| |  | Branch Library For information, to take out a book or to arrange a visit, contact Valerie Hope, portlandanthroposophy@gmail.com The Book Catalog is now on our website – the ‘search’ function is really helpful. To schedule the space for an event or meeting Contact James Knight, j365@yahoo.com Contact the Branch Council: portlandanthroposophy@gmail.com Website: portlandbranch.net | |  | Dear Friends, As you may know, the Branch was offered $4,000 toward our library rent this year - if we could match it. Thanks to you-all we are most of the way there, having been gifted $3,115 so far, with just $885 to go before the end of the year. We are grateful for all of your donations, large and small, and hope that together we can meet our goal.
With best wishes for you and yours in this Holy Season,
Valerie Hope, James Knight, Kathy Rem, and Walter Rice, Portland Branch Council
| | In the ‘Tribute’ Section please indicate that it is for the match. | |  | Why Celebrate The 100th Anniversary of the Christmas Conference, and the Laying of the Foundation Stone Together? | Tuesday, December 26, 3-5 pm Monday, January 1, 3-5 pm Saturday, January 6, 3-5 pm (Epiphany)
Library/Community Space 5415 SE Powell, 2nd Floor Entrance off parking lot behind the church | We will come together on three afternoons during the Holy Nights to deepen our experience of what Rudolf Steiner accomplished on Christmas and during those Holy Nights in 1922/23, and what its importance is for our continued development, both individual and community, today. | Planning is underway, with contributions from the Foundation Stone group, which has been working for more than 3 1/2 years with the Foundation Stone Meditation and its relationship to the being Anthroposophia; and the dodecahedron of love that Rudolf Steiner created and placed in the hearts of some 800 members present amid the charred ruins and the cold at the Christmas Conference of 2022-23.
Among the aspects that group members will bring: an account of what was accomplished at the Christmas Conference and why it was not merely an esoteric lesson, but was in fact a mystery deed; the importance of welcoming the ‘supersensible being…who walks amongst visible people’, Anthroposophia, into our hearts; the part that the spiritual foundation stone plays in our development and the all-important development of community; an exploration of the Foundation Stone meditation; and for those who wish to participate, an exercise, ‘Practice Spirit Awareness’ (or, sensing, meditation, communing, or contemplation, depending on the translation.)
Rudolf Steiner Archive offers eight translations of the meditation, in honor of the hundredth anniversary, and it can be helpful to look at them all. The archive is also welcoming donations to support their stellar work.
After a brief break for refreshments, Jannebeth Röell will lead us in working together each afternoon to construct a model dodecahedron, which will remain in the library. It is hoped that at least twelve people will participate.
Those who like can bring a favorite holiday treat to share.
If you would like to help with set-up, refreshments, clean-up, or be a greeter at the lower door, contact Miriam at miriamhcosentino@gmail.com
| |  | The Shepherds’ Play will be performed at 5 pm on Saturday December 16 at Bothmer Hall.
For more information contact Wes at 503-568-5009 or reply by email to boltedupsteel@gmail.com | | Patricia and Owen Lynch Invite You to: |  | |  | |  | The ‘Stir and Spread’ event using the Horn Manure prep, organized by Denise Tester, was a great success, with plenty taken home in containers by all participants (even those not in the picture) to spread on their own properties. The warming tea and soup provided by Denise added to the festivities! The next practical event, preparing the tree paste which is helpful for the trees in so many ways (click here to learn more) will likely happen in February. For more information contact Denise at deeprootsfarm@harbornet.com. | |  | Veil bridge – Iris Sullivan | The revolution from matter to spiritIf one brings a new “impulse,” whose source is entirely within the spiritual world, and presents it as a remedy for the evils of our age, complaints are heard on all sides, from the extreme right to the extreme left, that it is all incomprehensible. Of course one does not understand it if one wants to retain the old forms of thinking. But today it is necessary to overcome these old forms, remodeling one’s whole soul inwardly. All external revolutions, no matter how agreeable to this or that party or class, lead into the worst of blind alleys and will bring the greatest misery to mankind if not illuminated by the inner revolution of the soul.
This means throwing off one’s absorption in the purely materialistic view of the world and preparing actively to receive the spiritual wave that is willing to invade human evolution as a new revelation. The revolution from matter to spirit is the only salutary revolution; all others are only like diseases of childhood.
Source: Rudolf Steiner – GA 193 – SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF TODAY – Heidenheim, 12th June, 1919, presented by Rudolf Steiner Quote of the Day. Art work by Iris Sullivan, ‘Veil Bridge’. | | Library Improvement Updates |  | Dear Friends,
Great gratitude to those of you who have volunteered to help with bringing the library up to speed! Deborah Ham has begun the task of calling in books that have been taken out, preparatory to doing an inventory and updating our catalog. She is also re-designing our card system, as there is not contact information for borrowers on many of the existing cards. In the meantime, also in preparation for inventory, we are looking for someone(s) to enter new books that have been received into our excel spreadsheet. For the next step we will be calling on volunteers to inventory, comparing the catalog with what’s actually on the shelves. In the meantime, we welcome offers to clean out closets and cabinets, and otherwise beautify the space.
