The end of August? How can that be?

Hello dear friends,

I cannot believe it is the end of August and nearly a full month has passed since I’ve posted! We’ve been busy with our Summer Yoga Series, making prayer bracelets, summer projects and designing new projects for Fall. While perhaps I could have posted sooner, so much family has been in town for the month that I’ve simply enjoyed them! A niece, brothers and sisters (in-loves) all traveled here this month.

Two brothers came out from Colorado and Oklahoma to help my dad paint the house . . . what a job that was! . . . two-story, and a pole barn nearly as high! But they are troopers and it is beautiful! We kind of snuck in a mini-early-90th birthday party for my dad, since most of us were together, as well as a 40th Anniversary for a brother and his wife.

I was designated cook and cake/cookie baker, so was in my element! My brother, Marty, designed a wrought iron bracket for a hanging sign, complete with a labyrinth within the scroll. Since I knew he was planning a visit, I waited until he was here to have it hung. It makes me smile every time I see it! I hope it encourages folks to come in for a visit!

We have sooooo many ideas running through our heads for Autumn . . . it is clearly my favorite season of the year. Things cool down, but also speed up towards each of the holiday celebrations, in rapid succession: September ushers in Autumn and school and sports routines, October chills end with Halloween and then November’s highlight of Thanksgiving with the cherry-on-the-top of Christmas in December.

Our Meditative Fiber Art projects will help keep your decor fresh as you prepare for each holiday while reflecting on how you wish to celebrate. I find myself scaling back on decor and fru-fru, and try more to distill the reason for the season and holiday, but still enjoy making something by hand from raw materials into a lovely gift or bit of decor.

Did you know that holiday, is actually a shortened version of Holy Day? Each of the four holidays mentioned have some religious/Christian underpinning which often displaced a pagan ritual or celebration. As we move through each month, I will share a bit about how we have synthesized pagan customs into our Christian society and how they are now being rejected and transformed once again.

This can offer us an opportunity to examine what and how we truly want to celebrate, even if it may differ from ‘how we have always done things’. I have found that often times, less is more . . . more meaningful because your focus is more limited rather than so spread about. I look forward to conversations both in the Sanctuary and here on the website. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

As we transition into fall, you might consider gifting yourself a day to retreat . . . from all the balls being juggled . . . from all the dates you are now going to pencil in your calendar . . . what might you need to release? . . . to let go? We will be offering a day retreat to give you time to actually get away! . . . to stop the clock for just part of one day. To gift yourself with mental, physical, emotional and spiritual clearing, so that what is essential can be attended to. It will prepare you to head into the months ahead with fresh ideas for nutrition and strength, a fun autumn project, a bit of pampering, some release through journaling and reflection and a restored soul. I hope you will consider joining us.

Finally, these past few weeks, and especially days, have been fraught with so many emotions that range the entire gambit from being upset to outrage, from hurt and pain to numbing sorrow. Urban Sanctuary was designed as a refuge. We are here to help you get through whatever trial you are facing. If you are unable or uncomfortable coming in person, please reach out through here, or my email or my phone#. We will listen. We will pray for and with you. We are here to help you find peace!

May you find Blessings and Peace along your journey . . .