November/December 2013

The Edge of Doubt

There is always the edge of doubt. Trust it. That’s where the new things come from. If you can’t live with it, Get out because when it is gone you are on automatic, Repeating something you've learned.

Let your prayer be: Save me from that tempting certainty That leads me back from the edge, That dark edge Where the first light breaks.

Albert Huffstickler

Pierrot Georges Rouault Publication announcement Celebratory Birthdays The book Pilgrims and Troubadours is now available. November – December 2013 Alexandra and Wil- Becoming 90 liam Riggins are mod- Christa Haftstein, Heiligenberg...... 23 December ern troubadours and pilgrims. In the course Becoming 85 of fifteen years, they Marianne Schneider, Minnesota...... 17 November have traveled to for- ty-eight countries on Becoming 80 four continents with a guitar, a tent and two Susanne Steinke, Berlin...... 17 November bicycles. They have Sonja Elmquist, Mourne Grange...... 30 November cycled some 33,000 Turid Engel, Überlingen...... 7 December miles (54,000 km) visiting holy places Becoming 75 and singing for peo- Heidi Byrde, Perceval...... 7 December ple along the way: in schools, nursing Becoming 70 homes, rehabilitation Brenda Patterson, Delrow...... 1 November centers, prisons, churches, hospitals, hospices, kinder- gartens, and in private homes. Living according to the Daphne Hancock, Newton Dee Village..... 3 December gospel precept, “freely ye have received, freely give” Sylvia Gordon, Delrow...... 28 December (Matthew 10:8), they do not charge money for their music, nor are they sponsored by any organization. Rather, their journey has been supported by God's Birthday congratulations to Andrew Richard Locket providence and the kindness and hospitality of many of The Grange, who was 70 on 21 August. Andrew’s people along the way. In the autumn of 1996, Alexandra and William re- birthdate came in too late to be included in the August ceived a calling to live as troubadours and pilgrims. or September editions. We apologise. They gave notice on their jobs and rental apartment, sold or gave away most of their possessions, and flew to . They soon bought two bicycles and began Please let Sandra know of any special 70th cycling in the spring. This book contains descriptions of their experiences birthdays coming up in 2014 or any other along the way, a summary of some of the important additions and changes: lessons they learned, open letters writen on the road, [email protected] photos, original drawings by Alexandra and a brief tel: +44 (0)1224 733415 summary of practical advice for bicycle pilgrimage. The book is intended for people of all religions, phi- losophies or world-views. Alexandra and William are themselves Greek Orthodox Christians, but they visit and sing for people of all religions, confessions and Contents world-views. It is a travel log with ‘close up’ accounts of foreign countries which can only be had when Inner experiences of organisational change walking or cycling through a land. It is also a journal Tom Burns...... 1 of spiritual development and a summary of many of The meaning of threefolding William McClain.....3 their insights gained along the way. Anne: a portrait of a girl Carola...... 4 Ordering Information Remembering Bill Peter Howe...... 5 Author: William Riggins St. John’s and Utøya Simone Wantz...... 5 Cover: Full color, by Alexandra Riggins Obituaries: Karin Herms 6 / Betty MacMurray 8 Interior: black-and-white original artwork and photos Elaine Ryan 8 / Dorothy ‘Tot’ Avis 9 Pages: 263 News from the Movement: Publisher: self-published Ordering: Internet. Two methods: Calling all young people! Let’s get to work 1. Go to www.lulu.com and search for the title or Marcin Miereczko 12 author Camphill essentials Valerie Sands 13 2. Go directly to this address: Invitation to the Camphill Archive www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/ Foundation Meeting 14 pilgrims-and-troubadours/1399539899 Review...... 14 email: [email protected] Letter...... 15 Inner experiences of organisational change Tom Burns, Thornbury, England

his article is my attempt to understand the underlying the unfolding of the will at the centre of all being there Tdynamic that occurs within individuals experiencing arises the will to offer to another being something that organisational change. My primary motive in this attempt is part of our own Self, from the core of our will. The is to bring a research attitude into personal experiences term Steiner uses here to convey the gesture of the will of organisational change, and to see what I can learn offering is ‘sacrifice’ – something wholeheartedly and from this that can inform the development of the Stroud freely given to another out of the will’s innate nature to Harbour Community project. (See my article in the unfold itself through offering the warmth of its essence. March/April 2013 issue of Camphill Correspondence.) As A fascinating consequence of this gesture of the will, we are all aware profound change has been happening which can be validated through personal experience, is in Camphill communities in the English region for some that if it is received fully by the one to whom its substance time now, and many people within Camphill have found is offered, an experience of light can arise both within the changes affecting them to be deeply challenging, the one who receives and in the one who offers. This painful and even personally devastating to their sense light is of the nature of experiential wisdom – the light of purpose in life. of awareness dawns after the offering of will has been I have deliberately chosen to make the focus of my made. It is reflected back by the one who receives and research question to do with the inner realities of organi- becomes authentic knowledge, rather than intellectual sational change, as it occurred to me recently that the knowledge in the one who offers. My own experience only way I could begin to address the inner experiences of teaching in Hibernia led me to this perception on arising in me through organisational change was to seek the occasions when I experienced my teaching com- support once again through ’s lectures on ing from an intuitive grasp of the essence of a subject. The Inner Realities of Evolution. These lectures have been However, the offering I would always attempt to make a source of inspiration for me ever since using them to had to be found each time through the daily wrestling facilitate an inner experience, through painting, of the with the threshold experience of existential emptiness dynamics of world evolution for students at Hibernia that usually greeted me each morning. And, I have to School for Artistic Therapy (quite a few years ago!). I admit; sometimes I did not have the courage to endure became convinced that the fundamental gestures and the fear and loathing of the emptiness and could not dynamics revealed through these lectures could be teach that day! validated through my own life experience and through What I have tried to describe has led me to ask if the an artistic process. I also realised that personal crisis experiences of organisational change that I and many and modern experiences of threshold phenomena can others before me have gone through and continue to find a grounding context within what Steiner describes. experience, can help us to integrate the profoundly The central experience from which Steiner’s lectures disruptive event of having to leave an organisation or arise is found in the attempt to truly understand the ‘envi- of staying on in a reduced capacity of influence? To ap- ronment of the ego’, as he calls it. In other words – what proach the salient experience of either having to leave, do we find as the core experience of our self-identity or having to step back, I am not seeking to apportion when all outer props to self experience are deeply chal- blame but rather to see in the first instance what I can lenged or fall away? For anyone who is going through learn from the experience. I do so out of being part of a life crisis this is a profoundly unsettling challenge, as the organisation that has affected the leaving or margin- the core of this threshold awareness is that we are faced alising of former carrying members of the organisation with what Steiner describes as the ‘dread and fear of the and then witnessing the effect within me of being party infinite emptiness of existence’. Often our instinctive to this and seeing how the ones who have become response is to draw back from this awful awakening and excluded have been affected. I also can stand within seek solace in distracting behaviours – all the addictive the experience of becoming an ‘outsider’ within the supports we put in place to cover over the chasm of the organisation, challenged with finding meaning within infinite emptiness of our existence. But there is also a a marginalised position. more life-affirming path that can lead us through the As Steiner’s lectures on The Inner Realities of Evolu- awful realisation of emptiness at the core of our being. tion reveal, at the core of all human beings is the striv- For most modern people who learn to endure the cen- ing impulse of the will to offer its substance of warmth tral experience of emptiness, the awareness can arise to another. When this happens we achieve a sense of that within the emptiness the dawning perception of ongoing unfolding of our will as taken up by another the warmth of our own courage simply to ‘be’ gradually and reflected back to us. It is a space of deep affirma- becomes perceptible, initiating a new sense of personally tion, which then leads to a radiant sense of experiential validated reality. The courage to be within the emptiness knowledge or wisdom. is an act of will. It became clear to me with my own But what if the offering is not accepted? In Steiner’s personal journey into this environment of the ego that lectures, the rejected offering creates the damming up at the core of my being is the warmth of my will waiting of the will’s motive for being (which is to reveal itself to be discovered through my consciousness. But this is through the sacrificial offering). This leads to the experi- only the first stage in the unfolding of our will, as the ence of becoming isolated and cut off from the other(s) to awakening to the warmth/courage of our will is not a whom it is offered. The experience of the ones who find destination, but a starting point for personally initiated themselves within an organisation where their offerings development. In Steiner’s description of the next stage of are either rejected or find no place is characterised by 1 develop, my position within it has evolved to the point that my own will has become separated from the further development of the organisation. I am tempted to say that my future is in the lap of the gods but, in truth, it is in the lap of my own will. One aspect of the further unfolding of the experience of becoming separated from the organisational will has become clear to me: when the offering of personal will impulse can- not be accepted by others there appears to be a continuum of change arising from the dammed up will impulse. I am partly reminded of the five stages of griev- ing that Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified in those who have to face up to death. We can also see these five stages reflected in all crises in life that challenge us to let go of past behaviours and at- titudes that prevent us from moving on. It is not surprising that these five stages become part of the journey in trying to separate our personal will offering from what we have hitherto experienced when it was received by the organisation. So de- nial, bargaining, anger and depression become companions in the journey towards the gateway of acceptance to which our will is leading us. It seems to me that on this journey these first four stages are ever changing, each one rearing its head again and again until the will is purified enough to finally move on. But I can also see that remaining too long in the process of journeying towards the threshold of acceptance leads to the dammed up will becoming consumed by bitterness. Instead of serving life the dammed up will turns against life. In Steiner’s lectures we can read how the rejected offering in other beings becomes in them an obstacle – not only to their own further development, but also to the Tomorrow will be beautiful said the shipwrecked man ongoing evolution of life. On a personal level I Georges Rouault witness the tendency in myself to become an obstacle in the unfolding of the organisation I deep isolation and lack of meaning. It leads to the will have previously served. It appears to me to be part of becoming dammed up from unfolding; the consequence the evolution of experiential learning that arises from of which will probably be anger, rage, despair, bitterness the rejected will offering. and depression. As I am still on a journey with the attempt to fully My own experience of remaining within the organisa- and authentically come to a place of acceptance of tion that decides to terminate the further participation of the separation of my own will offering from that of the those members is complex. What I have so far managed organisation in which I rather naively assumed it would to discern in my own experience was: a) relief that my find a home, I try to await with equanimity (in my oc- own will impulses seemed to have the opportunity to un- casional better moments) the further learning that I hope fold more effectively and b) coupled with this, the sense may unfold. that there was a merging of part of my own will with the To bring this rather cursory attempt at researching the organisational stance (perhaps semi-unconsciously?) of inner realities of organisational change to some conclu- isolating the individuals who would soon need to leave. sion I hope that the Stroud Harbour Community project When I was in this position I felt deeply conflicted be- (now officially registered as a Mutual Home Ownership tween wanting, as a former friend, to support the ones Society Ltd.) will strive to live out of the reality of what who became isolated from the further development of I sense to be the unfolding Michaelic will of our time: the organisation; and as a continuing member of the namely, that new organisational cultures can arise organisation, my perceived responsibility to be part of which attempt to support the free unfolding of the will the future unfolding of the organisation and the rejecting, of its members. Whether this is through an intentional isolationist attitude towards the ones who would soon community trying to foster mutual support or through need to leave. It was a situation that I did not handle with an organisation that starts off from being hierarchical, moral integrity, for which I hold deep regrets, especially the essentially human expression of that organisation for the suffering I helped to inflict. needs to be recognised and nurtured – at its core is the I am now in the situation that I always semi-consciously will offering of its members. Organisational learning sensed would happen. As the organisation continued to as expressed through Ways to Quality or through the 2 ‘presencing’ practices of Theory U, amongst others, had to move on through retirement, or through being show ways to give the personal will offering a rightful ‘moved on’ by their former organisations. Nevertheless context within the essentially human development of they have the aspiration to work together, the wish to an organisation. As an integral part of this development, learn on the way, the willingness to let go of past forms there will need to arise an organisational consciousness and seek to find together with others, appropriate forms of how to support the transition of a member who then that are congruent with the spirit of our time, and still can no longer be part of the further development of the seek to offer their will substance to pioneer a new form organisation. of intentional community. I thank my friends in Stroud One of the gifts I have received through my associa- Harbour Community for showing me a way and an ideal tion with the Stroud Harbour Community project is the towards which I can newly make my own will offering. joy of discovering the enthusiasm, the idealism and the courage of a group of older friends to undertake a project Tom Burns is a gardener and one of the founding that seeks to be innovative, radical and in touch with members of Stroud Harbour Community Mutual the needs of our time; older people who mostly have Home Ownership Society Ltd.

