In Support of
 And its work with
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2014 - A Year of Wonder
Taking time to connect with our natural home, be astonished, be inspired to learn to live so that all can thrive.
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Cornerstone United Methodist Women...
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...on the sustainability tour...
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..walking the prairie labyrinth...
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...and experiencing the Cosmic Walk..
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People's Climate March...
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...in downtown Oklahoma City
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Board member Tom Temple and supporter Patty Russell carrying the Turtle Rock Farm banner..
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TRF advisory board members Barbara Hagan and Bruce Johnson carried high the Earth flag.
More photos and the story on our blog.
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Highland Park United Methodist Women from Stillwater...
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...during the shepherds' retreat.
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A Sense of Place: The City in Nature workshop
in Oklahoma City began at the head water
of Deep Fork Creek and Lake Eufaula.
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Learning about the Deep Fork Creek watershed.
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Visiting sites along the Deep Fork.
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Learning about the Deep Fork Creek watershed.
Read the story on our blog:
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Monarch butterflies, on their migration.
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Blue Jays have stayed for awhile.
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Seven Years Later...
We began the work of Turtle Rock Farm seven years ago, this autumn. As we stand here, in the warm glow of the sixth annual Green Connections' Prairie Dinner and Concert...
...as we look back on September and realize that we presented the "new story" of our beginnings, 14 billion years ago, in the Cosmic Walk-not once, but twice....
...as we remember earlier in the month the morning in Oklahoma City where we gathered with a small group to present for the first time, an experience we hope to offer again and again: A Sense of Place--the City in Nature...
...and that that workshop was the culmination of a week-long series of events for Transition OKC and the Oklahoma City Urban Ag Coaltiion's first annual Urban Ag Week...
...as we appreciate that the efforts of friends Nathaniel Batchelder, Earl Hatley, Stefan Warner, as well as our own, resulted in 400 people on the streets of downtown Oklahoma City carrying signs in the People's Climate March of Oklahoma City, declaring that climate change and global warming are real, that humans are primarily culpable and that all of us must step up and engage in the solutions...
we are extremely grateful that Oklahomans are engaged in the work of learning a new story, paying close attention to and celebrating the natural world on which we are completely dependent, and making changes so that we can live in ways that ensure survival of all life on planet Earth.
And so, with renewed energy and purpose, the work continues. This month, we will welcome more groups, including the Perkins United Methodist Women and Undercroft Montessori School from Tulsa, on their second visit. We will welcome our family to help with the pecan harvest. We will celebrate with Sustainable Tulsa and the Southside Rotary at The Henry Bellmon Sustainability Awards banquet. Pat will preach her "It's in the Stars" sermon at New Hope UMC in Enid. And we will greet retreatants as they enter their quiet time in the strawbale hermitage.
Details of our next programmed retreats and links to registration on our website can be found below. As always, we welcome your visits and stays. Call or email us to schedule your time this fall here on the prairie. Keep up with life here at Turtle Rock Farm and insights and observations about our life together with all on the planet, at our blog.
Join us when you can. We hope to see you soon!
Beauty, Peace, Wonder,
Ann and Pat
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What a great celebration it was!
Green Connections'
Sixth Annual
Prairie Dinner and Concert
at Turtle Rock Farm
"...an evening like no other....spirited community.....dee-vine cuisine...lively conversation....inspired concert ....an unmatched combination, in my book.....many thanks for creating and hosting such a special and memorable evening!" wrote one of our supporters.
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Our thanks for a fabulous evening to... Green Connections board, Turtle Rock Farm advisory group, Transition OKC team, Chefs Barb and Kam
from Kam's Kookery, Woods & Water Vineyard, Kyle Dillingham, and all our guests and supporters!
More photos on our blog.
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Active Hope: The Work
that Reconnects Retreat
October 18
Some days the state of the world can overwhelm us. Despite our intentions, our hopes, our work, we sometimes find that the environmental and economic problems are mounting. Using experiential exercises developed over 40 years by Joanna Macy, an eco-philosopher, teacher and author, The Work That Reconnects helps us look deeply at the graces of life on the planet, face our feelings about the rapid worsening of the environment, begin to develop a vision that will carry us forward, and the practical steps we can take to bring about change so that all on the planet can thrive. Pat will lead the group through the spiral that helps us develop a supportive community as well as gather strength, meaning and purpose for our lives at this critical time.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $75 retreat fee includes lunch.
