Page 25 - Bulletin #67 - November 2020

Community Meditations, have all been revamped for Zoom (video communications). And,
a number of workshops and programs are generously being offered online, at reduced
rates or for free, during this time of staying-at-homeness.

For all of our communal infrastructure and responsiveness, the humanness of feeling
isolated, depressed or fearful under this mysterious, world-wide viral threat is very
evident. Whether living in a housing cluster, as a family, or on one’s own, a sense of
aloneness and loss of control over our daily lives and the future can take grip. Various
initiatives are underway to raise awareness and help ease such suffering, from providing
personal befriending and counseling to sharing public education information. While
there have not been any confirmed tested cases of COVID, a few of our members have
been ill and are in various phases of recovery. And some are grieving for ill or departed
beloved family and friends. So, like people everywhere, we live with unknown
probabilities, being vigilant yet mindful of gaps in our wellbeing.

Whether by blind luck or truly inspired insight and guidance, prior decisions, some made
very long ago, serve us well in this current time. We are fortunate to be located in a
sparsely populated area with relatively low rates of outbreak and with ready access to
bay, beach and woodland for daily outings. We have a vigorous food sustainability
programme, which we are boosting with our gardening. But most importantly, we benefit
by being held in a strong ethos of community spirit.

Many of our community members are not only keeping well informed, but are active with
local and global initiatives to slow the spread of the pandemic. There are world-workers 25
amongst us who, in monitoring the pulse of what’s happening out in the world, remind us
to hold compassionate thoughts and prayers for those without the privileges and
blessings that we experience. Intellectual, monetary and energetic contributions are
given with the hope of healing humanity as we navigate through these unprecedented
times. Never have the ending words of our Whole Community Purpose document rung
more true: ‘Together we aspire to respond to the call of the world, to the call of our time.’

Lorraine Rytz-Thériault
NFA Listener Convenor

Lorraine Rytz-Thériault is the NFA Listener Convenor. Her position with the New Findhorn
Association is elected by the membership to work alongside a voluntary Council addressing
the needs, concerns and aspirations of our community. I draw on a professional
background comprised of Small Business Consulting and Community Development to serve
my adopted community.

Credit: This article first appeared in C.A.L.L. #46, Summer 2020 - Communities at Large Letter
Intentional Communities Desk: http://www.communa.org.il