Rev. Carol E. Parrish, Ph.D.

Hello friends,

We received another notice of the new show times for the Sancta Sophia Seminary video. For those in and around Knoxville, TN you can view it on television station WPXK ION at these times:

Knoxville    Saturday       8/16     5:30 PM     WPXK ION
Knoxville    Monday         8/18     4:00 PM     WPXK ION
Knoxville    Wednesday   8/20   4:00 PM      WPXK ION
Knoxville    Saturday       8/23     10:00AM    WPXK ION
Knoxville    Wednesday   8/27    4:00 PM     WPXK ION

For those who have not been in one of the program’s broadcasting areas and would like to view our segment of the program, it is posted on the front page of Sancta Sophia Seminary’s website. Click here to view.

Love, Carol

Greetings, friends.

I am trying to get back to my letter writing. I have been learning PowerPoint and am enjoying it very much. I was a bit intimidated before I began because I do not feel as “techie” as some do, but I am doing fine. Katherine Z, our new “baby” minister, is very good and was my coach and encouraged me a lot, so off I am going. She has gone home to Wisconsin now, so I am flying solo. Wish me well!

Another loss in the community network: Joy Phelps, who lived here for a number of years, passed away last week. There is a special memorial service for her at the Unity Church of Oklahoma City next Monday, August 4th and I am leading it. Her family and friends are joining to send her into the Light with our love; please join us in thought. I know a number of you met Joy when you visited the Village some years ago; she worked in the office for a long time.

Another piece of news is that Ilina Abadjieva, a friend from Bulgaria, is here visiting for about ten days. We have had a good time, and Ilina has been taking part in everything. It is fun to see us through the eyes of a guest. Ilina does Paneurhythmy with the group; she knows Phyllis Thorpe, George Kilmer, Randolph Friend, and Kathy Lamb, who have all been over there for special programs. We are delighted to have her with us for this brief time.

Now back to our story about Asia Minor (mostly Turkey today): tonight I will make comments on Istanbul. Remember Turkey was a major area for the Mystery Schools. There were many different temples, teachings, beliefs, and ideologies located here. This country had a vast seacoast where supplies came in and out and travelers could catch a boat to far away places—much easier than trying to hike the Spice Route. Today the ruins of Ephesus are about 3 to 5 miles from the water. The silt coming in blocked the harbor and the city moved a couple of times before surrendering to its fate.

The ruins throughout Turkey are wondrous; we come away in awe of the sites we found. I am sharing a few for you to enjoy, but know this is just the tip of the iceberg. Before moving to Istanbul, here are just a few shots of Konya, where we saw the Mausoleum of beloved Rumi. I cannot recall whether or not I showed any of them before.

You may click on thumbnail images for larger view. Hover over image for description.

Now we are on to Istanbul: Remember the town of Byzantium was already 1,000 years old when, in AD 326, Emperor Constantine the Great began to enlarge and rebuild it as the new capital of the Roman Empire. Constantine made this region the home of the Christian tradition as Rome became more and more violent. The Byzantine tradition made its home here; Constantine made Constantinople his city, and here the first Sancta Sophia, small compared to the later one, was built. Here the emerging new Christian faith was anchored.

In time this new faith would spread from the British Isles to Asia Minor. The faith was fostered by the apostles who spread out in all directions to tell the story of Christ Jesus. Each shared their understanding of the message Jesus delivered, and so the faith had many different perspectives. The diversity of the early church fit well with the Byzantine land of diversity.

Istanbul, once Constantinople, spreads out, linking Europe and Asia. A huge city, it provides excitement, ruins, modern entertainment and ancient history at the same time. In 1500, the Ottoman Empire overran the land and actually treated its diverse people very well. Other faiths were respected and diverse people continued to visit as they had for centuries. However, in the four hundred years of the empire, most persons became Muslim and other faiths evaporated.

Now the most outstanding places to see are:
1) Hagia (Sancta or Saint) Sophia, also called Aya Sofya in Turkish. This was the largest church in the world until St. Peter’s Basilica was built 1,000 years later.

