Relatives

Michael Stocker
[from newsletter 9]

Dear Relatives

This newsletter—our ninth—marks the beginning of Seven Circles Foundation's fifth year as a supporting organization. We have mounds of gratitude to express to each and every one of you for your support and encouragement. To go into the simplest detail would tax the available print space, but I would like to mention some of our new supporting community members. Thanks to Jim Fournier of Solstice Grove, we now have a new sweat lodge and a new place to pray in Marin County. We also have a new lodge in Livermore, hosted by Daren and Nancy, and their daughter Quinn. Thanks so much to all of you for keeping the fires burning.

Verlinda Montoya and Sheila Burke are making their land in Potter Valley available again for our Autumn Hambleche-Vision Quest camp. Folks will be "up on the hill" as you get this newsletter. We would like to express thanks to them for hosting this, and our Spring 2000 Hambleche camp as well.

Fred's brother and mentor Jim Wahpepah passed on in his sleep recently, and Mojave Nation roadman Nelson Fernandez passed on in December—a long time friend of Rupert Encinas and Fred Wahpepah. We are also sad to report that a strong Descendants of the Earth community member, good relative, and fine musician Josh Clayton Felt passed on to the Spirit World in January. Our thanks to Creator for the chance to know these lives. A good journey to all of you—thank you for making this world a better place.

Rupert and Jodi Encinas and their daughter Garnet have a brand new family member, daughter (and sister) Talia Mashath. Barrie and Bonnie Joyce are new grandparents as well, thanks to their daughter Bessie. Fresh off the press as I write this: On September 12 Alyssa Wolf and her husband Randy became parents to Juniper Gabriella! Congratulations to all of you.

We would like to honor Lottie Rose on the June 12 completion of her 70th trip around the Sun. She continues to be an inspiration—a stalwart supporter of the spiritual quest, and of Seven Circles Foundation. May she continue the good journey with health, joy and prosperity for years to come. Brian Elder and Shane Christian celebrated their landmark "50th" this September. Thanks guys for your good prayer and strong support. Elder Al Smith celebrated his 80th birthday last spring. We can thank him for having the courage to bring the Tipi ceremony into the full light of U.S. law—placing one of the significant keystones into the religious freedom act. A prayer for him when you tighten up that water drumÉ

Due to insurance reasons, the San Geronimo School will no longer be available for community sweats. Our deepest gratitude to John Kaufman and the teachers and board members of the Lagunitas School District for eight years of their wonderful hospitality and support. Many of us will remember this site as our "on-ramp to the Red Road." Thanks and Aho!! Thanks also to Kristina Flannigan for her ongoing support; prayers to her for her bright new future. Please keep your prayers strong for Joe Slattery. He is just now awakening with a new set of lungs. It was "touch and go" there for a while, but it looks like he will be joining us again in ceremony.

Our wood splitter fund pulled nearly $1000—almost enough for a new wood splitter, but not quite, so we're still collecting. Thanks to all who contributed, and thanks in advance for those who are going to "kick it over the top" with your donations.

Thanks to board members Brian Elder and Pam Stark for spearheading our "Sweats for People in Recovery" with sister non-profits DAK and The Turning Point. This appears to be shaping up as a real successful program.

All of these thanks, and I'm just getting started; we could publish a whole newsletter on GratitudeÉ

—A ho, Michael Stocker
[from newsletter 9]

Main  Schedule  Sweat Lodge Ceremonies  Pipe Ceremonies
Vision Quest  Sundance  Joke  Other Ceremonies  Newsletters