 Message from Hua
Loving greetings to one & all!
I hope you are all enjoying the song that is Spring, the promise, movement and potential that Spring offers. I am in the deepest gratitude for it all.
We had a good strong Sweat Lodge this past month and we have another community Sweat Lodge coming up on the 18th of May. And the Full Moon was such a comfort and a renewal for all the sisters; yes, we had a full circle. It almost seemed like we hadn't had a three month hiatus! It is such a confirmation of the continuum that is our ancient self, being in ceremonial circle under the Moon.
Let us now gather together for Spirit Dance! We are offering another opportunity for community in ceremony, a time to shift into another dimension of spirit under a full moon! Are you coming to participate in the great awakening? This is a special chance to cast energetic blessings on our home territory. We hope to see you there! Please register ASAP so we can get an idea of attendance.
And I want to announce a new project I'm participating in: Earth Peoples Nation. This project's goal is to form a new nation of peoples from around the globe.
We are all Earth peoples, united together in a sacred hoop dedicated to the restoration of harmony within the living fabric of life on Earth. We come forward in purposeful stewardship, encouraging biodiversity and a renewable, sustainable path in which everyone has the opportunity to offer their gifts and live in balance and health.
Recognizing that there is now no greater task before us than mediating the challenges to our Earth Mother, we hold space and vision for this new world's birth and offer our best and brightest efforts to uplift her back into peace, harmony and balance. We welcome all of Earth's peoples to join us in our united course as a dedicated nation of stewards.
We are just at the beginning of this project. Circles of Empowerment is sponsoring a Clan Mother Summit here in California on Aug. 2-5th. The Summit will be a gathering of Clan Mothers, coming together for a meet and greet for four days. During this time, we will create our charter for Earth Peoples Nation.
I am deeply honored to be one of the Clan Mothers. We are asking for donations for a transportation fund for the other Clan Mothers from other states, to facilitate their air fares. Please donate. This is worthy of your consideration. We are taking donations at the Circles of Empowerment PayPal, and in the "comment section," please designate the funds are for EPU.
Thank you. May you all be in the deep Spring song.
Blessings to all.
Hua Anwa
Songbird in Spring
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May Events
Spirit Dance Ceremony Weekend
Friday - Sunday, May 24th - 26th
Arroyo Grande, CA
In it's third year, Spirit Dance has grown into an opportunity to deepen the bonds between generations and genders. Children and elders are cared for during the ceremony Saturday night with ample food and a heated tipi in which to rest. With story-telling around the fire, sacred pipe ceremony, the raising of the tipi and building of the Spirit Lodge with Jade Willow Heart, crafts, and plenty of play, this is a fun-filled event for everyone.
Contact Shadow Walker for more information via email or at (805) 438-5683.
Getting ready for Spirit Dance 2013
Spirit Dance Power Circle Meetings
Wednesday May 8th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
& one pre-event meeting TBA
Via teleconference at:
1-567-314-1136
Code: 714621#
Bring your voice and vision forward by joining us in co-creating this emerging, community-centered weekend event happening Memorial weekend, May 24 - 26th.
Contact Shadow Walker for more information via email or at (805) 438-5683.
Empowerment Through Ritual and Ceremony Class with Hua
Weekend of May 4 - 5th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Throughout the year, Hua offers her class "Empowerment Through Ritual and Ceremony" as an enrichment for the community. Hua's teachings about sacred plants, the medicine wheel, feathers, shamanic journeying, shielding, opening the throat chakra and many more juicy and powerful lessons have been universally called extraordinary by those fortunate enough to attend.
This is also highly recommended background and training for those who are interested in deepening their practice by becoming a Firekeeper, Water Pourer, Pipe Carrier or other leadership role. Advanced level classes are sometimes offered to those who have first taken this set of classes.
Offered at a reduced price of $150 for Long Dancers. All others get the bargain rate of $182 for two full days of material, plus goodies. Open to creative reciprocity. Both days are required. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is also required to hold your place. Out of towners are welcome to stay on Circle grounds.
Contact Hua to RSVP at (805) 481-0892, or by email.
Long Dance Power Circle Meeting
Sunday May 5th, 12:30 pm
Via teleconference at: 1-567-314-1136
Code: 714621#
Many wonderful ideas birthed within last year's Long Dance Power circle contributed to a great experience last year. We'd still love for you to bring your thoughts and ideas to the table this year so we can incorporate the community's feedback in a gentle way.
Regular meetings will occur on the 2nd Sunday of each month leading up to Long Dance. If this day and time doesn't work for you, please email so we can attempt to accommodate as many as possible.