2) The Blue Mosque, officially the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet. Surrounded by six minarets until a seventh was added in the 17th century, it is gorgeous and huge. The inside is decorated with 20,000 shimmering blue Iznik tiles interspersed with 260 stained glass windows; it is light, airy, bright and beautiful.

Then we are off; still within walking distance to
3) Topkapi Palace; the number one tourist site in the city. With its many buildings on the shore of the Bosporus, we rest on the shoreline, right where the Bosporus meets Golden Horn. We enjoy for a short time imaging what it would have been like to share life Sultan-style. We sit under the trees and eat in this breathtaking site like the Sultan before us, enjoying the breeze.

We visit restaurants, churches of old, and two markets especially. The Bazaar was founded in 1400 AD with roughly 4,000 stalls, little shops, in this enclosed site where most any purchase can be made. Turks are friendly merchants and take delight in trying out various languages, bargaining, talking with tourists and enjoying the banter that occurs here in this unique place. The Spice Market was founded in the 17th century to generate rental income to pay for the mosque next door.  Both sites are colorful, unique in the colors bombarding your senses as you walk through the hallways and the strong smells that entice the senses.

No visit to Istanbul would be complete without a respectful visit to Bulent Corak, a spiritual teacher, who has kindly entertained our groups a number of times in the past few years. Bulent is a dear friend and has been most generous to all the groups when we get to see her.

Carol and Bulent

Bulent’s Hospitality

Our group looking local

Happy summer days!

Love,
Carol

A happy event for all of us! We have two new practitioners: Cindy McGinnis, from the Village, and Sue Van Dyke, from Comstock Park, Michigan. Our newest minister, Katherine Zakutansky, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was ordained. It was a lovely service and our ladies sure sparked it up with their comments. Who can you trust? When these get a podium they know what to do with it.

Honorable advisors were Rev. Peggy Eaton for Cindy McGinnis, Teacher Betty Carper for Sue Van Dyke, and Rev. Tom Simota for Katherine Zakutansky. Of course, as the Ordaining official, I got to pop in and out among the stars.

All remarks were well appreciated and indeed, they helped the audience to get to know anyone they did not know beforehand. A very fine reception followed with gift tables piled high. I always like to see the lovely things ministers get these days, and like to remind the receivers that when I was ordained we only got Bibles and Crosses. My, how times have changed!

Below you will see the honorees, advisors and I. After the ceremony we went to the reception to “eat cake,” as you shall see.

Blessings, Carol

Practitioner, Cindy McGinnis - Rev. Katherine Zakutansky - Practitioner, Sue Van Dyke

Greetings, folks!

Tonight I wish to share with you the profound wonder that is Ephesus. We all know the Bible book Ephesians, and sometimes we have not put this together with Ephesus in Turkey. There are wonderful things to see, and we did try to take it all in on our journey.

Before I get into the stories of Ephesus, let me give you the new showtimes received today for the Sancta Sophia video. During July, the video will be showing in California at:

San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Thursday 7/3 7:00 AM KKPX ION
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Thursday 7/10 7:00 AM KKPX ION
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Thursday 7/17 7:00 AM KKPX ION
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Thursday 7/24 7:00 AM KKPX ION
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose Thursday 7/31 7:00 AM KKPX ION

Back to Ephesus and some exciting photos from our trip of such magnificent ruins.

First, let’s recall that Ephesus was a major center in Asia Minor at the time of Jesus. Here were temples to try disciples of almost every major wisdom tradition. Wisdom teachings say that many widows and elderly gathered around these temples knowing that they would receive care and protection in some way as they identified with the tradition of which they were a part. Ephesus was a major center of learning. Located as it was between the land of the Jews and India, it was a major center for Jewish merchants, and this is why Paul came to see the community of Jewish people who were waiting for the Messiah.

As we moved through the walkways, we would see names, inscriptions or statues of many different holy ones. When many in this city converted, it became a major Christian city, and so all of us are somewhat familiar with its name at least.

We need to also recall several of the first major councils of the Christian tradition were held here. Efforts began with lots of interfaith care; only later did the dogma and doctrine gain a foothold within the new religion known as the Religion of Light and Love that comes from the west. Interesting to see it that way, is it not?