To register, go to our calendar:
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Mindful Practices to Move Through Depression
November 15
Depression is common for many of us; it's something we deal with off and on. And in these chaotic times, times when we feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face environmentally, economically, we might experience depression even more often; in fact, it can become chronic. This retreat introduces mindfulness practices that actually help us break the thought patterns that increase depression. They are tools that can be used for the rest of our lives and break through the depression. Spiritual Director Pat Hoerth leads this retreat.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $75 retreat fee includes lunch. Optional overnight stay is $35 per night.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $75 retreat fee includes lunch.
To register, go to our calendar:
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Shepherds' Retreat
December 1-2
A 24-hour retreat for United Methodist clergy and lay leaders. Following the Academy for Spiritual Formation model of morning, evening prayer, eucharist, periods of silent reflection on readings and small group discussion and sharing of meals, the retreat is a time for spiritual renewal for church leaders. For more information or to register, email Rev. Susan Ross at ross-susan@sbcglobal.net or Pat Hoerth at pathoerth@gmail.com
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To Learn More about Turtle Rock Farm
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MORE OPPORTUNITIES AT TURTLE ROCK FARM
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS
Leslie Harrison helping with the honey harvest.
And Elena Height, who helped in the high tunnel.
If you, your group or family is interested in helping out or providing a service learning project at Turtle Rock Farm, let us know. It takes a village!
Scholarships are available for youth to experience nature at Turtle Rock Farm, thanks to a generous grant from the Oklahoma Disciples of Christ Foundation.
Call -- 580.725.3411, 580.917.6011
Or email: annbdenney@gmail.com pathoerth@gmail.com
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How Does One Make Retreat?
A "retreat" at Turtle Rock Farm is a chance to get away into the quiet and beauty of the prairie.
It can be a time when you sleep, listen to music, read, walk, visit, play musical instruments, do art, bask in silence, get a
therapeutic massage, sit in a rocking chair on the porch, visit with a spiritual director, explore nature, walk the labyrinth,
feed an alpaca, gather eggs, garden, kayak or swim in the pond...alone, with friends, family, or with the community gathered
here at the farm.
It can be what you need and what you want it to be. We are happy to guide and assist, or give you solitude.
Turtle Rock Farm on the Road
Making the Cosmic Walk at Camp Egan, near Tahlequah
We are glad to be able to offer our workshops, retreats and presentations away from our farm. Call or email about a
presentation for your group.
To reserve your individual, family or group retreat...
Or to visit with us about a presentation for your group in another location...
email or call:
pathoerth@gmail.com -- 580.917.6011
annbdenney@gmail.com -- 580.725.3411
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Comments from our wonderful guests...
"The retreat at Turtle Rock was very peaceful and sacred. This retreat helped me to refuel and to center myself. The atmosphere is conducive to learning--gentle knowledge--very inclusive. Thank you." -- M.R.
"So happy to be the first resident of the new year. What a treat for me! I am praying that this retreat with our Young Adults is just the first of many visits to Turtle Rock. I'm so happy to know you're here and not far away. We are kindred spirits and I look forward to much celebration!!" -- Bill Crowell, Tulsa, Boston Avenue UMC
"This is our fourth stay at the hermitage and visit with you. Each time has been a time of renewal. This short visit is no exception. Our conversation, the simplicity of the hermitage, and the stark beauty of the farm and rolling hills blend together to help bring the peacefulness we need." -- Bill and Jeanne Finely, Silver Spring, Md. and Blacksburg, Va.
"This hermitage is a gracious space-as is the whole farm. I leave grateful for everything-deer and wasps, damp 'possum and faithful dog; greedy goats and trumpeting guineas; laid-back alpacas and boisterous roosters. Sun, then storms; mild breezes and sleet. Happy fishing and beautiful lettuce and greens. Surprise wine and a week's worth of soup.
"This place is much like home without the distractions and anxieties. I take from here the resolve to make home more like this week. Thank you Ann and Pat for providing this space, this beauty, this time of rest. May it continue to bless more and more people as you continue your Great Work of caring for Earth and all her inhabitants." -- Jane Balenger, OP, Heartland Farm, Pawnee Rock, KS
"'O God What a Morning' Deer grazing in the north field, a hawk soaring in the west, no doubt looking for breakfast, a full moon setting in a clear sky, and then a bit later-sunrise. What a show. Thanks God." -- Mary Lou B.