Community Sweat Lodge
Saturday, May 18th, 11:00 am
** note earlier start time **
Sweat Lodges were given to the people all over the world, thousands of years ago to help improve their lives. The Sweat Lodge is a sacred place to explore, develop and enhance our relationship to 'All That Is' and it acts as an accelerator to spiritual growth. The ceremony is a powerful way to pray, and it cleanses us, heals us and helps us to grow.
If you have never attended a Sweat Lodge, or would like more information about how to have a good sweat experience in general, please read this PDF for some helpful info and guidelines.
This is a women's prayer ceremony. This ceremony is open to all women and girl children too (assuming those girls are ready to participate in ceremony). It is always so good to see and be with all the sisters.
We ask that you wear a skirt and recommend that you bring additional layers for warmth. Please bring a contribution of healthy nibbles, bottled water, or tea for after ceremony. A donation of good drinking water or wood for the fire is much appreciated.
For your giveaway considerations, there are 2-3 officers who attend to the details and safety of this outdoor, nighttime, fireside ceremony.
Contact Hua for more details at (805) 481 0892.
Ongoing
Facilities Circle Work Party
750 Carpenter Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande
With spring blooms, the garden at the Circles site is inspirational. Come and contribute to the Beauty Way! With the longer days we can work in the evening too, so that those of you who work during the day can participate later. Projects include weeding and planting so dress accordingly and bring water and gloves. Thank you for your participation.
Please RSVP when you are planning to attend, or if you would like to come on another day and time. Email Supriti or call 734-846-7352
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About Us
Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place. Join us as, with good hearts, we walk the Beauty Way together. AHO!
Create Community!
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Dates at a Glance | |
or by clicking the highlighted links
Friday - Sunday May 24 - 26th
Weekend of May 4 - 5th
Wednesday May 8th and
one pre-event meeting TBA
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Via teleconference
Long Dance Power Circle MeetingSunday May 5th, 12:30 pm Via teleconference
Facilities Circle Work Party
1:00 pm every Thursday
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Wish List
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Any amount you can contribute helps! Please consider a regular monthly donation. A reliable income stream supports monthly events such as community sweat, and helps cover ongoing expenses such as advertising, wood, and grounds maintenance. Consider $5, $10, $25 or any amount that fits for you. You contribute to the empowerment of all people touched by COE events.
Please see our Donation page where you can sign up for a regular monthly donation via PayPal - it's very easy. On that page you can also make a one time donation, and check out our wish list. Maybe the item you no longer need is just the one we're looking for right now. Thank you for all you do already, seen and unseen, and thank you for helping us to do all we do too. |
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Needed Now:
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$50 = water & propane for
Spirit Dance weekend
$any amount = donate to sponsor transportation costs for Clan Mothers gathering in our territory this August 2013
Can you help us with one of these costs right now? In the notes area, let us know that you want your donation to go toward the item of your choice.
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Join A Power Circle!
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Power Circles are an exciting new model of shared leadership. Coordinated by a lead person, these teams share the responsibilities of bringing our events to the community.
Bring your voice and vision forward to make a difference!
contact Hawk Woman or Hua - we are actively seeking a new lead here.
Please contact Hawk with your interest in volunteering your time and valuable energy. Co-creation is more than just a theory - put it into practice!
Email Hawk with questions and get direction based on your areas of interest. Call her at (650) 520-9882.
No acts of volunteerism are too small, and many hands make light work. Thank you for what you're doing in the world now!
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Location of Events
and join our group for
sharing & discussions
Check us out on the Web!
www.circlesofempowerment.org
Long Dance website:
www.longdance.org |
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Regular monthly contributions help us build our Community!
Use our convenient PayPal button below for one time contributions. To schedule a monthly donation, please use our donation page.
Any amount is deeply appreciated.
Checks can also be mailed to: Church of Empowerment PO Box 76 Arroyo Grande, CA 93421
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Wisdom Corner
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Spirit Dance is based on the Ghost Dance ceremony. It is believed to have originated with Wovokah (Gray Hair), of the Northern Paiute tribe, who received visions about a way to restore the sacred ways of his people through ceremony. By performing specified round dances at night, it was foretold that traditional tribal life would return, the dead would come back to life, and the buffalo and other traditionally-hunted animals would be restored.
Wovokah's teachings spread westward to other tribes such as the Klamath, Miwok, Modoc, and Yurok. As the ceremony spread it was adapted to fit within the traditions of each tribe. It is the ancestor of a number of all-night long dance ceremonies still performed today.
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Traditional Ghost Dance Ceremonial Shirt
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