This first photo shows the overview of the magnificent ruins of the great city. It is profound. Imagine what Paul, the apostle, would have seen:

Here we see a couple of great street scenes:

Below you will see more of the city as our group observes all we can hold of the beauty and majesty of what we are seeing:

Now we see the stadium where Paul addressed the people of the city; this is where they rose up against him when the silver statue makers were frightened that this new religion, like the Jewish one, would not respect statues and carvings. The financial threat stirred the people, and Paul escaped with his life.

At the edge of Ephesus, we visited the house determined some years ago to be the home for Mother Mary after Jerusalem fell into violence. After the death of James, the Christians fled into hiding. Many went to Cappadocia, to Ephesus, and other cities where there were Jewish populations. Mary and John, the beloved, are said to have fled to this region.

The first Christian Cathedral here was named The Cathedral of John, the Divine. Ruins of it are actually under construction at this time. The first visit very little was in place, but each time I have gone back, more has been reconstructed. Below is the baptismal fount—profound to see after all these days.

We must remember that earlier converts to Christianity were baptized usually on Christmas Eve or Holy Saturday so they could celebrate with the Christian Community their faith on Christmas Day or Easter. See the baptism pool and wonder how many were blessed in this place.

Mary had a small home on a nearby mountain (about the size of Sparrow Hawk Mountain) with a stream close by. Now the water is called healing water and persons today–Islamic, Jewish and Christian–prize the water. We brought it home and have shared it with others.

Below are some of the photos of Mary’s house, as it is called today. The Catholic Church declared this a place of pilgrimage some many years ago, and two popes have come here. Pope John XIII encouraged visits here and issued dispensations for pilgrims. It was a profound place to visit. There is a Mass here each Sunday.

This is definitely a sacred site; made sacred by the holy woman who finished her life here, as well as by the devotion of many who have come and honored Mary in the years since this was determined to have been her home.

The people in the crowds that come are almost all Islamic, as most people in Turkey are. We need to remember that Mary is mentioned more in the Koran than she is in the Bible. The people have come here in numbers to pay their love and respect for more than a hundred years. How blessed we were to be here, some of us now, more than once.

A friend of many years, Father Tarcy, welcomed us, and we sang our Sancta Sophia songs during communion and at another time during the mass. Afterwards we said the rosary in the chapel at the rectory and enjoyed a bit of time with Father.

Here is a shot of us sitting in the outdoor setting for the mass. We joined others who come here for Mass. It was hot in the sun.

Here is a beautiful shot of the altar in the chapel. See the beautiful Icon of Sophia gracing the center place over the altar. Father Tarcy is from India and has great regard for the divine feminine.
here.

Here is the group gathering after the rosary celebrating the beauty of the day.

Another issue of our Travel News will come next week as I have time.

In other Village news –

Update: Grace Bradley is doing better, although she has a pattern now of up one day, down for a couple, then up again. Marjorie Stuth doing very well; she is continuing to have outpatient tests, but is recovering at home and up and about. She has been coming to Fellowship Hall for lunch, and we get to visit with her daily. Lucille Perry is home from the hospital, but will have frequent blood tests and is on blood thinners. Remember Jeannie Thayer in your prayers; she is having a difficult time with a variety of physical ailments, as well as in her hard year after her loss of Roger.

I spoke with Pat Minard today. She said her family and friends are wonderful, and she is doing as well as she can without David. All of us miss David (and Pat) from the Village. We love them both and look forward to having Pat at the Village at a future time. She says she looks forward to being here.

That’s all for now. I am off to Olivet, Michigan for the Coptic Retreat. I will be home again late on Sunday night, and Tom Simota and I will be teaching Advanced Intuitive Training for Public Work next week.

Blessings, my friends. I hope you enjoyed the report on our wonderful pilgrimage. We certainly enjoyed it!

Love,
Carol

P.S. One of our travelers was a friend from Austria, Susanne Schaup. Her response to the trip follows and is most interesting.

A Memorable Trip to Turkey
By Susanne Schaup

It was an adventure and something of an experiment, too: to join a group after travelling on my own for most of my life;

(Continue reading…)

Greetings,

It has been a busy and delightful week. We have had a fun Intuitive Development class, which combined with Shustah and other community activities makes for a busy time.