The meaning of threefolding William McClain, Stuttgart, Germany

hat is meant when we talk about ‘social threefold- as she may harm it through carelessness or harmful Wing’? Rudolf Steiner’s contribution to the social behaviors. External forces are sometimes welcomed, question and the identification of the threefold social sometimes protected against, and sometimes can only archetype represented by the economic, legal, and be accepted as inevitable. The formation of the child is cultural spheres remains an important component of a complex material and spiritual process, partially the the Camphill movement. As expressed very early on in result of external forces beyond the control of the par- works such as Toward Social Renewal, the idea of has come to mean an active participation in the forming of these three separate and healthy members of the social organism. No doubt many of us hear and Self portrait talk often about the goal of threefolding. As anthropo- (For Mark Sarkozi) sophical communities, Camphill seeks to organize and build community structures with the healthy nature of these spheres in mind. As such, it is important that we pause often to consider exactly what is meant when we He sets the camera’s timer, refer to the activity of threefolding. props it on his window ledge, The threefold social order is not merely a construct, as points it to the far hill. a building or monument is. Rather, the threefold social order represents the fundamental archetype of the or- ganism that arises out of all social interaction. Whether Then he walks down a tangle two individuals come together in a social relationship of wooded slopes, steps stones or an entire nation is formed, the threefold social order is the fundamental form underlying that which arises. across the Braan. He noises More than a construct such as a building, it is akin to over an old wire fence the child: it is a distinct organism, influenced by and and out onto heathered slopes. formed through a human relationship. Through the coming together of a community such as Camphill, a spiritual process is initiated that necessarily gives rise On the summit he checks to the formation of the social organism. The health of this organism depends on the activity of the commu- a synchronised watch, turns nity; those relationships that pertain to the economic, to face the far window, jumps. legal, and cultural spheres are guided by the principles of brotherhood, equality, and freedom respectively. In threefolding, the community seeks to actively nurture If we could pixel in the health of the social organism. to that picture – the hill The activity of threefolding, then, is more similar to the the tiny jumping figure – formation of a child than the drafting of a blueprint for a building. The mother is instrumental to the formation we would see his broad smile of the child, but the child is not simply a design of the caught in a parabolic moment. mother. The formation of the child in the womb is one governed by fundamental material and spiritual princi- ples, even if dependent on the mother and those involved Jon Plunkett in its care. By providing for the child, both actively and Corbenic, Scotland passively, she assists in its proper development, just 3 ents, but nevertheless dependent on them for its initiation and healthy progress. The Anne: a portrait of a girl formation of the social organism is a com- Carola plex process as well, guided by material and spiritual activity and dependent on Carola was the carer for seven year old Anne at Ochil Tower when she wrote this in German in 1987, giving Johannes Surkamp a copy. the care and nurturing of those who come Johannes found it again recently and translated it. Anne left together to form social relationships. Ochil Tower in 1993. When she was seventeen, in 1997, The focus of social threefolding has of- she took an overdose of her mother’s sleeping tablets and died. ten come to rest principally on the active nurturing of the threefold social organ- I am a small and daring being, ism. Special attention is paid towards I fly, run and see everything with my swift legs and eyes purposefully building the structure of the and with my rushing thoughts. Everything I want to know; community in line with the separate and distinct social spheres. Without a doubt, and because it is so, I know of worlds, deep worlds it is the goal of spiritual science to real- I know of worlds, good worlds, ize active participation in that which is and of daemonic worlds fundamental and archetypal. But actively I can tell you tales participating in the healthy formation of which often you don't understand the threefold social order is not merely a for my ideas switch type of architecture. The threefold social from one to the other order necessarily arises through coming before you understand. together as a community, with or without That's why you think me sometimes strange the active planning of its spheres. As im- and you try to catch me portant as it is that we actively nurture its and and force me into your limited world. formation, just as a mother actively cares Yet never, never will I remain there. for the formation of the child, it is also My answer to your small view remains ‘no’ important to consider seriously how our Still I am glad that you are with me, actions may hinder its proper formation. but always make a mess We must always be aware of how we Okay? passively participate in the nurturing or I am everything, everything in this world destruction of the social organism. Everything is my head, heart and soul In this sense of threefolding a movement If someone breaks a leg, it is my leg is made away from merely consider- if someone has a nightmare, it is mine ing the organization of the community if you have a worry, it's soon my own. towards understanding intimately how All of this fits into my small person each of our actions influences the health and in order to cope of the social organism. It is not enough I have to talk, talk, always talk to give rise to a healthy social order or else a thunderstorm is brewing within. through careful planning or blueprinting. And – to gather new energy, At all times consideration must be given I have to ask, ask and again: ask towards how our actions affect the health and formation of the social organism. In although you could spare your cheap answers doing so, we cultivate an awareness of because I don't believe one word you say. how our actions influence the formation Everything I have to explore myself. and development of the social organ- Believe me! ism. Again and again we must reflect You'll never tell me a truth on whether what we do and how we because you think I am too small, interact with those around us is related to yet I am tall! the economic, legal, or cultural sphere, whether you believe me, or not. and whether we are truly guided by the The whole world I hold in my hand principles of brotherhood, equality, and therefore: be afraid! freedom. And if the world does not turn as I will This is especially the case in Camphill I can bite and scratch, terribly. today, as communities enter into greater One thing I have to tell you: integration with external organizations Stop me from displaying my full might. and social orders. This is not something It is my empathy with you and all people. that should be resisted; there is no doubt Are they not all within me? that the progress of rests And all of them I want to be happy, exactly on the reaching out of commu- perhaps I never want anyone to suffer. nities such as Camphill to the external And if you are unhappy with me – world. But in doing so, greater attention I am sorry, so sorry. must be paid to the holistic nature of Excuse me, please threefolding. As welcome as those external may I be who I am? relationships should be and as important as they are to the development of Cam- 4 phill, their role in the further development of the social about which we can only be content to be conscious organism must be realized. of. Whatever documents can be drafted concerning the When we discuss as communities the threefold nature organization of our communities, it is by nurturing our of our social order, we cannot be content to focus only awareness and our sense of love in each other and the on that which we do to actively nurture the formation of world around us that we truly nurture the formation of distinct economic, legal, and cultural realms. We must the social organism. also pay heed to those things we do that damage it, and William worked as a farmer how we passively influence its activity. Further, attention in the Pennine Community. He is currently studying must be given to those external forces we may wel- for a Masters in Agricultural Economics come, those we must protect ourselves from, and those at Universität Hohenheim in Stuttgart.