"What a wonderful weekend. I needed to get away from the big city life to think, pray, read, meditate. I found the right place for it. This place is good for my soul. I will most certainly return here. Warm blessings." -- Garrick Voth, Oklahoma City
"Strawbale Hermitage must have been a long time dream which called for much hard work as it came to life. Thank you for your great effort. It is a most peace-filled, comfortable and charming place. I am grateful for these three days surrounded by the sounds of nature and covered over by a dome of blue with lazy clouds. God has blessed me here. May God bless you also. Thank you." -- Susan D.
"We enjoyed the pond and watching the stars and I liked catching grasshoppers, kayaking, listening to the sounds of nature." Mason, Maranda, Bryce and Sherri
"Thank you. I have had a balancing and purifying experience; hoping to take some of it back with me. As Persing said-the zen you find on the mountaintop is the same zen down below. I appreciate the opportunity to live in this special place for awhile." -- J.
"Thank you so much or making me feel like family during my 2-week WWOOFing stay! I'm so glad I got to know you and learn from all the great projects y'all have going. I've met some incredible people and activists while here, which is a huge inspiration." -- Hannah
"Quiet, restful, beautiful sunset...I could go on and on. thank you for sharing this wonderful retreat with us! The beekeeping seminar was fun and educational too. Wish we could have stayed longer. Good friends, good food, good fellowship-what more could one ask for? Can't wait to come back!" -- Nancy and Steve
"Awoke to a thin covering of snow and brisk cold north wind-the changing of the seasons. Thank you. Thank you for this place of respite, renewal, encouragement!." -M.L.B.
"First glimmers of light
The hoot of an owl
The words of my teacher
This house made of earth
Many things made by loving hands
I am encouraged
To put my hands to work
And to know the work as good,
As enough for today.
Small steps are still steps.
Hearing the owl in this moment-
Is a step, a connection.
Morning arrives and I am awake
The farm offers its gift
And I am here
To receive it
With a grateful hear." - Pat W.
"Thank you for this in-between time, time to sink into solitude -- accentuated by the drumbeats/heartbeats of our friends from the north who are here to practice saying no to violating the earth. I will leave with their music, and the soul-full music of this place, in my spirit..." Susan
"I like feeding the alpaca and playing in the sand." -- Cohen, age 6
"Thank you very much for showing us the farm and taking us on a hike. I really appreciate it." -- Eden, age 9
"This was a great place to stay. I'd give it a 10 out of 10. I learned a lot while having fun. Best Mor-Mor Camp ever!" -- Colton, age 11
"Thank you for giving us your time and energy. You have made an investment in us! We certainly did "praise God under the open skies" in the labyrinth, the fields, the creeks, in our unstructured play and with each other. Hallelujah!" -- Gala, age 67 (aka "Moder")
"Thank you for this in-between time, time to sink into grieving and solitude-accented by the drum beats/heart beats of our friends from the north who are here to practice saying no to violating the earth. I will leave with their music, and the soul-full music of this place, in my spirit..." -- Susan
Read More...
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Green Connections' Earth Day Festival 2013
Green Connections is a 501c3 Not-for-Profit corporation committed to helping people connect with Earth and learn to live more sustainably. We welcome the opportunity to bring their programming to Turtle Rock Farm.
You may send tax deductible donations to Green Connections, 5900 CR 90, Red Rock, OK 74651. Or you can donate on the Green Connections website. Or, go to our website - www.turtlerockfarmretreat.com - and click on Green Connections, and use Paypal to send your donation.
Meet our board members:
Green Connections: Kay Adair, Vicki Rose (treasurer), Elizabeth Box Price, Dorothy Gray, Pat Hoerth, Ann Denney, Mary Moloney, Shauna Struby (president,) Tom Temple
Turtle Rock Farm Advisory Council: Barbara Hagan, Bruce Johnson, Corey Williams
T ransition OKC is a program of Green Connections. Find out more about its work on its website: goinglocalOKC.com |
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Connect to Our Blogwww.turtlerockfarm.wordpress.com
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1234 Main Street, Awesomeville, MA · 555.555.5555
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