A few pieces of Village news:

Grace Bradley has been having a couple of rough months now and needs some healing sent her way. It has not been a major crisis, but one thing after another, which has left her with one good day and two poor ones in that pattern, over and over. We are sending energy to her and are asking you to do so as well.

Also, Lucille Perry has had a complication. She is hospitalized with blood clots in her right leg and in her right lung. She is receiving treatment and she is receiving medication intravenously to help dissolve the clots. Lucille does not like being in the hospital; she is not at all happy about this, and so she, too, needs prayers. Lucille has long been a “no heroic measures” case. She just needs right action in her life. Send her support, please.

In addition, Marjorie Stuth is doing well. She is home from the hospital, walking with a cane, feeling a bit tired and worn for it all, but today she went out with me to do our usual Nursing Home Service. The people there love Marjorie and were delighted to see her. So I am most grateful that she is doing so well.

The Festival of Humanity celebration here was quite nice; you might want to listen to it, if you are one of our listeners. Tonight we are celebrating Summer Solstice. We do like our rituals and mystery training.

Some more about our recent Turkey trip…

The next visit on our Turkish tour was Pamukkale. If you have not heard of it, realize it is a large area–spanning a number of mountains–that is white from liquid calcium deposits that have built up for thousands of years. From a distance, this looks like snow-capped mountains. The hot liquid is the result of volcanic activity deep below that heats the fluids, and they surface and flow over the ground. This natural wonder of the world has been deteriorating over the past ten to fifteen years seriously, but now UNESCO has taken it under their wing and made several changes to protect this unusual place.

It is famous as having been a heating place for the Romans. They took tired soldiers and persons with joint and feet problems here to soak in “tubs” they dug in the material to let them have some R and R; we did the same.

Here is a photo of some of the ladies at play…

…and a wonderful shot with Rodger walking on the calcium.

Enjoy, and as my life becomes a bit calmer I will send another installment of our journey.

Love,
Carol

Here we go, continuing our ride in the bus. We are off again:

One night we enjoyed the dervishes and afterwards visited with a gentleman while having the loved apple tea . . .

We continued our journey from Cappadocia and travel to Catalhoyuk, where in a discovered 9500 year-old mound came the unearthing of spectacular murals and the now famed woman figurine giving birth called “Mother Goddess.” Excavation continues to go on here and we had an interesting time seeing how such work is done. It is laborious, to say the least. The figure, which was found in a grain bin, is believed to be the grain mother, Cybele. She is rich with signs of abundant life—not only the idea of birth, but of plenty in her voluminous size. She reassures us that our needs can be met. I have one of the statues from a previous journey and I treasure it as a part of my Sophia, the divine feminine collection.

Also here, we each posed for a photo with the most gorgeous fields of purple flowers. Here you can see Katherine Z and me. We decided this should be a book cover, it was so magnificent.

Next we went to Tyana/Nigde for the Apollonius Conference. This is a highly speculative topic and of personal interest to me—a topic I have studied for some years. In a broader context Apollonius has been called the Pagan Christ, implying that he matches the story of Jesus in unimaginable ways. It is fascinating, but since I have said all that I have about the topic, I leave it for you to investigate.

Some of you saw the photo of Aytun Altindal and me as we received recognition from the mayors of the local area for bringing the conference to their area. Everyone was very gracious. Aytun is a famous poet who got into legal difficulties some years ago for his stand for human rights. He is also a researcher who has been writing regarding Apollonius. We had an interesting tour at the Nigde Museum, which is identified as the third best museum in Turkey (they are all rich with antiquities). Following was a program and luncheon at the University, and a question and answer panel with Aytun and I responding. It was great PLAY!

As we traveled on we arrived at Konya, the home of Rumi and to his Mausoleum—a place of great regard. Turkish people love Rumi as well as the world does, so many come here and revere the place. As our bus arrived, a gentleman greeted me with a book of 931 pages of the writings of Rumi, in English, published in Turkey. It is profound; also I was given a lovely statue of Rumi that is a real treasure.