Remembering Bill Peter Howe, Stourbridge, England

Peter writes: This is inspired by a young man I post and nailing you with a bright-eyed gaze that looks encountered at Templehill Community, Kincardineshire directly into you conveying despite everything and in in the 1990s but who stands for countless other such a way that speech couldn’t do an intelligence that sees great human beings everywhere. right through you as if saying I am a human being you are a human being we are more than we appear after ill is not much use at anything at all except the one which he nearly has your arm off again in another hand- Bthing being unable to speak or do his buttons and shake before turning decisively on disorderly legs he’s laces let alone any kind of work barely able to feed off leaving you standing there crumpled a bit flustered himself and then so exuberantly that his carers are con- realising that that essentially the one thing Bill does do stantly having to scrape things off him but what he does something that most able-bodied clever-minded people insist on doing is that as soon as he sees you he makes can’t even be bothered to do he acknowledges everyone. a beeline swaying inexorably towards you tenderly en- That is Bill’s sentence. folding your hand in an inescapable grasp pumping it up and down in a threshing-machine-gone-berserk kind Peter lived in Camphill communities 1971–1995 and of way then crushes you in a monster bear hug during is the previous editor of Camphill Correspondence. which he dribbles on your shoulder but you don’t mind He works at The Glasshouse Arts Centre. You can see half-smothered in all this big-heartedness before planting ada6-TL-autism.qxd:Layout 1 7/10/13 more09:21 ofPage his 1 writing at his king-sized hands on both your shoulders so heavily www.peterhowe.wordpress.com. that you feel driven deeper into the ground like a fence-

St. John’s and Utøya Inside an Simone Wantz, Vidaråsen, Norway Autistic riends from the north, Scotland and Kenya came to- Fgether at Sundvollen Hotel to celebrate St. John’s time in the third ‘Peer for Alle’ (literally ‘Peer for Everybody’) World Festival. The programme was full with a large variety of events and one of the first was the performance of Karl Spiritual König’s St John’s play by members of the Solborg Camphill Community on 24 June. experiences I did not take part in the whole festival week but came of people by bus with people from Vidaråsen to experience the play. On our drive to Sundvollen Hotel we could see the little with autism island Utøya, the place where on 22 July 2011 the terrible attack was made on a large group of young people, many of whom lost their lives or were seriously injured. Edited by I was deeply touched by the experience of first driving Wolfgang Weirauch past Utøya and then experiencing the St John’s Play at the hotel where the survivors were taken care of. Afterwards, sitting in the bus again, filled with the music, songs and £12.99 the words of the play, we drove past the island again, the ISBN 978 1 906999 51 3 little heart-formed piece of land, in the sea.

Simone is Swiss and lived for many years as a co-worker in Vidaråsen. Today she works there Available via all good bookshops, www.templelodge.com or by phoning 0845 370 0067 with and curative eurythmy. 5 Obituaries Karin Herms 14 May 1924 – 13 March 2013 Karin Herms and the In the late fifties or Camphill Biodynamic early sixties Karin Seminar moved to South Africa arin was born just two to help with the estab- Kmonths before Rudolf lishment of the fledgling Steiner gave the Agricul- Camphill communi- tural Course in Silesia. I ties there. Karin always remember a rumour that spoke so highly of Tilla as a young woman she König; they must have escaped through the Iron formed a very strong Curtain. If this rumour connection at this time. was correct then Karin It was around then that was close, not only in Karin turned her atten- time but also in space, to tion to biodynamics. the Agricultural Course. We know that Tilla had Karin was a person with an inspiring relation- an incredibly strong will. ship with nature and She told me that as a the world of the nature teenager she had a love kingdoms. Maybe it was of the classic Russian Tilla that inspired Karin writers but she was not into biodynamics? satisfied reading them in I remember Karin tell- German translation – so ing me once that she she taught herself Rus- experienced that the sian! Now through my land was so ill and she eyes that is evidence of a felt she had to nurse very strong will, but also it as she had nursed of a tremendous passion. the disabled children. Karin’s will and pas- Whatever it was that sionate nature shone in inspired her to take up whatever she did, and Karin in 2010 biodynamics she took this combination mani- it up, hook, line and fested as a real enthusiasm. A farmer in Botton once told sinker! But again one has to admire Karin’s strength me how he witnessed Karin stroking a cow with will of will; to take up biodynamics in the southern hemi- and passion, but the cow was not really enjoying all sphere at that time would have been very challenging, the attention! but typical of Karin she took it up with enthusiasm. Even Karin came to the Camphill Schools in in in those years without the availability of mentors and 1948, a young woman of twenty four years. She was teachers Karin developed an understanding of the in- already a nurse and had survived the physical, emotional ner aspects of biodynamics. This knowledge benefitted and spiritual destruction of the Second World War. I be- so many of us many years later during the time of the lieve the horrific destruction gave Karin an inner strength Camphill Biodynamic Seminar. One could tell by the and a spiritual vision which she held onto throughout way Karin told her stories that she loved South Africa, her life. Karin’s strength and vision immediately found its land, its people, and its culture. a niche in Camphill, and she centred her enthusiasm on At some point in the seventies Karin returned to the care, nursing and education of disabled children. Britain, and was instrumental in the founding of the It is hard for us today to imagine that time, with all Beannachar Camphill Community where young people its social ramifications, only three years after the end disabled and not so disabled could work the land pro- of the war. This was also the time of the early formative ductively and biodynamically, to provide good quality years of Camphill. We can only imagine what Karin food to the Camphill Schools over the river and the must have contributed to the establishment of Cam- wider community, and at the same time bring healing phill. I know that she had many conversations with Dr. to those youths working the land. König. I hope Karin would not mind if I refer to one of The Camphill Biodynamic Seminar started in the mid- those conversations: Dr König evidently had said that eighties. Initially it was the inspirational thinking of Alan there was only one man with a will strong enough to be Potter who had the vision to establish a nurturing but Karin’s husband, but that he was already married (mean- still educational course for experienced biodynamic ing himself)! Karin remained single all her life, but this practitioners based more on an esoteric level than a meant she could dedicate herself to nursing, to disabled practical level. The initial impulse was based on the children, to biodynamics, to the Camphill community Eightfold Path and the Sevenfold Image of Man working and to anthroposophy. in combination with each other, but over the years this 6 initial foundation was slowly of the four ethers by showing modified, developed and trans- us works of art by Vincent Van formed. Gogh, August Macke, Paul Alan invited a small group of Klee and Charles Filiger. biodynamic practitioners to join Karin often had tears in her him in bringing this ideal down eyes when discussing Rudolf to earth. In the initial group was Steiner, anthroposophy meant Michael Schmundt, Dorette so much to her. Occasionally Schwabe, Karin Herms, Alan she would get quite upset by Potter, John Brett and myself. By some of the flippancy of us this time Karin was gardening farmers, but John Brett would at Delrow. As a small group we come to her rescue – he would worked intensely together for a put his large arms around Ka- year bringing this inspirational rin, give her a little hug, Karin idea to fruition. would smile and all was well When we felt we were ready again. to launch the Camphill Bio- During these years of the dynamic Seminar, invitations seminar Karin moved to The were sent out, enrolments re- Grange and concentrated ceived, and we began. Alan on seed breeding. She also never joined us as one of the contributed much wisdom, facilitating guardians, but self- knowledge and experience to lessly handed his impulse to the this developing impulse. rest of the group. The seminar moved through- I will never forget that first out Britain, and we even weekend. It was in Oaklands ventured abroad to the Neth- Park and it was cold and damp erlands and Norway. We were outside. But inside there was often invited to specific cen- a wildfire burning out of con- tres; having a group of expe- trol amongst the farmers and rienced biodynamic farmers gardeners! We were discuss- and gardeners concentrating ing the difference between the on esoteric studies was seen substance earth, the element as potentially beneficial for a earth and the life ether. The Karin in the 1950s centre. Although each seminar conversation/argument became weekend had a retreat-like na- so heated that a very brave gardener from Scotland stood ture we also tried to engage with the services, cultural up, grabbed the burning candle from the centre, and de- events and the land workers of the respective centres as manded that only the person holding the candle should much as possible. speak and the rest of us would have to learn to listen. It It was during the biodynamic seminars that Karin worked very well, a fruitful and inspiring conversation took on one of the most important tasks for the future followed. The seminar had come down to earth! of biodynamics on earth. Karin had previously taken Karin’s knowledge and wisdom, her love of biody- up communications with Adalbert Count Keyerserlingk, namics and anthroposophy, her will, her care, and her Count Carl von Keyerserlingk’s son, as an elderly man. As enthusiasm was instrumental in holding us all together. a result of this relationship Karin used her will and her Each seminar lasted two years, made up of four long passion to get the two books, Developing Biodynamic weekends per year. The seminar continued for about Agriculture, Reflections on Early Research and The Birth twenty years. David Adams joined the Guardians after of a New Agriculture translated into English and made the first cycle, and I left after the fourth cycle but Karin available for sale. The Camphill Biodynamic Seminar steadfastly stood by this very important initiative from the was able to contribute financially to these translations very beginning to the very end. And it was not always so and publications. serious; there were times when we roared with laughter, One day another esoteric seminar for farmers and including Karin! gardeners will establish itself and I am sure Karin will Each seminar had a eurythmist who committed them- watch over that seminar as she so ably watched over selves to be a part of the eight weekend retreat. One ours; in the meantime her love and dedication to bio- very humorous memory was when Judy Hesse was our dynamics (and Camphill) will be appreciated by many eurythmist and Berndt Ehland of the Camphill Schools for years to come. was a participant (Berndt has also since crossed the Paul Martin, Queensland, Australia threshold). Each eurythmy session became a very funny occasion as Berndt never managed to follow Judy’s in- Paul and his wife Sally live in Mapleton in structions and inevitably there was a huge pile-up. No Queensland, Australia. He gives lectures to the matter how hard we tried to be serious we all eventually biodynamic students in Melbourne on the esoteric lost it and collapsed into p eals of laughter, even Karin aspects of agriculture. He is also the General Manager who took every aspect of anthroposophy so seriously! of Sunshine Coast Independent Living Service Inc., Another memory I have is of Karin’s wisdom. We were which teaches a full range of independent living skills discussing the ethers; Karin demonstrated the presence to adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. 7 Betty MacMurray 9 June 1924 – 28 June 2013