If you would like to offer help, or return a book, please reply to this email.
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Our library has been a real gift to the community - created by the community - in the 3 1/2 years or so of its existence! Groups have started study groups with the multiple copies we have had of some volumes, and individuals have received inspiration from the books they have borrowed.
However, we have been without a librarian now for about a year, and a number of tasks need attending to make the library all it can be! We are listing what needs doing here in hopes that you will be able and willing to help make the needed improvements. Please contact us at portlandanthroposophy@gmail.com to let us know what you can help with. Timing will depend on your availability. The tasks are: Contacting people who have books outstanding - Deborah Ham has volunteered Adding books newly donated into the catalog Shelving books that have been entered into the catalog or returned Taking inventory of what we have Organizing the books on the shelves - considering whether we want to change the organizational system we have. Arranging for books that we have for sale to be sold online. Organizing cabinets
We look forward to collaborating with you to make needed improvements and to get up to date with borrowed books so that the library works well for everyone.
Warmly …The Branch Council, Valerie Hope, James Knight, Walter Rice, Kathy Rem | |  |  |  |  | | | | Portland Branch Council Meeting Monday, December 11, 6:30 pm, Branch Library/Community Space, 5415 SE Powell Blvd, entrance off parking lot in the back. All Branch members are welcome to attend, and/or call us with agenda items, proposals, suggestions, or to observe. Please contact us at portlandanthroposophy@gmail.com to let us know you’re coming. Meetings are normally held on the second Monday of each month. | Holy Nights Observances, Three afternoons, Tuesday, December 26, 3-5 pm; Monday, January 1, 3-5 pm; Saturday, January 6, 3-5 pm (Epiphany) Branch Library/Community Space, 5415 SE Powell Blvd, entrance off parking lot in the back. The Hundredth Anniversary of the Christmas Conference will be celebrated around the world, and in Portland too! See piece in this newsletter for more details. With questions, or to help, contact Miriam at miriamhcosentino@gmail.com | Calendar of the Soul with Richard Steel May 14, evening Portland Branch Library Richard Steel will be touring the country exhibiting the original artwork that was created by Karl Konig for the Calendar of the Soul. When he passes through Portland for one night, he will offer a presentation on the Calendar, but time will not allow for setting up the whole exhibit. For more information contact Miriam at miriamhcosentino@gmail.com
| COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES | | Patricia and Owen Lynch Open House, Art Dispersal, and Moving Event Saturday, December 9, 1-4 pm 3359 NE 72nd Ave. Join them in a thank you to their house and home, where they raised their children, and where the first Holy Nights observances began in 1985. (among many other activities.) See flier in this newsletter for more details. | The Shepherds’ Play will be performed at 5 pm on Saturday December 16 at Bothmer Hall, 5915 SE Division St. For more information contact Wes at 503-568-5009 or email boltedupsteel@gmail.com | Clay Modeling with Maestro Victor November 27th thru December 11 5:30 - 6:30pm at Portland Waldorf School, 2300 SE Harrison St., Milwaukie, OR See flyer included in this newsletter. | Pacific Eurythmy Events - See Flyers in Newsletter Dear Friends, Blessings on the Advent and Christmas season! We want to share with you the wonderful workshops and classes that are ahead! For more information visit our website: PacificEurythmy.org, or email us with questions pacificeurythmy@gmail.com. | Holy Nights reading : Dying earth and living cosmos, CW 181 December 26, 2023-January 6, 2024 @ 6:30 pm At the home of James and Jannebeth ,3135 NE17th Ave, Portland 97212 Please RSVP (971 ) 219-5567 | ON-GOING STUDIES/GROUPS | First Class of the School of Spiritual Science. Usually second Sunday of the month with a few exceptions. 9:30 am sharp, • December 10 , Lesson 9 (no admittance after the class starts) • Bothmer Hall, 5915 SE Division St. • Remember your Blue Card. For more information contact: Cheri Munske cherimunske@gmail.com, Diane Rumage drumage@comcast.net or Rebecca Soloway rrsoloway1@gmail.com
Beginning Astrosophy Class First and Third Wednesdays, 7-8:30 pm • 8654 NE Boehmer St. • Contact Diane Rumage, 971-271-7479 drumage@comcast.net This class will introduce participants to the basic principles of Astrosophy in a study of the works of Willi Sucher and Diane Rumage’s work with the stars, with indications that Rudolf Steiner gave for those interested in the cosmos. No previous knowledge necessary. Please bring blank paper and colored pencils to the class in case we need to use them. If you are just curious if you’d be interested, please feel free to come and check us out. Free
Community Eurythmy Wednesday mornings, 8:45-9:30 at the Portland Waldorf School, 2300 N. Harrison St. Portland, Or. See flyer included in this newsletter.