Another nice happening here was that we were taken to dinner by five handsome young gentlemen representing the Turkish Interfaith Association. This is new to Turkey and this connection was made through Turkish Dialogue Organization in Tulsa. The entire concept is new to this land where there are very few other than Islamic people, so they have few with whom to dialogue. A statistic I got out of Istanbul is that only 2% are Christians and I could find no figure for a Jewish population, although I know there is a small number.

So off we go to Pamukkale—one of the seven wonders of the natural world. UNESCO is now protecting this unique area. In the ten years since I have traveled to this part of the world, I have seen the damage down to the rich, white, mountains and I see now how they are attempting to save the area for future generations. Again this is an area where Turkish people come to see the richness of their own land.

It is believed that Paul visited here and preached. There is a huge amphitheatre to be explored as well as hot springs in the hotels in which we played at night. The natural water is rich with iron, colored red, pumped up into fountains (ours was shaped as a volcano) reminding us that we were in an area with live volcanoes around us. We swam, played, ate and explored. We walked the white mountain, made up of liquid calcium pouring out of the ground for centuries.

One of the stories I like is that the Romans—yes, they were here too—brought the soldiers here for R & R. They soaked their tired feet, ankles, legs and whatever in holes dug in the deposits of white (looks like liquid sand) calcium. These tubs were among the first hot tubs in the world—smart folks those Romans—they did not miss an interesting place in the old world.

As Turkey travelers, we journeyed on, passing fascinating scene after scene. The culture in the countryside and small towns are quite different from that of the cities. Here we see the ladies on the street during the day hours; in the evenings, ladies are home. Only the men are out and about.

We photographed these native women, smiled and approached them. Some welcomed our greeting, some did not acknowledge. The cities are more modern, especially Izmir, Istanbul and major areas of even small cities. We loved the quaintness.

Even peacocks love Turkey!

We did a quick visit to the Temple of Aphrodisias, and here I am explaining the way the chakras were demonstrated on a huge statue of her. This is a beautiful place, not overly large, but a great example of the talented people of the past.

Everyone has to pause and rest sometime . . .

And again we are on our way.

To be continued . . .

I am glad to be home and anxious to share as much as I can with you. For several days I will be adding to this message as I know I cannot say it all to you at one time; I cannot express all my joy and reward from our group travel, nor can you digest it all at one time.

Let me begin by saying our group was wonderful! We added up to 25 persons in a big bus, air conditioned, spread out one to a row except when persons chose to sit together.

We were under the tutorage of Mehmet, a Turkish tour guide and friend who has taken our people on trips for five journeys now.

Mehmet is very similar to Torkom Saraydarian, although probably neither of them would like that comparison. He is a bit short, Turkish build, has lived in the U.S. off and on since he was five years old, and tends to be “masculine” in his style. From time to time he and I have heated discussions, and he can shift to be more accommodating. I like Mehmet and I know he can see us through the “difficulties” that arise as we confront the unknown of the culture and regulations.

Shown below is Mehmet in his role as guide and instructor as we travel. Note he talks with his hands, as most of us do. There was a large map of Turkey behind his head which helped us to see where we traveled.

One of many highlights of the trip for me was the Turkish bath experience. From the time I had my first such bath, I have been eager to have others share in this. I am going to quote my own newsletter comments on this event:

Once upon a journey . . .
Nine maidens lay nude resting upon a heated circular marble surface with a palm tree on a pedestal in the center. Arches define the dedicated space as our bodies stretch out on polished stone, responding to the steam, heat, and water as skilled hands find our aches and pains. Relaxation comes inch by inch. Gracefully we turn over, slipping and sliding in soap bubbles that cloak us head to toe. Bodies scrubbed, hair shampooed, rubbed shiny bright, we leave the Turkish Bath and hail an Istanbul cab to return to outer life with our inner children revitalized.

I love these treatments and encourage them, especially in the old style—much more exotic than in the modern hotels.

I had another interesting massage; it was in my hotel room in Sofia, Bulgaria where I went after the group returned to the U. S. I had four days of delightful exploration there to see what I could see.