etty was a weaver, weaving in Gannicox, but her presence is Bthreads between the spiritual, all around us. artistic, religious, practical every- Here are some of her jewels day life and always including the which she shared with us: human dimension. From 1947 to • On colours: “There are only 2013 she gave her life to Camphill. three colours in the world: God the Her sayings and aphorisms were Father, the Son and The Holy Spirit. like jewels thrown into the river And if you are a weaver you know of life. how to make patterns. But by gum, Betty was born in Newcastle on modern man is mixing them all up; 9 June 1924. Her father was an and they don’t know Green.” eminent surgeon and he knew • “Heart is human love which we Dr. König. Her mother came from have to better the world. Green.” an aristocratic family with ances- • On creativity: “Creativity in art tors like Bettina Brentano who is the same as algebra for architects. was befriended with Goethe. Her You need algebra to find out how childhood was spent with her dolls big the rooms must be. So you need who were her main companions. creativity in art. Creativity is not She did not like school; she often like beauty. Beauty comes from the said “I wish I had more brains”. heart.” At twenty three years old she • On starting a warp: “You have to joined Camphill in Kirkton House; measure the flat thing. I’m learning she was helping to build commu- through the devil.” (meaning: she nity and being helped to find her made a mistake) place in life. She later moved to At a musical event at Gannicox earlier this year • On the devil: “Is he a corpse or Thornbury where she pushed the is he the boss?” wheelchairs with the ‘spastic children’; this was a hard • On the word ‘Why’: “The most difficult word in the task for such a small and lightly built person. She was dictionary is: Why? Why am I here on earth? They don’t washing thirty six nappies a day in the bath and helped know that Betty has come to the earth for the Spirit.” to feed the children. Later she moved to Glencraig, to • On life: “We are here today and gone tomorrow. Well, Botton Village, to The Croft Community and finally, for we have to be honest in our souls. You have to struggle the last seven years, to Gannicox Community. She was in life in order to appreciate what you have got.” a pioneer at heart, helping where it was needed, but • After death: “Let us be Christianly honest; they don’t excelling at her weaving. In later years, at The Croft know that when you come to heaven you have to work.” Community, she became a ‘resident’ when the dividing • On the importance of the baptism: “It’s not fa la la, how lines became more defined. do you do, halleluja, can’t be bothered!” At Gannicox she joined the older generation, learning • Mary and child: “She must have had a shock, when she to step back from running the place. Even so Betty had realised: a child for the world.” such a keen awareness of everybody’s task, of the proper • Marriage: “I have always been married to my left foot. way a Camphill community was meant to be – she was Just as well that my right foot did not get jealous.” a strong force behind the scene. She also had a wonder- • Community: “As we are a German set-up in Camphill, we ful sense of humour with a wicked twinkle in her eye. are not British. Can’t be helped.” “Let us be Christianly She would never get tired of keeping Robert Hobbs honest, you are driven when you live in community.” company as he sat in his wheelchair in Gannicox. Quite • On the Holy Spirit: “Do you know where the Holy Spirit often she would play her sounding bowl for him and comes from? What do you think? Well, it’s common sing along merrily. There was an unquenchable youth- sense: in a conversation between two people, when ful force in her soul which gave rise to a keen interest two people talk together.” in people, in artistic performances, cultural events, in Farewell Betty and keep inspiring us. outings, in exploring the world. It connected deeply to the essence of the Camphill impulse. We shall miss Betty Susanne Steffen, Gannicox Community, England

Elaine Ryan 20 December 1972 – 13 August 2013

laine Ryan died here in the Camphill Community She was a remarkable person, a real non-conformist ECallan, Co Kilkenny, Ireland. Native to Co Tipperary, who struggled to find her place in life. Despite being she came to live in Camphill as a young adult of twenty at heart a fun loving person she increasingly set herself three years, first in Carrick-on-Suir and then for the last apart preferring to spend large amounts of time in her nearly eleven years in Callan. room which she called her ‘burrow’ or her ‘nest’. Her 8 great sensitivity caused her to develop good humour, “Be gentle with me. safe ways to partake of the world, Don’t be rough. Just love me.” What watching people coming and going greater message than these parting from her window or listening to her words can one receive? favourite local radio station. These At her funeral, after she was low- radio presenters became like her real ered into her grave on a beautiful friends and indeed having visited sunny autumn day, a large flock of them at the local station they also birds swooped and swirled across became that in reality. the blue cloudless sky with wings When she did decide on her terms sparkling silver in the sunlight. Her to go out with one of her few chosen young niece was convinced she trusted companions, she was never saw them form the shape of a heart. dull company as her moods were as Up soared the lark into the air, changeable’ as the weather. Her lively A shaft of song, a wingéd prayer. sense of humour, her clever witty use As if a soul released from pain of words acted to protect her vulner- Were flying back to heaven again. ability. Longfellow In the late evening of the night when Dear Elaine, never fearful of death she later died a few of us watched and always talking about how one a meteor shower. The memory of a day she would join her father in her shooting star I saw then leaving a long real home, did so in a silent peace- trail across the sky stays with me as an About to fly to Gran Canaria ful manner. We are so grateful to image of her life – so bright in so many for her holidays in 2012 have shared life with her, to have ways, so very present; then in an instant gone. Acutely experienced the lessons she taught us, to have known a ill for little more than an hour before she died, she even tender but great soul. joked with myself and my husband Patrick, and said in Gladys Lydon, Callan, Ireland

