December at The Trees
I noticed my Christmas cactus bloomed early this year even before the start of Advent…..a shimmer of hope in the midst of a heavy week.
For days, my front porch overflowed with food from my neighbors for our friends at LEAP….another small shimmer of hope. Did you know that The Trees hosts preschoolers from LEAP (Latino Educational Achievement Partnership) one day a week each week for a nature field trip? We are thrilled to have this partnership and the opportunity to share the abundance of nature with our younger friends. And when our friends ask for help, we rally together to provide food. What a shimmer of hope it was to walk into St. Luke’s to see so many people coming together to help and so much food for our neighbors. In this season of ever approaching darkness, what sources of hope are you noticing? I am clinging to the words of Bishop Steven Charleston, a citizen of the Choctaw nation and a Native American Elder,
“I will not abandon my belief in the coming dawn
just because I dwell in the midnight hour.”
Friends, the season of Advent is upon us, time to notice signs of hope in our everyday life and to practice searching for the “coming dawn”. Sometimes it’s easier to share in the darkness and find hope in community. Consider coming to The Trees and joining the Beloved Community on Wednesday, December 17 at 6:00 PM for a Blue Christmas Service or join us for one of our expanded Quiet Days this month.
With Hope in the coming dawn,
donations from neighbors
packed groceries ready for delivery
Featured Events
Expanded Opportunities for Quiet
in December!
Dec 2, 9, 16 • 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Join us Tuesdays in December for quiet, connection, and centering. Our trails and labyrinth will be open, shared Simple Presence silence will be offered at noon and a restorative yoga nidra will be available from 1:15-2:00 pm. You are welcome to join us for these offerings or design the time in a way that is best for your soul.
Consider changing up your normal schedule to add some intentional soul care into your life this month. We are seeking to offer support to nonprofit leaders, therapists, caregivers, clergy, guides, all of those holding space for others in these times.
This opportunity is free and open to all.
All Creation Waits:
Intergenerational Advent Gathering
Saturday, December 6 • 4-7 pm
drop in
Join St. Philip’s Family Ministries for an Advent gathering at The Trees. The time will begin with a reading of the Advent book “All Creation Waits” and a walk to see some new artistic creatures in the woods. We’ll then have a time of building the light and watching the light grow in an Advent spiral, plus soup for dinner and s'mores by a fire.
Blue Christmas Service
Wednesday, December 17 • 6 pm
Christmas time can be a difficult time for many. For those who experience grief, loneliness, sadness, or loss during this time of year, The Beloved Community at the Trees offers this quiet liturgy of a Blue Christmas Service, in which we can offer our sorrows to God and receive assurance that we are not alone.
Winter Solstice Yoga Class
Sunday, December 21 • 10 am - 12 pm
Special Solstice class
Welcome in the Winter and celebrate the Solstice with a 2 hour yoga workshop! Our work will leave you grounded, centered and feeling rested. There will be lots of warming hip openers and settling lower body work. We'll finish with a deep "yoga nidra" practice - guided meditation for restorative rest.
Supporting our Partners
Jingle Bell LEAP 5K
Saturday, December 13 • 9 am
This event supports the Latino Educational Achievement Partnership which provides quality bilingual pre-K education and tutoring to elementary and middle school students.
More info and sign up HERE
Weekly Offerings
Beloved Community Worship Service
Sundays 4:45 pm
Prayer of the Anglican rosary, followed by a worship service with Eucharist. A simple supper is served afterwards.
Learn more hereMorning Yoga with Olynda
Thursdays 9:00 - 10:15 am (Dec 4, 11, 18)
These all-levels classes will continue to explore the "pranamayakosha" or energy body through December. We will use poses, breath, meditation and deeper understanding to balance and clear the energy body.
Drop-ins are welcome. Learn more hereNature Journaling with Liz
Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 am (Dec 5, 12, 19)
Slow down and observe the changing of the seasons with a nature journaling practice. No experience needed – you don't need to be "good" at drawing to enjoy tuning in to nature!
no sign up neededPrayers and Poetry
Fridays 12:00 - 1:15 pm
Experience the beauty of prayers, poetry and nature at The Trees.
no sign up needed
The Beloved Community at the Trees is an Episcopal faith community exploring together what a life of faith "outside of a church" may be.
Weekly worship, support groups and fellowship activities. All are welcome.
Visit our website to
learn more about The Trees,
see the full schedule of offerings,
and register for events.
Looking Ahead
Yoga and Visioning with Olynda Smith
Sunday, January 11 • 9 am - 12:30 pm
More information hereFireside Conversations with poet and author Melinda Thomas
Thursday, January 15 • 5:30 - 7 pmA warm pot of soup and hospitality will be available from 5:30-6 and then join us for poetry, stories, meditation, and conversation with Melinda Thomas, author of Elements of Being: A Spiritual Memoir In Verse.
All are welcome! Sign up here
The Trees Winter Workday
Saturday, January 17 • 10 am - 2 pmBundle up and join us for a day of working on our trails and property. We will break and gather together at noon for a chili lunch. Thank you for considering sharing your time, gifts, and talents on this weekend of service supporting The Trees and honoring Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
All are welcome! Sign up here
Bake and Pray: pre-Lent retreat with Kendall Vanderslice
Saturday January 24Are you looking for an opportunity to slow down, to recover from holiday madness and prepare for the season of Lent? In our time together, you will learn to bake a simple loaf of bread—along the way, though, you will learn how to use your time in the kitchen as an opportunity to meet with God and explore the ways God is revealed to us through bread.
Event is appropriate for ages 12+. More info and sign up here
In Closing
Perhaps it takes
A lifetime
To open our eyes,
To learn to see,
What has forever
Shimmered in front of us –
….the love
So searing
We cannot keep
From singing.
– Jan Richardson, Circle of Grace
With Gratitude
We are so filled with abundance, trust, and deep hope here at The Trees. We are grateful for all donations to The Trees or gifts in honor or memory of a friend. This is a growing ministry and all resources are used to care for the house and the land. Gifts are tax deductible. Please let us know if you'd like your donation to support a particular project.
