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By Theresa Knapp

Sherborn —The Order of the Bards, Ovates and Druids celebrated Winter Solstice at the Peace Abbey on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

The Druids celebrate eight ceremonies a year. The Winter Solstice welcomes the sun back and is a “new beginning,” said member Sarah Fuhro of Natick.

“For the last three years we’ve been at the Peace Abbey, and part of that is because we usually are doing them [ceremonies] on public land, but the Peace Abbey is nice because it’s private land and we can have a large fire,” said Fuhro, noting the Boston “grove” has been in existence for about 20 years.

Cat Hughes of Berlin has been involved with the Order since 2005. She attended this year’s Winter Solstice with her toddler son.

“This is one of my favorite ceremonies; I really like the bonfire,” said Hughes, noting that she attends a ceremony every six weeks. “It’s a nice contrast between the really cold weather [and the hot fire] and it’s neat to see the light shining in the dark of winter which is the major symbolism of the ceremony — the return of the sun.”

According to http://www.druidry.org, the Winter Solstice (called in the Druid Tradition Alban Arthan [the Light of Arthur]) is the time of death and rebirth.

The site says “Druidry is for some a spiritual path, for others a religion, and for others a cultural activity. As a spiritual way or philosophy, Modern Druidism began to develop about 300 years ago during a period known as the ‘Druid Revival.’ ”

James Dempsey is a Shamanic energy healer with the Order, and has been involved since 2003 when he first met Fuhro whose “grove”’ does a lot of rituals at the Boston Arboretum which Dempsey frequents.

“We’ve been coming to the Peace Abbey for this particular ceremony for three or four years,” said Dempsey, whose wife, Liz Tobin, is also an energy healer. “It’s nice because the mission of the Peace Abbey goes with our mission; the goals of Druid practices are similar to the practices of the Peace Abbey such as embracing Mother Earth.”

This may be the last year the Druids will celebrate at the Peace Abbey, however, as the buildings are up for sale.

“Hopefully we can sustain ourselves,” said Dot Walsh of the Peace Abbey.

According to www.PeaceAbbey.org, the Peace Abbey is dedicated to creating innovative models for society that empower individuals on the paths of nonviolence, peacemaking and cruelty-free living. They offer a variety of programs and resources that teach, inspire and encourage one to speak out and act on issues of peace and social justice.

Photo gallery – Celebrating the winter solstice at the Peace Abbey in Sherborn

The Peace Abbey is a spiritual oasis that’s tucked away in the wooded hamlet of Sherborn. The multi-faith retreat center is home to the Pacifist Living History Museum and Emily the Sacred Cow, and over the years has hosted well-known visitors like Mother Teresa, Howard Zinn, Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou, and, most recently, Joan Baez.

But the future of the Peace Abbey is up in the air. Faced with mounting bills, the cash-strapped nonprofit is appealing to the public and hoping that an angel investor can save the place.

Peace Abbey supporters are doing whatever they can to help. On Nov. 6, they held a fundraiser at Roots and Wings in Natick. About 250 people attended the benefit, which raised $3,000:

The folks at the Peace Abbey want to continue to offer peace and social justice programming in Sherborn, and they’re on the lookout for a like-minded organization to purchase the property. If you know anyone who might be interested, check out their latest newsletter (PDF) or contact the Peace Abbey office at 508-655-2143.

Meanwhile, the Peace Abbey continues to operate as usual. The campus is located at 2 North Main St. in Sherborn. Yoga classes are offered Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and meditation sessions are held on Sunday mornings.

Visitors are welcome to check out the museum, animal rights memorial, and the rest of the grounds 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

If you haven’t been before, it might be worth checking out…before it’s too late.

– Emily Sweeney

Prayer for U.S. Military Killed in Iraq

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Nov 092011

Peace Abbey volunteer Madeline Champagne had been recording the total number of U.S. war deaths in Iraq on a sign outside the Peace Abbey, but during the winter of 2007 she decided these men and women deserved more recognition than just a number. In the Peace Abbey Coffeehouse room in the lower level of the Conference Center Madeline began building a memorial consisting of a wrist band with the name of each of the U.S. service member killed in action in Iraq. The wristbands are linked in a series of hanging chains that extend for many feet along the walls. The effect is moving and memorable.

Now, as the troops will be coming home from Iraq by the end of this year, it seems a fitting time for The Peace Abbey to dismantle the memorial and have a final tribute for these men and women.

We encourage everyone who is able to participate in this process. Please come by The Peace Abbey to spend a few moments to be a part of this extended prayer. Even taking down a few wristbands will make you part of the prayer–spend whatever time you can.

Each participant will cut one or more wristbands from the chains, remove the plastic covering, and honor each individual by reading aloud the name, age, and other information. (Scissors and staple removers will be on a table downstairs, along with a container to hold the wristbands.)