Building Stones for an Understanding of the Mystery of Golgatha, (GA 175). Ten lectures given in Berlin between March 27, 1917 and May 8, 1917 by Rudolf Steiner • First Monday of the month, 7:45-9:00 pm • Currently conducted in person and on Zoom • Contact Heidi Sheppard, HSHEPPAR@LHS.ORG Free Please join us for lively discussions.
Speech Formation and Mystery Drama Group 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm • 8654 NE Boehmer St, Portland, OR 97220 • Contact Diane Rumage drumage@comcast.net or 971 271-7479. Free No experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a love of the Word. Our group will start a new reading and studying of “The Portal of Initiation”, Rudolf Steiner’s first Mystery Drama dealing with the karma and reincarnations of a group of people around the turn of the 20th century, on April 12, 2023.
The Tarot in Light of Spiritual Science with James Knight • Every other Tuesday James (j365k@yahoo.com), is leading a class on "The Tarot" in light of spiritual science and practical occultism. This is not a class on the use of Tarot for divination. In this class we focus on the major arcanum of "The Tarot" as a practical tool for self development and insight into oneself and the world. The classes take place approximately every other Tuesday from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Branch Library Space (5415 SE Powell Blvd) Entrance off the parking lot in back of the church • This is a free class. Registration for the class happens through Meetup (meetup.com) where you can learn more about the class and RSVP at this page: https://www.meetup.com/experiences-in-spiritual-science/.
Waldorf Education and Teacher Training Lectures and Courses Conducted throughout the year by the Micha-el Institute Email us at inquiry@micha-elinstitue.com or call 971-808-1640
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A new feature of the newsletter is this Community Bulletin Board, the brainchild of Christine Badura, who now finds that she has time to make it a reality. Community members can post their offerings and/or things they are looking for. To post, please call Christine at 707-494-6741 or email badura88@hotmail.com. Possible categories that can be posted: Housing, Give Aways, Help Wanted/Offered, Announcements, Items Wanted. **** |  | | |  |  |  |  |  | |  | Please consider becoming a member of the Portland Anthroposophical Branch. The annual recommended membership is still $50, or what you can afford. Annual memberships renew every January. This supports our newsletter, our community workshops, presenters, festivals, branch rent, website, and library.
Please join, renew, or donate (for instance to the $4,000 matching grant for rent) on our website at https://www.portlandbranch.net/don(ations/. If you send a check, we will receive 100% of your donation. Make it out to Portland Branch, and send to: Portland Branch *c/o Valerie Hope * 2606 SE 58th Ave. * Portland, Or 97206.
Thank you for your commitment, your participation, and the community building your help gives to ensure that Anthroposophy is alive and in action here in the Portland area. | | | Great gratitude to the members and friends who have donated thus far in 2023 to make this newsletter and our library/community space possible:
Anne Kollander Diane Schell-Rowley Donna Patterson Geelim Soowhan Jeremy Davis Julie Foster Karen Nelson Kimberly Sinclair Laura Elmore Linda Sussman Lisa Masterson Mark & Valerie Hope Marsha Johnson Michele Limas Miriam Ward Nancy Peirce Pamela M Rico Robin Lieberman Robin O’Brien Amada Eastman Anca Harriton Barbara Strong Betty Baldwin Brian McClure Cheri Munske Christine Badura Constance Stokes Cyndia Ashkar Deborah Ham Diane Rumage James Knight Jeremy Davis Jerry & Rebecca Soloway Kathy Rem Kendall Weaver Kimberly Sinclair Lisa Masterson Lucy O’Neal Magic of Waldorf Marsha Johnson Mihoko Lunsford Miriam Ward Nancy Peirce Pamela Rico Rene Kehwald Robin O’Brien Rod Endacott Sandra & Wes Burch Susan Andrews Timothy Kennedy Tish Johnson Vicki Hess-Smith Waldorf Travel Service Walter Rice | |  | Embryo in Us & Embryo in Motion: Two Seminars with Jaap van der Waal. Two separate DVD sets recorded live in Portland in 2010 & 2017, available only here. These two seminars explore human prenatal development and show how biology is expressing the essence of human spiritual enfoldment. Jaap van der Wal, PhD, MD now retired, was an associate professor for anatomy and embryology at the University of Maastricht, Holland. Contact the Portland Branch. | | | | | |
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