The massage therapist, a lovely young lady (who chooses only to work with persons on the spiritual path), came to me through the group leader. This therapist uses honey as a detox medium. She mixes thick honey with some white powder making a paste to spread first on the back after relaxing you with a hot towel. Then the mixture is carefully spread over the back and let set while hot towels are on the back of the legs.

When sufficiently “set” she uses a technique of something like “pinching” (not a good word but quite descriptive of what occurs) the back removing the mixture off of client, while putting it on her own forearm. Then she wipes the back and reapplies hot towels while doing the back of the legs in the same manner. She removes all the mixture and rubs you with aromatic oil (in my case, lavender). When the backside is done, we turn “sunny side up” for completion of oil rub on arms, front of the legs and a wonderful hands and foot massage.

Since the lady spoke no English and I spoke no Bulgarian, I have no idea why the torso or face was not touched, but at that relaxed point, I did not care. She indicated “drink water” by handing me a bottle and sleep by hand motion. I carefully followed instructions and away she went—a lovely experience.

Cell phones are everywhere, and I had mine on global so I was right at home with their world. The cost is reasonable and I could stay close to Charles and the office. I placed my calls home at 11:00pm to reach home near naptime (3:00pm Oklahoma time). I love the ability to reach home; it helps me feel connected as I am half a world away. I recall the days of hunting a phone box in London, expensive calls from hotel rooms, and wrestling with phone cards I never really trusted. The best blessing of the cell phone is the secure feeling it grants.

Now I want to send fun-filled pictures of our group as we adventured across Turkey with captions (they may or may not approve):

Here is a fantastic photo of , where the Christians hid out for several hundred years prior to and in the first years of the early church. Others had long used the caves to protect themselves from raids and/or enemies. There are still frescoes, drawings, etc. to be explained. See below

We did meditations at a number of places; here we are doing our daily work at a cave in Cappadocia thinking about our forefathers and mothers who found grace and safety here.

Below we shall see a near mob scene we got into when we were on the street and begin talking to the women and children. There were many more who came to greet us, but here we see Nancy Veres and the joyful greetings we found everywhere we went.

Day by day I will try to send more of our journey….love, Carol

June 1, 2008

I am pensive today. It is the church’s birthday. Twenty seven years in Sparrow Hawk Village, where an intentional spiritual life is held as the collective goal. We celebrate our achievements and restate our goals. I share with you my morning thoughts. Bear with me, please.

It is 4:18a.m., and it is my first morning back from the Mediterranean as I sit on the back deck watching the dark sky with its tiny stars looking back at me. Everyone else in the house is asleep. My cat comes by to make a tiny sound and welcome me home. He wipes against my bare feet; he forgives me for being away so long. I, like all the other travelers, are dealing with early awakening—our body clocks are hours off-cycle.

The lightning in the distance tells me there is to be another thunderstorm nearby. My heart is very full as I ponder how this small town girl experiences such a depth of joy, beauty, awesomeness and such pain, grief, and sorrow? My inner nature whispers back, “It is the dichotomy of the human condition.”

Today is the 27th birthday of Light of Christ Community Church. How has so much unfolded? Such wonderful lives have touched ours? Charles, Grace and I were like three pilgrims following a star, a prayer, a hope and we each know we have been blessed.

Yet my heart asks, “Who will carry this work forward?” Where will the energy, the money, the inspiration that is needed come from? How will the group find its way?

Trusting the Village in the hands of others is the big lesson for each of the three of us as we find ourselves growing older, caring so much, draining the cup of each day as we seek to complete all that we can. Trust has always been fairly easy for me. God, Grace, Sophia, the Christ, whatever name we want to give to the Presence, has always walked close at hand and yet this a.m., looking at the deep dark sky, I ask the questions I never want to ask.

As we rejoice in the 27 years we have had, I want to see the future in living faces, in financial support, in eager students and happy rest. I reach out to each heart and hand to ask, “Are you the one on which the next stage depends”? I hope so; today I pray so.

Thank you to each who has journeyed with us; go with us into the future.

From each of us, I know how deeply we thank you,
Grace, Charles, and Carol

As April rapidly turns into May, I know when our group returns from Turkey it will be June. So soon, so swiftly we race from event to event, from idea to idea. June is the time for personal growth. We move toward Summer Solstice and the peak growth time of the year—all nature sings, minds seek awareness, hearts want to love and be loved.