Dorothy ‘Tot’ Avis 4 February 1930 – 22 August 2013

ot Avis was a very good friend called an activist, Tot was also an Tto Copake and to thousands of artist. Hunter’s shirts and jackets people with developmental disa- were works of art. bilities. She was a social worker in Over the years Tot must have more ways than one. She worked sent hundreds of postcards thank- in institutions and saw first-hand ing people in the village for the lives of many people with dis- what they’d done or celebrating abilities. Tot was part of the enor- milestones or victories with us. mous shift in this country to better These were picture postcards – care and education for people with Tot’s artwork as the picture. with special needs. She began the I think she sent me a card after Association for Retarded Citizens nearly every issue of The Village organisations in both Connecticut View and newsletter, cheer- and in New Jersey, when she lived ing me on (many ‘wow!’s and in each state. She was a worthy ‘awesome!’s in very imaginative and responsible advocate for this scripts). When she visited the vil- vulnerable population, and she lage, there was often a thank you turned her attention to Camphill card with a drawing of the event Village when her client Hunter she had attended. moved here in 1978. When Hunter arrived, Tot and Tot kept meticulous records – her husband Jack were ready to probably of all aspects of Hunter’s help. They covered houses sev- life. Hunter’s file is full of notes Tot in 2002 at her husband’s high school reunion eral times for vacationing house- from Tot. She researched Hunter’s parents. I remember Tot prepared various medical and other needs, and if she could a ‘vacation information’ page for houseparents to fill out provide something to help him along, she did. Hunter for those who cover during vacations, so the substitutes probably still owns beautiful photo albums of his life – would have all the necessary information. Tot was an especially the pre-village years. active director on our Board and was Secretary for many Hunter also came with beautifully embroidered shirts years. She volunteered for many jobs; she liked to take and jackets decorated with flowers, animals, and scenes. on projects, and she did a really good job with them. Not just any flower or scene either – those with special She kept up with the laws concerning people with dis- meaning for Hunter. Besides being what would now be abilities, their rights and opportunities. She worked hard 9 for the Camphill Association of for many mother, and Alan Fliesler, Vicki’s dad, on our Board. years. She was especially good at surveys and creating These three parents worked hard to help the village a broad picture of life in all our places. In Bluestone become a better place for all of us. we still have a big colorful binder she put together with Tot was a sparkling conversationalist with vast knowl- testimonials and information about the village. Tot loved edge and wit, but she was modest and always interested the village and thought everyone should know about us. in the details of our life. She carried many problems and Tot had the ability to state her point of view, even if it concerns of the village over the years with great integrity was critical of a situation, in a way people could hear and kindness. Tot was a lovely person, a great friend, and it and not take offense. A very great gift! She was good an advocate par excellence. friends and worked together with Molly Finn, Abby’s Marty Hunt, Copake Village, United States

Other friends who have died

Eddie Rae, born 21 November 1954, passed away peace- He will be sorely missed by his family and his children fully on September 1 in Brooklands Nursing Home, and all who knew him. Andy Sargent Kilkeel. Eddie moved to Brooklands in January this year as passed over the threshold 2 October at his health deteriorated. He spent a lifetime in Camphill 5 pm, four days before his eighty sixth birthday. James, Communities Northern Ireland. He first went to Glen- Joan, Naomi and Renate were present at the time. craig in 1954 aged nine, where he stayed for seventeen Christoph Jensen years until Mourne Grange began in 1971. Eddie was An obituary will follow in a future issue, contributions are welcome. one of the pioneering group who established Mourne Editor Grange Camphill Community from the beginning. He spent most of his time as a committed land worker. We have heard from Jan Robertson that her son Throughout his life he was a faithful and active attendee Malcolm, who was a pupil here at Camphill School of all community festival gatherings and services. Aberdeen for over ten years, passed away Monday 30 Andy Sargent September. Malcolm reached the age of thirty five and died peacefully of kidney failure in his mother’s arms at Gretlind Reinardy, mother of Michael, Rainer, Bertrand, his home in Oban. Malcolm came to Witiko at the age Tilmann and Lioba Reinardy, died peacefully in her sleep of ten – he was fragile in body, and at that time doctors on Saturday 31 August at 6:40 am in her room at Simeon had predicted that he would only live for two more years. Houses. She was in her ninety-ninth year. However Malcolm was strong in spirit and enjoyed a Rainer Reinardy full and engaging life while at Camphill and continued to do so at his home in Oban when he left us. Just a few Guy Sproat, who lived in Newton Dee since August weeks ago his mother sent us a picture of him shaking 1948 and became one of the pillars of our community, hands with Princess Ann! died after a short illness on Saturday 5 October 2013 at Malcolm was at the heart of life in Witiko. He was a 1:00 pm. Guy was born on 30 October 1931 and came gentle and joyful person and much loved by everyone to the Camphill Schools, Aberdeen as a pupil in August who met and cared for him; he brought peace to those 1945. He moved to Newton Dee House in 1948 and who were restless. in 1960 became one of the pioneer villagers to help We remember him and his family with great fondness. develop Newton Dee as an adult community in the Laurence and Vibeke Alfred Camphill Village Trust. Guy became an important part of our community and did Richard Raymond, resi- not hesitate to give advice/guidance/orders to anybody dent for thirty years at who he thought might benefit from his wisdom! After Delrow Community, died many years of active working life Guy’s health began aged sixty one at 9:57 pm to fail and he needed the care of a nursing home so he on Sunday 22 September moved to Kingsmead, Aberdeen three years ago. He 2013 after a long illness. maintained a strong contact to Newton Dee during this He managed to keep up time, continuing to work in the Store one day a week his many activities in and as a regular Saturday afternoon customer to Newton the community until two Dee Café, meeting his old friends. weeks ago when he was Alan Brown admitted to Watford Gen- eral Hospital. He carried We wish to share with you the sad news that Hans-Jorg Delrow strongly in his Bitter died a few days ago in Navan, Ireland where he heart. He took a great interest in others and he loved to was living for the last twelve years of his life. Hans- experience the changing seasons in Delrow’s beautiful Jorg, aged fifty nine, lived and worked as a Camphill grounds. He was a great support to community life espe- co-worker from 1983 until 1994 in Camphill Village cially through his connection to the land and to the local Hermanus and afterwards in Mourne Grange until 2001. church at Aldenham. Richard had a strong faith which He worked as a woodworker, house-coordinator, and showed itself in daily prayer and Bible reading. He was potter; and he also ran several workshops and carried also a prolific poet, well known for his poetry which admin tasks. he self-published and which appeared in the monthly 10 Delrow Digest. Richard was upright, independent, very In February this year Robert became ill and moved to idealistic and had a sharp sense of humour. He was faith- Simeon for a period of respite and nursing care. Two ful to many long-standing friends in Delrow, hosting for weeks ago today he was celebrating his birthday in them a weekly gentleman’s tea-drinking club. He loved Newton Dee Café with his old friends, and in good word play and he showed talent playing the piano. spirits, with old friends and even local customers sing- The last three years of his life he suffered increasingly ing for him. from impaired movement due to Parkinson’s disease. It Robert was very happy in Simeon but was admitted to became very difficult for him to walk at times and to use hospital last week when his health began to fail. Robert his hands. He bore this illness with great dignity. He also will be greatly missed by the community, and his contri- struggled greatly with his need to take medication and bution towards the building up of our community over in particular the side effects that he suffered. the last forty five years is greatly appreciated. Catherine Taylor Alan Brown

Rodric Kett-White, a former pupil at the Sheiling School Paul Haywood passed over the threshold 11 October Thornbury in the early eighties, died suddenly around at 9:10 pm surrounded by his wife Eileen and their two August 20 at the age of forty five. After different place- children. He had been ill with cancer for a long time ments in Camphill and elsewhere as a young adult he and the last couple of months had been very difficult lived for many years with his parents John and Elizabeth indeed. Paul had been the gardener in Glencraig for in their large house just outside Bath. He had not been ill about twenty years and before that had lived in Mourne at all, but was apparently very happy and had been sing- ing and chatting while making tea for the three of them. He sat down to drink it and then just quietly slumped forward and was dead. There is a possibility it may have had something to do with his medication, but of course was a complete shock to his parents. They have always held the strongest and warmest memories of his time in The quiet man Thornbury, which was one of the best and happiest times of his troubled life. He has an older brother Rupert who is a medical consultant, married with four children, and a younger sister Sophia who is a nurse. It was as though Peter Bateson he was dragging a branch, Sabine Rittweger crossed the threshold in the early morning hours of 18 September in Camphill Village shushing away any trace Sellen. Born on 25 May 1948 in Berlin, she spent the last years of her life in Sellen. She came to the Lehenhof as of his weight upon the earth. a young lady where she lived and worked as a member of that community until she moved to Sellen. Or taking to the stream Sabine was a caring woman whose heart beat for the weaker members of the community, be it other compan- to stem the flow ions or co-worker children. She left this world just as she had lived – quietly and gently – completely unexpected of scent. I imagine for all of us. him rigid with tension Leonie Frenkert-Ghazi at the crack of a twig, Robert Taylor, a villager who lived for many years see him moving slowly, in Newton Dee, died Saturday 12 October careful not to bend a leaf, 2013, at 4 am. Robert was born on 28 Septem- cautious not to leave a mark. ber 1942 in Newcastle, the youngest of three Not that it mattered much, brothers, and came to Newton Dee in March the rest being too busy 1967. Robert worked on New- trying to leave theirs ton Dee Farm for most of his working life, changing to gardening in 2003, main- to notice much at all. taining his love of the land work. He was one of the few able to be responsible for the milking of the dairy cows and carried this responsibility reliably for many years, Jon Plunkett introducing many other villagers and co-workers to this Corbenic, Scotland work. He was held in high respect by all of those who worked with him. News from the Movement…and beyond

