Sanctuary Communities

 
 
 

           Holding sacred space for the development of community


Community development is a key component of the Sanctuary’s mission. Without true community, our efforts at spiritual evolution and the building of a non-violent and sustainable world are vulnerable to despair. The Sanctuary offers a place dedicated to the hope for a truly diverse community of communities which is safe for individuals of all religions, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, etc. The Sanctuary nurtures community development by hosting meetings and community-based events for various local networks where people can come to hone spiritual skills through participation in dialogue, meditative practice, creative exploration and interaction. Some of the communities who call the Sanctuary home include:


Active Contemplatives of the Sanctuary (ACTS)

The ACTS support the local LGBT community in and around East Haddam. The ACTS have been involved with the Sanctuary for many years, building much of the infrastructure and making up a unique dimension in the inclusive vision of spirituality promoted by the Sanctuary. They currently meet on the third Saturday of the month. Anyone looking for support and community is encouraged to come. The ACTS also host a monthly LGBT film screening evening, on the third Saturday as well as a Sacred Circle meditation ritual on the Fourth Sunday. The film night and meditation events are open to all.



Earth Charter of the Lower Valley (ECCoLov)

The Earth Charter Community of the Lower Valley is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the message of the Earth Charter - a peoples’ declaration of basic principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society. As a worldwide effort it focuses on four basic core values: Respect & Care for the whole Community of Life, Social & Economic Justice, Ecological Integrity, Democracy, Non-violence & Peace. ECCoLov hosts monthly lecturers, presentations and film screenings/discussions at the Sanctuary. For more information visit their website www.eccolov.org.



Dream Workshop Group

This work group’s focus is to explore, through discussion and free association, the interpretation of dreams. Open to anyone interested, they meet on the first and third Thursdays of the month.



Poetry Potluck Group

This group is not about sharing your own work but the work of beloved poets. Hosted by Suzy Lamson and Edwina Trentham, this group meets usually on the first Sunday of the month.



Open Community Meditation Group

This group meditates regularly each Sunday from 11 AM to 12 NOON in the Sanctuary yurt. The group is led each week by someone from within the Sanctuary’s extended family of spiritual and holistic health practitioners, offering a context for exploring a diverse set of meditative practices and techniques.



Drumming Circle and Music of the Moment

There is a drumming circle that meets on the first Friday each month. Weather permitting the group meets at the Sanctuary peace ring which offers the perfect place for rhythmic communion, otherwise in the yurt. Sometimes the group hosts Music of the Moment - an eclectic open-mic situation open to all kinds of musicians and ears.


Other groups who meet at the Sanctuary include


OM-fly circus yoga


East Haddam Garden club


82nd Airborne Vietnam Veterans Support group


Lower Valley Painters club


Northeast Sustainable Energy Association



We are always looking for new partners and friends. If your group would like to meet at the Sanctuary, please contact us at (860) 319-1134 or at info@oursanctuary.org. New groups which will be partnering with the Sanctuary include: a local home-schooling group, a song-writer’s group, life coaching group, sexual violence support group for women, energy healing group working on PTSD issues with Iraqi war veterans, a partnership with local Family services for troubled local youths, a partnership with Camp Farnam (Durham, CT), and a partnership with a non-profit which works with homeless teens from the Hartford area.