Come to an event. Grow with us. Enjoy others who are longing for enlightenment just as we each do. There are new folks to greet, new ideas to ponder. Time takes us from course to course and event to event.

I want to mention a friend, from Kansas, DaEL Walker. He will be here late May (after Grad School) for a weekend. He is an interesting and powerful worker. He has done a lot with Crystalotherapy, works with both Crystal Skulls and crystals, and I believe is planning to bring a skull with him. His work is very experiential and especially healing. He is recognized by the South American Conference of Alternative Therapies as best of conference. He was a keynote speaker at the World Summit of Alternative Therapies held in Mexico City—and on and on.

DaEl and I have been trying to find a mutually convenient time for him to visit us. We have him now for a brief weekend, and he is going to let us sample a variety of subjects to get a taste of his know-how. If you want a weekend adventure come to the Village May 30- June 1. I will just be getting home in time to enjoy you as well.

Go to the website www.sanctasophia.org for a greater spread of summer fun and adventure. Coming to the Village is a nice vacation spot, as well as to study. Many use it as their yearly retreat. We can help plan your retreat of rest, massages, reading, contemplation, and playing on the river or perusing the Wisdom Studies Specialty Library. We have much to share, and look forward to doing so with you.

Hold the Love-Wisdom of your being like a torch to light the Way.

Blessings,

Carol

Greetings,

My thoughts are more and more rapidly turning to Turkey and our journey. We have been able to add an additional site to our trip; Bodrum is considered one of the major tourist sites due to its magnificent coastal coves and harbors. Here we shall visit the famous St. Peter’s Castle and enjoy play time.

Our group is numbering 24. Twenty-one of us are from the USA, and we are being joined by a gentleman from England who has traveled with me before, a woman, author and friend, from Austria, and a friend from Costa Rica, who really is a world traveler par excellence. She spends part of her year at home, part at Iona and part in India. She and I will be going on a quick jaunt to Sofia, Bulgaria at the end of the trip for me to see the Sophia Cathedral there—to fulfill a long held wish of mine.

Spring has really sprung here in Oklahoma. The Village is awash in wild white Dogwood, wild and planted Redbuds, blooming orchards and spontaneous little blue flowers peaking out from the grasses and unfolding along the roadside. So, true April showers do bring May flowers. I have gotten my flower beds planted; they have had to survive some spring storms—some really windy and some quite cool, but all is well. I am leaving them growing wonderfully well and in Charles’ good care.

April and May turns the Ozarks into fairytale land. The rivers are rich with vitality, the skies ever shifting and swirling, and the woods alive with fairies and the hearts and minds of humanity awakening and ready for activity. It is when I see all of this that I understand why I am at Tahlequah. Life is fresh here and wild at times, but with energy bursting forth to push and move all of us to new life each year. Having been here now near 27 years it is still wondrous to see the seasons change and each season we are indeed, born to new adventure.

Oklahoma has space and dimension, unsettled and processing, we find here people of stability and hard working values, yet kind and extremely honest. I have been amazed so many times at the effort some local will make to be honest and giving of him or her self. Of course, our people are wonderful. They have come to Community to give and receive; if people do not want this, then Community is not the place for them—it is expected if one becomes a part of spiritual family.

It is shocking what is happening in the Texas Polygamist Ranch. It is also very sad to think what some of those mothers and children are going through. As we watch we are seeing the worst aspects of community playing out in front of all of us and sometimes I wonder what happened to the first Christian Communities that our own system broke down. What occurred that we did not remain bonded; was it political, materialist, the openness to such diversity, or was it abuse of some kind, also?

I close saying I celebrate the Pontiff and his apology for the Sexual Abuse of the Church. Too much suffering, too long hidden, thank God in Heaven, the time is now upon us to realize the damage done in closed systems and unchecked power. I believe the Pope is attempting to allow America to see the softer side of his nature; we have all heard his brilliance and his outspoken remarks for which he has been criticized. It is nice to see this side of his nature.

I travel; I love it as you all know, and I will delight in sharing when I return.

Blessings,

Carol