miss you. Aloha! (And keep in touch! Mahalo!)
Hello to everyone, from your interim leadership team; Jan Rocks and Leeann Tourtillott:
Thank you so much for the privilege of serving this term while CIC finds our way from Kathleen’s leadership to
whatever comes next. The first step is our summer calendar. If emergencies come up over the summer we are here for
you! Please call the CIC phone number: 943-4822. Jan will be monitoring it at least daily as well as the CIC e-mail
([email protected]). If there is an emergency she will be in touch with Leeann who will come and/or call you
depending on your situation. If something comes up while Leeann is away some of our kind and generous members have
agreed to be “On Call Chaplains” during such an absence. If you have an immediate emergency feel free to call Leeann’s
cell (360)791-9471 or Jan's cell (360) 259-5540.
ON-CALL CHAPLAIN SCHEDULE FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2015
Through June 30 - Kathleen Peppard
July 1 - 7 Jo Curtz (cell # 360-359-0138)
July 8-14 Kathy Pruitt (cell # 360-705-4549)
July 15 - 19 Karen Lohmann (cell# 360-970-9613)
July 19 - Aug 20 Leeann Tourtillott (cell# 360-791-9471)
Aug 21 - 27 Karen Tvedt (phone 360-584-4526)
Aug 27 - Sept 2 Zoe (Cheryl) Daily (cell# 360-561-6325)
Sept 2 - Dec 31 Leeann Tourtillott (cell# 360-791-9471)
Also happening over the summer, the hiring group; Nika Keller, Karen Lohmann, Patti Logan, Hugh O’Neill, Karen Ray
and Paul Rocks will be meeting and working on finding our new “settled” minister candidates.
It would be great to talk us up with your friends and family. CIC is open to new thoughts and people; while life is
constant, change visits our beloved community.
We hope you have a fun and restful summer in store for you. Again, we want to hear from you if you find yourself in
need of some CIC loving support.
Sincerely, Jan and Leeann
More from Leeann, Interim Lay Minister:
I am going to come to town at least a couple days a week. You are likely to find me in town on Tuesdays and
Wednesdays willing to meet you for tea or a walk where ever you are. I can often flex other days to meet the most
people’s needs. Call! I will call you back and we will work out a good visit time and location: 360-943-4822; email:
[email protected]
Social Justice Committee invites you to view and discuss a PBS documentary series on Race: June 28: The Power of
Illusion; July 12: The Story We Tel; July 19: The House We Live In. United Churches Social Hall, call Karen Tvedt
A call looking for a volunteer: We need a camp director (or a team) to oversee the Labor Day weekend Fort Flagler
retreat: take reservations, arrange the buying of corn, salmon, solicit fish chefs, send out information, take payments,
oversee the retreat. Please contact our new Call Shepherd, Jan Rocks via CIC: phone: 360-943-4822; email:
[email protected] . (There is a Flagler retreat notebook available at the CIC office at Hausers’.)
Note from Patti Logan: The Arbutus Folk Art School will teach an introduction to felting class taught by Patti. She will
provide needle felting kits and wool for each student to use and keep. To register, go to www.arbutusfolkschool.org Cost
$51. Contact Patti: 360-888-7701
Note from Shelly: Is anyone looking for a peaceful retreat from July 10th - 14 and July 30 - August 7th? Only15 minutes
from downtown. Circle Hawk Farm is in need of a pair (or two) of eyes so that while the cats away the mice do not play.
Please give Shelly a call if you are able to check in on the ol' place - name your price. 455-1985 or cell 402-3845.
Bows of gratitude: From Kathleen: Deep thanks to all of CIC for your support, stories, wisdom, leadership and help
over these last 12 years (well, 17 years if you count the time as lay minister for children and families). Thank you so
much for the SURPRISE party after the Transition Sunday service. It was a great party! I hear that the planning
committee was made up of: Hugh O’Neill, Karen Ray, Karen Lohmann, Kathy Kinard, Megan Parke, Leeann Tourtillott,
Penny Purkerson and Jan Vleck. Sorry if I missed anyone but I didn’t get the emails! Thanks to Megan for organizing
the blessing pole and all of your contributions to it and kind notes. And how about those barbecues and flowers and the
Uptown Funk dance revue, plus the Best Potluck Ever. CIC rocks! And then: the Pride Parade. Thanks to all the
marchers and booth staffers. And special thanks to Karen Tvedt, our Social Justice committee chair, for wrangling the
whole rodeo. And more: Deep bows to Shelly Bentley for hosting our Summer Solstice picnic and Kai and Brett for
directing traffic and driving the wagon. How lucky we are to have the Bentley Farm as one of our remote locations, along
with the gompa (at Spencers’), the studio (at the McManus-O’Neills’), the CIC office at Hausers’, and various
living rooms around town. Thank you all for your hospitality! And another thanks to Jan Rocks, for volunteering to be
the new Call Shepherd, replacing Leeann Tourtillott, who has entered un-retirement. Thank you, Leeann, for your
service! And to the Hiring Committee! Blessings on your work. In sum: We are so blessed.
Just As The Calendar Began to Say Summer
I went out of the schoolhouse fast
and through the gardens and to the woods,
and spent all summer forgetting what I’d been taught —
two times two, and diligence, and so forth,
how to be modest and useful, and how to succeed and so forth,
machines and oil and plastic and money and so forth.
By fall I had healed somewhat, but was summoned back
to the chalky rooms and the desks, to sit and remember
the way the river kept rolling its pebbles,
the way the wild wrens sang though they hadn’t a penny in the bank,
the way the flowers were dressed in nothing but light.
Mary Oliver, Long Life