Calling all young people! Let’s get to work... Marcin Miereczko, Le Béal, France

have been inspired by the founders of our small rural For a few years now, I have been participating in the Icommunity, Le Béal, for the last four wonderful years. yearly open Regional Community Meetings in Her- This inspiration has worked on many levels: inter- mannsberg at the Lake Constance. Our region is called personal relationships – that simple yet difficult taking the Central European Region and it includes Holland, care of one another; interest in everything that’s hap- France, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, pening around us, from the local village to Rwanda, the Austria and Hungary. The fact that this meeting is not crickets who rub their wings in the heat to yet another attended by members of every Camphill community full moon. I would like to describe another sort of interest has been widely discussed and accepted. Sometimes it that the elders have imparted to me: the interconnected- is simply a meeting of members from Germany, France ness of it all. Here I would like to focus on the now dwin- and Switzerland. What caught my attention during this dling interconnectedness of the Camphill movement. year’s meeting is yet another statistic: there seems to be fewer and fewer young co-workers, and by younger I mean below forty. Isn’t that a reality for all the other six regions? I almost have the impression that if we don’t intervene very quickly, there will be no Camphill movement to talk about. One aspect is for each community to carry its own work with whatever pleasures and obstacles there might be. Another would be to share our ex- periences with each other. As goes an African proverb: ‘alone you go faster, together you go farther’. I know that the founders of Le Béal have always deeply appreciated the human contact with everyone interested, but they have been especially inspired to keep in touch with the whole movement. We seem to have a far better connection to our local village or to the international movement l’Arche of Jean Vanier than to any other community living out of anthroposophical ideals. How is it in other communities all over the world? Does the impulse to work together still exist? If the answer is yes, who is carry- ing it – the young? The older members? Perhaps they do it together? What is next? Some thirty years ago many younger people met in Beaver Run for an in- ternational youth conference. I heard that the work done was inspiring and the opportunity to meet was greatly ap- preciated. Some special relationships were forged for life at that gathering. Even though some of those then-young people no longer live in one of the places of the movement, the friend- ships have survived the test of time. I do not have illusions about certain It would be so sweet to love realities; lots of hard work needs to Georges Rouault be done in the regions before such an 12 international meeting could be organised again, if it is During our last open Regional Community Meeting even wanted. in Hermannsberg, I shared my willingness to organise The young need to find their autonomous identity – a meeting for the younger generation. With the organis- thanks to but also in spite of the identity carried by the ing group of this meeting we have agreed that probably older members. The question of identity needs to be the very first time the youth meeting should be a part of explored, as I believe that young people need to find the already existing regional meeting – for the obvious their own purpose. We cannot live someone else’s dream practical reasons. The meeting dates are 17–18 January of community life. We come to communities for differ- 2014. We agreed that several time spaces will be freed ent reasons than those experienced since the beginning where younger co-workers could meet. We are not yet of Camphill. Each generation has different reasons for clear about the form, but we are sure that it is going to living in the community, different tasks and challenges, happen. During our time together, I would like us to but also pleasures ahead. start at the beginning – to talk about what has inspired Older generations must inspire the young; not only us to come to the community and what inspires us in have they as their task to impart their wisdom, but our daily life. Certainly, the idea would be to meet again; also understand that the needs and motivations of the the time and place would still need to be defined. Let’s younger community members are different from those not waste this coming opportunity to create something experienced thirty or even ten years ago. A great part of together. Wherever I spoke about this impulse, I was this work is coming to terms with the fact that with each whole-heartedly encouraged by all generations. generation, the community will be incarnating different So we know that everyone wishes for this kind of work ideals, priorities and also work dynamics. This is bound to take place – let’s get to work. to create tensions. But if we want the meetings to be If you would like to share your thoughts concerning this attended by young members, the older generation is impulse, please contact me at [email protected]. obliged to awaken interest in young people.

Meeting together Marcin, his wife Birte and their three children I know that there are efforts for younger people to meet have been in Le Béal for four years. In this land- together in the Scottish and the American region. What based community he is currently developing a herb kind of work including younger members is being done workshop. Before that, they used to live and study in in the other regions? the Camphill Schools in Aberdeen.

Camphill essentials Valerie Sands, Cherry Orchards, England

Chapter One n the week before Easter 2011, Thornbury Community Ihosted an assembly on the theme ‘Camphill Essentials’. This was an uplifting event for everyone who attended and particularly marked by the presence of younger voices expressing the value Camphill held for them. Chapter Two Three distinctly youthful spirits (albeit housed in aging bodies): Johannes Moora, Michael Luxford and Valerie Sands met to try to offer a response to this voice of youth and the request for substance. A modest plan was drafted and circulated, of five simple weekend retreats for co- workers in the English and Welsh region who had lived and worked in a community for two years or more and wanted to deepen their relationship to these essentials. The response was an almost complete silence which caused us to re-examine our reading of the signs. After some soul searching of the kind found in many com- munities at the moment where we had to confront our doubts we nevertheless tried again... Chapter Three Five retreats did in fact take place and in June, eight retreat participants had generated spiritual enthusiasm and material capital to feel more deeply committed to Camphill and more independently confident to live it, and to celebrate our journey’s end with a meal out and Seek refuge in your heart, poor wanderer a theatre visit. Georges Ruaoult 13 Chapter Four In October we read the runes again to look for a way for- The participants listed below are convinced these retreats ward. If you would like to be part of Chapter Five please are valuable and would be happy to be approached by contact me, or anyone from the list above. Camphill anyone with questions. essentials are not only ideals and values, but elements Fran Pioli, Cherry Orchards of life that must be willed to be fully effective. Hellena Barnett, The Mount Kathryn von Stein, Botton Nik Marten, Delrow Veronika von Sturm, Glencraig Valerie has been active Johannes Moore, Delrow for many years within community. She is currently Michael Luxford, Delrow blessed to be able to be active in Cherry Orchards.

Invitation to the Camphill Archive Foundation Meeting

here has been an archive at the Camphill For the official beginning of the activities of the Camphill Archive, TSchool Aberdeen since the beginning of you are invited to a small inaugural conference at Camphill. It was initially in something like a shelf in a cupboard, and then it took up all The Chapel, Camphill Estate, Camphill School Aberdeen, on 9 the space in the cupboard. After Karl König’s November, 3 pm to 6.30 pm death his study in Camphill House became the archive, which hosted beside all of his writings Programme: also everything belonging to the history of the • The historical importance of 9 November Camphill Community. • Where are we now with the Karl König Archive, Karl König Institute However, after the Karl König Archive was and the Camphill Archive? What has happened so far? founded as an organisation with the task of • What further steps are necessary? publishing and republishing Karl König’s en- tire work, a lot of material has come ‘home’, The trustees of the Karl König Archive and Cherry How, Richard Keys so to speak, and the available space proved and John Byrde will work together on behalf of the Camphill Archive soon to be too small. for a week prior to our meeting and are looking forward to seeing you. The work with Karl König’s literary estate pointed to the fact that there would need to be Please RSVP to Christoph Hanni [email protected] also a Camphill Archive, a space that would or phone 01224 860381. host material that documents the history of the The invitation is also be on our website: worldwide Camphill community and the liter- http://www.karl-koenig-archive.net/events.htm ary estate of all those many co-workers in Cam- phill through the years that produced literature, We are looking forward to a productive afternoon with you! research and art that needs to be looked after Let us all work together on founding a Camphill Archive! and shared with generations to come. A suitable space has been found on Camphill We are aware that this invitation is published here at a very late point in Estate and is in the process of being adapted for time. Apologies if you read this here first and would have liked to join but are the task of the new Camphill Archive. unable because of this.

