From: webmaster@nerflings.org
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 01:54:48 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: TG report?
Does anybody have any objections if I put the
following reports (minus personal identifying
information) on the Web page?
http://www.nerflings.org
Since I was at Nerf TG council, I should have
written something of my own, but never
got around to it.
-- Web Master
Nobody objected, and a couple people said yes, so here it is. In case it is not clear, NYS stands for New York State, which is where the council was held, TG is Thanksgiving, and KK (not her real initial) is the person who hosted the event in her home. In the next message agr stands for alt.gathering.rainbow, a Usenet newsgroup. (Somebody calls it a Google Group, but I am pretty sure it existed for years before Google was founded. On the other hand, Google has a good way to read it without the bother of setting up your own Usenet server.)
------- Start of forwarded message -------
From: somebody@example.com
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 13:31:45 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: TG report?
In addition to the bit below from Texas, TG went on
in NYS. Over the course of the weekend, we had 31
people attend (this includes all the many children,
but not friends and relatives of KK who dropped by,
people just dropping off hitch hikers, etc.) Some
only came for one day. I can't even begin to count
the multitude of domestic animals -- it was a
wonderful menagery. Everything was cozy. KK was
wonderful, and did an amazing job of stuffing us
with delicious holiday foods.
We did do an "actual" circle, along with many side conversations and "sub-committees of interested folks" [CALM / magic hat]. The feather circled a number of times, and it all went well. Didn't consense on anything, but that was not needed at this point. People stated their hopes and concerns for upcoming events, and got the feeling that they would all work out in due time in some fashion.
"Upcoming events" included:
------- Start of forwarded message -------
Well folks, I am writing this summary of my
experience at the Austin Thanksgiving counsel...
First off, there was no "actual called circle" as is traditional, however, less traditional and more informal circles happened with folks sharing ideas and heartfelt discussions about what the family should focus on for this year's gathering. A lot of that was summarized in the November 22 report that can be found on agr.
The most important information, in my opinion, is where does scout rendezvous happen and when? There was no circle or consensus but there was a general agreement among the folks present that the scouts will go where they choose to begin scouting. Each year a rendezvous point is selected. That took place this year according to those folks who already committed their energy to scouting this gathering. Out of respect, I am not posting names on agr. Here is the information as it was presented to me.
SCOUT RENDEZVOUS: Haley's Ferry, on the border of Texas/Louisiana in the Sabine National Forest. This site is near Huxley and Shelbyville on the north end of Toledo Bend Reservoir in Texas.
Scout Rendezvous date is set for Monday, April 16, 2006. Anyone wishing to get involved in scouting or to share information on sites, be at this scout rendezvous.
This is in Texas juxtaposed to Oklahoma/Arkansas in north Texas. Start scouting there because of weather then branch out.
A lot of positive energy was shared with hopes high to resolve the conflict surrounding this year's gathering, the choice of states selected, the involvement of the forest service federal folks and the site of Thanksgiving counsel. A lot of concerns were expressed over the usual permit issues and sanitation/safe site selection. The main thing to remember is that the family needs a safe, healthy place to assemble for the yearly prayer pilgrimage. If that energy can be our focus, then the gathering will be a spiritual expression of love and healing. Prayer for peace is the purpose. All else is part of the experience involved in thousands of folks assembling together.
"Come on people now, smile on your brother/sister. Everybody get together, Love one another right now." This is the chorus to a song that was shared by folks at the counsel. It seemed to permeate the air.
Folks paid tribute and respects to Steven Kublin (I hope I spelled his name right). A friend from Paonia brought some earth from the sweat lodge where Steven prepared for one week by purifying in the lodge before leaving for Thanksgiving counsel. A candle and this earth were placed on an altar at the Enchanted Forest, on the altar for the dead. Photos of Steven were shared, prayers made and his presence was with us in the circle and on the land at the counsel. Much love and good journey to Steven Kublin. Be at peace, brother. You are loved by many.
There is more that can be discussed. There is no "official report". It is customary for me, to take notes at counsels and in the court room. I do this out of love and the desire to share with my family. If any one has questions, please ask.
No banking counsel was selected. A previous counsel exists and will carry forward to the spring counsel on the land where and when folks can choose this year's bank. Generally, nothing much comes in over the winter. This process has happened before according to some folks who have been gathering for many years.
A PO Box for the family still exists in Paonia, Colorado at PO Box 934. The zip is 81428. If anyone wants to volunteer to create a box in the region of Texas/Arkansas/Oklahoma, do so and let folks know where to send the mail. Otherwise, there was no consensus on any thing because a counsel did not actually form, so no PO Box was selected. To my knowledge, there is no information that came forth from the counsel in Oklahoma. If any one has information about that counsel, please share with the folks who want to know, on this forum and others. I would appreciate an email from Oklahoma folks who attended the Thanksgiving counsel there. Clarity and truth is better than rumor. Co-operation with one another is better than contention. Let us all put a spirit of love back into preparing for this annual gathering of the tribes of the Rainbow Family of Living Light. If any one has further questions, please ask on this forum or email