Once all the wristbands are all taken down, we will have a ceremony to burn the wristbands and scatter the ashes on C.O. Hill.

A listing will be printed and kept in a book in the Peace Abbey Multi-Faith Chapel.

Dover-Sherborn Press: Roots and Wings holding benefit for Sherborn’s Peace Abbey

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Nov 022011

By Staff reports

Sherborn —Faced with foreclosure again, the Peace Abbey in Sherborn is hosting a yoga and bodywork event at Roots and Wings in Natick on Sunday, Nov. 6. The event lasts from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and will feature various sessions, including yoga, an information session about the Abbey and an art sale.

Long-time Abbey volunteer Dan Dick, and others like him, would hate to see it go away.

“This is a place that brings all aspects of nonviolence together,” he said.

The Abbey serves as a haven for vegetarians, pacifists, conscientious objectors and any one who seeks peace, both in the world and within themselves.

For Dick, the Abbey served as a home when it opened its doors to him and his family after a house fire left them homeless in 2008. To this day, the Peace Abbey is “my spiritual home,” he said.

Ellen Fine, who called herself an occasional decoration at the Abbey, said that it’s a place that has meant a lot to a lot of people.

The Abbey, which has encountered financial trouble in the past, is facing roughly $300,000 in debt.

Fine said, “Peace is a costly thing to achieve.”

And, while the event on Sunday will not bring them close to that goal, “every little bit helps,” Dick said. “It would be a great loss for the area and for the spiritual.”

The property consists of old buildings, animals and a memorial park that all require attention, which only increases the need for financial support.

Its most famous resident was Emily, a cow who escaped from a slaughterhouse and was bought by the Peace Abbey after she was captured. Some people considered Emily to be a wise incarnated soul. People came from across the world to see the cow known for being very friendly to everyone.

In the past, celebrities such as Yoko Ono have come forward with support the Peace Abbey.

Dick said, “We keep hoping there’s someone that can make a substantial contribution.”

He added that the Peace Abbey has vacillated between being able to be self-sustaining and looking for outside investment or even selling the Abbey.

Despite its struggles, the Abbey continues to welcome guests daily, and continues to hosts its traditional Sunday morning meditation and multidenominational peace prayer sessions.

“The energy that comes from this place is just amazing,” Dick said. “It’s almost unthinkable that this place wouldn’t exist.”

Yoga and Bodywork Benefit on November 6th!

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Oct 252011

Roots & Wings Yoga and Healing Arts in Natick, is generously offering a Yoga and Bodywork benefit for the Peace Abbey on November 6th, Sunday, from 9 am-3 pm.

All proceeds of the classes that day will go to the Peace Abbey!

Yoga, art, massage, information sharing and some good old down home mingling! The fun starts at 9 am.

9:00 – 10:30 am Breathwork with Mare Tomaski, suggested donation $25-35

10:45 -11:45 am Feel Your Bliss with Svaroopa Yoga with Melissa Fountain and Annette Bongiorno, suggested donation $15-20

11:00 – 3:00 pm Artisan Sale, all artisans will donate an item in which the full proceeds go to the Peace Abbey.

12:00 – 12:20 pm Spirit Groove with Lisa Lewton

12:30 – 1:00 pm Get to know the Peace Abbey with Director Lewis Randa

1:15 – 1:40 pm Family Yoga (all ages) with Elizabeth Goranson, suggested donation per family $15-30

1:50 – 2:20 pm Nia with Donna McGurk, suggested donation $5-10

2:30-3:00 pm Yoga for the Peace Abbey followed by Closing Ceremony

All proceeds from yoga classes (and one item from each vendor) will be donated to
The Peace Abbey our efforts to avoid closing.

For more info call Mare at (508) 788-0906.

Plan to join us for some bodywork!
Roots and Wings
317 North Main Street
Natick, MA 01760-1115
(508) 315-8088

Older Entries

The Passing of Gabriel the Cow

WickedLocal Sherborn: Druid ceremony at Sherborn’s Peace Abbey celebrates the return of the sun

Peace Abbey Library Catalog Now Online!

Media Coverage of Gandhi Statue at Occupy Boston

Boston.com: Have you visited the Peace Abbey?

Prayer for U.S. Military Killed in Iraq

Dover-Sherborn Press: Roots and Wings holding benefit for Sherborn’s Peace Abbey

Yoga and Bodywork Benefit on November 6th!

Madeline Champagne presented Joan Baez with the Peace Abbey Award in a small private ceremony following her concert in Boston on November 6. Her concert expressed her lifelong commitment to peace and social justice and was brilliant in every respect.

Follow the Peace Abbey

PEACE ABBEY VISITORS – NEW SITE