Book review managing the estate group these past several years. And The Corbenic active years they have been. Although situated on fifty Poems acres of land, much of the area has been largely untrodden Jon Plunkett apart from use as pasture, or barely entered forest. Jon’s Vine Arts inspiration has been to penetrate this physical landscape Publications, 2013, with new pathways that better allow for the richness and £5.00 diversity of Cornbenic’s holdings to be appreciated. Review by Glenn An inner landscape in the realm of the poetic muse Walters, Corbenic, has been equally active as evidenced by the twenty four Scotland poems that comprise this book. The realm of nature (hu- man, flora, and fauna), actual, metaphor and simile, is on Plunkett’s latest interwoven poetically. Jon’s gift is, with his poet’s eye, to Jvolume of poetry The see things anew and through his marvellously descrip- Corbenic Poems has tive talents he helps the reader to a new perspective, been ‘inspired by or informed by the images that have distilled in him. based upon’ Corbenic, To highlight but a few of the poems from this volume: where Jon has been ‘From Earth to Earth’, the opening poem, is redolent of 14 heather burned to ash, where ‘drains and ditches vein Letter the land’ as in a living being. ‘King of Kings’ is a paean to the majestic stately sequoia that graces our grounds Dear Editor, close to Drumour Lodge. ‘Rhododendron ponticum’ ore searching and questions. I have just read the describes the interloper, the much maligned invasive Mletter by Sharon Ballah in Camphill Correspond- rhododendron, and yet they too provide verdant green ence September/October 2013. I have lived in Grange in the winterSelf months Catering and flowers Holiday in House: spring, Theto bring White the HouseOaklands Killin for thirty seven years, and over the years I bees. ‘Drumour Lodge’, an imaginative look-in to the have seen many changes. At the moment we have got building beingSet used within for the accommodating beautiful shooting par- support workers and team leaders who are taking care ties before its presentLoch Lomond incarnation and as three of our present of the many residents (I happen to be a resident). households. AnTrossachs article National in an America Park, Sports magazine Unfortunately a resident here in my house became ill of some sixtyThe years Whi tepast House descriptive is in an of the Lodge’s for- and died, and because of Bottonthat the houseVillage co-ordinators mer guests partlyideal locationinspired to this explore poem. ‘Field Grass’ has were asked to leave. Now we have support workers and Camphill House Co-ordinator a haiku-like simplicitythe natural to beauty its imagery of and is most evoca- team leaders, and they are very supportive. needed tive. The poemHighland ‘The Enigmas Perthshire, of Existence’ speak to the What Sharon said in her letter is quite true. Some experience ofScotlan Goetheand. Situated observation, in a intentionally or people cannot acceptEnthusiastic change committed and people therefore needed, haveeither to otherwise. ‘Aftersecluded Hurricane setting Bawbeg’ near is a description of go through a longsingle process or families, of discussionto help take Bottonto help Village them forward into its next stage of development. the devastatingthe storm shores of of 2011 Loch thatTay, thisbrought area offers down outstanding some op-portunitiesunderstand. I’ve noticed that when we have long term sixty trees on our estate.for touring, For manywalking, days cycling, thereafter bird watching scores and canoeing.co-workers, they don’tAn interest always in Camphill understand is essential, what experience Camphill is helpful, as well as a willingness to live and of people wielding all mannerComprises of saws 5 bedrooms and axes with beavered accommodation is all about. I used to help with the Reception Group away with the clearing up. here and I had towork write with polite others. letters In the realmto say of theeither home no it or for up to 12 persons sharing. is apparent that life in Camphill is more than a Jon has also inaugurated a new tradition of ‘poetry yes and how did job.you It iswant a way to of stayliving together.and so on. slams’ that have contact taken [email protected] place in the evenings foraround a brochure a and availabilityI feel I am grateful to Camphill and so are all my family, blazing log fire on a bluff of land in front of the estate I don’t think I couldBotton cope Village, with an outside intentional work community anymore. Farmers sought for Botton Village within the Camphill Movement, is home to 253 building, overlooking Strath Braan. Another well-known Thank you to Camphill and all the wonderful support We are looking for farmers to take on the responsibility for 2 of our people about 106 of whom are adults with local poet, Kenneth Steven, has also read his works on workers. learning disabilities. two such previousbiodynamic occasions. farms in Botton Village. Currently *a Falcon ‘Poet’s Farm Path’ is ais typical being traditional established hill farmand ofex 24- hectares comprising People work on the land, including farms, gar- of steep rough fields and low pastures. Currently the livestockYours includes gratefully, dens and forestry, in workshops and in our tended throughouta beef suckler Corbenic’s herd with grounds 8 adult with animals, permission a small flock of sheep, geese households.Sue Donat, We try Grange to combine Village, modern England social having beenand granted 3 breeding by asows. neighbouring All feed is estatehome grownto send and a approx ½ hectare is care with traditional Camphill values and the new path alongdedicated the toBraan field River, vegetable allowing growing. us a chance to practical aspects of Anthroposophy. enjoy an extendedYou will meander.work in a team Some with of Jon’s3-4 residents poems andhave 1-2 co-workers. Training is offered up to QCF level 3 and now been incised* Botton in Farm stone consists by himself of 40 andhectares Martin with Reilly, a current a livestock of 20 dairy beyond. cows and some beef animals, up to 8 pigs in summer and a flock of 20 gifted mason and artisan who also helps carry the estate email: [email protected] group. The stones will then be sited along the paths. Phone Jane Balls: (0) 1287 661281 I teased Jon recently about being a representative of www.camphill.org.uk the ‘Strath Braan School of metaphysical poets’…but I was only half jesting. The Corbenic Poems are available from The Corbenic Camphill Shop, Bridge Street Dunkeld. pointandcircle Telephone +44(0)1350 727330. The magazine for pointandcircle anthroposophical curative Glenn has been at Corbenic for some fifteen years, Magazine for Curative Education and Social Therapy education and social therapy variously as houseparent and workshop leader, and presently he is involved with building renovations and throughout the world. infrastructure. He has a keen interest and involvement We would be glad to send you in the cultural spiritual life of the community. a subscription (£18.00 for four issues a year including postage) or an individual copy (£4.50 + postage) so you can see for Self Catering Holiday House: The White House Killin Deepam Festival of Light yourself why this magazine has been so well received. Set within the beautiful Easter 2013 Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Point&Circle Winter 2013-06.indd 1 Thank you for08/03/2013 16:41:25your support and interest – The White House is in an it helps to keep the anthroposophical world ideal location to explore the natural beauty of of curative education and social therapy Highland Perthshire, informed, focussed, engaged, and listening! Scotland. Situated in a secluded setting near the shores of Loch Tay, this area offers outstanding opportunities Please contact: Bianca Hugel (Subscriptions) at for touring, walking, cycling, bird watching and canoeing. [email protected] Comprises 5 bedrooms with accommodation for up to 12 persons sharing. or at: contact [email protected] for a brochure and availability 7 Wheeler Street, Stourbridge, West Mids, UK, DY8 1XL

15 Corbenic Camphill Community Corbenic Camphill Community is set in 50 acres of coun- tryside in beautiful Strathbraan, in Perthshire, Scotland, four miles from the town of Dunkeld, and twenty miles from the city of Perth. It was established in June 1978. The community at present consists of some 80 people, Anthroposophic Health and Social Care including adults with learning disabilities, volunteers and employees. There are five households each of which is home to four to six residents, two house co-ordinators and five co-workers. We offer a variety of therapeutic Late Applications invited workshops; bakery, craft, pottery, woodwork, biodynamic You may still apply to enter the Training on the second Module, which gardening, candle-making, estate work, an organic farm runs from 16th – 19th January 2014 at St. Lukes’ Medical Centre, Stroud. and a shop/café in Dunkeld. In the spring of 2014 we will be opening a new house for 10 of our residents including 4 semi-independent flats. Professional & Personal Development Training This house will accommodate older residents in addi- in tion to space for those wishing to live more independently. This means that we have 10 places for new residents in the existing 5 households. MENTAL HEALTH We are inviting applications for the post of House Co- ordinators and Support Workers. At this exciting time we are looking for inspired and enthusiastic people who are Psychological Crises, Therapeutic Response and competent and willing to take on responsibility. We also Self Development expect applicants to participate and be interested in the development of the whole community. We have a number of positions open to either employed Twelve four-day Modules spanning three years or ‘permanent co-worker status’ applicants. We can pro- vide accommodation, or you may wish to live outside CPD Training to enhance therapeutic, social and personal competency the community. You must have completed the relevant for care professionals, managers and administrators training, or have experience and are willing to undertake working in the field of Health and Social Care. the necessary training. We expect you to have an interest in anthroposophy and Corbenic is committed to working with the ‘Ways October 2013 to Summer 2016 to Quality’ approach. Applications to be made to: Karen Kamp, Administrator Closing Date for Applications: 1 December 2013 For more information and application forms, Wester Lochloy Farmhouse, please contact Lochloy Rd, Nairn, Scotland. IV12 5LE Catherine Hood or Betty Stolk, on (0044) 01350 723206 or email: Tel: 01667 459343 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Our website provides more information and gives a Founded and supported by the Camphill Movement flavour of life at Corbenic. www.corbeniccamphill.co.uk

Bridges-to-Oasis – A Group Facilitation Training Fostering spirit in the life of the soul through small group work 7 long weekends from 11 April 2014 to 19 January 2015

Applications be found in the Foundation Enrolling now for the third therapeutic counselling, from counsel- Stone Meditation, given by round of this highly successful trainer, group facilitator and lors, coaches, Rudolf Steiner. They under- training in small group work. counsellor— therapists or hu- pin the Oasis Model through The course begins in April 2014 [email protected] man service providers and which we are able to explore and runs until January 2015 Tel: 078 100 487 39 mature students with related in depth our own biographical and consists of 7 modules over Supporting Faculty: Dr James or relevant life experience are inner and outer journey and 7 weekends. The cost of the Dyson, MA., Medical doctor, invited. the healing and learning that Training is £1,695. It will be anthroposophic physician In this training you will comes through this. held at the new Elysia Thera- and psychosynthesis learn about the Three Path- Creativity—nurturing the peutic Centre in Stourbridge. psychologist. Anne Tandree, ways of the Oasis Model and individual through metaphor, This is a non-residential centre Anthroposophic therapeutic how to facilitate your own art and colour, creative writ- with plenty of B&B’s nearby art practitioner, trainer and Oasis group or use the tools ing and story telling—helps to to choose from. A list will be former Steiner/Waldorf and skills we offer in your renew our connection to spirit available when you apply. teacher. existing work. This course of- in nature and with one another. fers continuing professional Guided by Rudolf Steiner’s For further information and Member of the Elysia development (CPD) and has psycho-spiritual understand- dates please contact Melanie Consortium for Social and previously been endorsed by ing of human development or Lindsey—details below: Therapeutic Renewal BACP and is affiliated to Cross- (founder of Steiner/Waldorf fields Institute. education) and integrative Course Administrator and Three pathways inform our contemporary psychology, the Mentor: Lindsey Garner— human experience of life; the course invites trainees to ex- email: [email protected] hero’s (outer) journey, the plore how authentic listening Tel: 01432 261317 soul’s (inner) journey and the and sharing can both deepen www.bridges2oasis.org initiate’s (spiritual) journey. conscious relationship and fos- Course Director: Melanie These dynamic archetypes can ter mindfulness and positivity. Taylor, MSc Integrative

16 Botton Village

High Spirit Community Farm is looking for a pioneering community builder/head Camphill House Co-ordinator needed High householderSpirit Community Farm is looking for a pioneering community builder/head householder Enthusiastic committed people needed, either High Spirit Community Farm is a growing initiative, founded in 2007 and modeled on single or families, to help take Botton Village High SpiritCamphill, Community located in Farmthe Berkshire is a growing Hills of initiative, western Massachusetts, founded in 2007 USA. and Following modeled a on forward into its next stage of development. Camphill,transition located phase in Highthe Berkshire Spirit’s committed Hills of and western passionate Massachusetts, board of directors USA. is Following looking for a An interest in Camphill is essential, experience transitionthe internal phase community High Spirit’s leadership committed to build and our passionate young community board towardsof directors a is looking foris helpful, as well as a willingness to live and work with others. In the realm of the home it the internaltransformative community vision leadership for life sharing to buildin the ourbeautiful young state community of Massachusetts. towards a is apparent that life in Camphill is more than a transformative We wish to vision work withfor lifeand sharing energetically in the support beautiful pioneers state who: of Massachusetts. job. It is a way of living together. We wish to Relishwork withthe prospect and energetically of combining support the daily pioneers realities and who: responsibilities of small Botton Village, an intentional community • within the Camphill Movement, is home to 253 • Relishhome the basedprospect life sharing of combining (normally the three daily residents) realities with and an responsibilities invitation and support of small people about 106 of whom are adults with hometo basedtake leadership life sharing for the (normally growth of three this community residents) over with the an next invitation five years. and supportlearning disabilities. to takeHave leadership a deep passion for the for growth what life of sharing this community community over can meanthe next and fivewho years.may People work on the land, including farms, gar- • dens and forestry, in workshops and in our • Havehave a deep encountered passion frustration for what lifeat hand sharing of the community deeply embedded can mean regulatory and who may households. We try to combine modern social haveframework encountered in the frustration UK and Western at hand Europe. of the ( deeply embedded regulatory care with traditional Camphill values and the We too have administrative practical aspects of Anthroposophy. framework in the UK and Western Europe. (We too have administrative responsibilities to uphold for licensing bodies but these are comparatively Training is offered up to QCF level 3 and responsibilitiesunobtrusive relative to uphold to UK for and licensing continental bodies regimes but.) these are comparatively beyond. unobtrusive• Believe that relative the Camphill to UK model and cancontinental continue to regimes flourish given.) the right email: [email protected] • Believesupporting that the conditions. Camphill model can continue to flourish given the right Phone Jane Balls: (0) 1287 661281 www.camphill.org.uk Oursupporting town, Great conditions. Barrington, was voted top small town in the USA for 2012 and is located Our town,less than Great 3 hours Barrington, from both was Boston voted and top New small York town City. inWe the are USA near forthe 2012New York and is located less thanCamphill 3 hours Communities from both of Triform,Boston Copake,and New Hudson York City. and Ghent. We are The near community the New York CVT DELROW COMMUNITY Camphillbuilder/head Communities householder of Triform, lives in Copake, an extended Hudson family and setting Ghent. that includesThe community young adults assists those with mental health prob- builder/headwith intellectual householder disabilities lives and in volunteeran extended interns. family setting that includes young adults lems, learning disabilities and other with intellectual disabilities and volunteer interns. special needs to rediscover their self- Benefits include: confidence and find new directions Benefits• include:A deeply committed board ready to devote its time, its care and its ability to in life. It supports adults of all ages • A deeplygenerate committed financial boardresources ready to support to devote your its pioneering time, its leadershipcare and its ability to in building new lives through educa- generate• A salaried financial compensation resources structure, to support medical your insurance pioneering and leadershipretirement benefits tion, home life and work. In addition • A salariedafter two compensation years of employment structure, medical insurance and retirement benefits to residential opportunities, it also after two years of employment provides day placements for people • House with swimming pool and established garden, with part of house for your living in the Watford area. • Houseexclusive with swimming use pool and established garden, with part of house for your exclusive• Eight weeksuse of paid vacation per year We are looking for house co-ordi- • Eight• Life weeks in Great of paid Barrington vacation and pera community year of other life-sharing houses near by nators to work with the Camphill • Life• inAdministrative Great Barrington assistance and a community of other life-sharing houses near by impulse and the practical aspects of Administrative assistance Anthroposophy in the modern world • This opportunity is open to individuals or couples eager to share their lives with those of social care. We welcome enquir- This opportunitywho are disabled. is open Prior to experience individuals and or excellent couples references eager to sharerequired. their See lives our websitewith those at ies from single people, couples or who arewww.highsprit.org disabled. Prior. experience and excellent references required. See our website atfamilies interested in joining the com- www.highsprit.orgPlease contact. Bob Swain at 617-699-2231 or by email at [email protected] munity as enthusiastic, responsible Please contact Bob Swain at 617-699-2231 or by email at [email protected] idealistic co-workers. Applicants Camphill Duffcarrig must have NVQ level 3 or equivalent We are a group of 65 people wanting to create community through our direct in Health and Social Care, or be pre- relationships. Some of us have intellectual disabilities and high support needs pared to achieve this within their first in daily life, and we all look forward to meeting you and to learning daily new year of engagement. ways of relating. We draw on Anthroposophy as our continuing inspiration and want to further the work of Rudolf Steiner and Karl König in a relevant way For an application pack please for today, while giving good working role models and maintaining regulatory standards. Our beautiful contact: estate lies close to the sea on the North Wexford coast in Ireland. We provide land related, home- making and craft activities and wish to engage more deeply therapeutically with our newly established Matthew Shallow anthroposophic medical practice. [email protected] In going forward we are looking for fellow co-workers of all ages who wish to join us in a ‘training for or write to: life’. We hope to say Céad Míle Fáilte to you! (a hundred thousand welcomes). HR, Camphill Village Trust Contact us at Delrow Community, Camphill Community Duffcarrig: Delrow House www.camphill.ie/duffcarrig Hilfield Lane, Aldenham Tel: +353 53 9425911 Watford or email us at [email protected] WD25 8DJ

17 Nailing things to snow

Hear the voice of the swallow as it fickles by, or in the slide

of light easing on the flutes of this tattered land.

Catch the flow of burns or brooks, and drink them into the flux of you.

Draw the comedy from the peewit’s song about the essence of something vital.

Or hang the grasp of some idea on the points of an antlered head.

Turn to the feathered whisper of an owl, delicate as the cusp of understanding.

Hold it all like a riddle in a chuckle of water,

which flows to the depths and ripples to the ends of the earth.

Jon Plunkett, Corbenic, Scotland

The Dove Logo of the Camphill movement is a symbol of the pure, spiritual principle which underlies the physical human form. Uniting soon after conception with the hereditary body, it lives on unimpaired in each human individual. It is the aim of the Camphill movement to stand for this ’Image of the Human Being’ as expounded in Rudolf Steiner’s work, so that contemporary knowledge of the human being may be enflamed by the power of love. Camphill Correspondence tries to facilitate this work through free exchange within and beyond the Camphill movement. Therefore, the Staff of Mercury, the sign of communication which binds the parts of the organism into the whole, is combined with the Dove in the logo of Camphill Correspondence.

Editors: Maria Mountain (Editor and Adverts) 37 Highfield Road, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 2DH, UK Email: [email protected] Deborah Ravetz, 11 Upper Close, Forest Row, RH18 5DS, UK Subscriptions: Bianca Hugel, 7 Wheeler Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1XL, UK Email: [email protected] Advertisements: Suggested contribution of £25–£45 per small announcement/advert. Visa/Mastercard details or cheques can be sent to Bianca (address above), made out to Camphill Correspondence. Subscriptions: £22.80 per annum for six issues, or £3.80 for copies or single issues. Please make your cheque payable to Camphill Correspondence and send with your address to Bianca Hugel (address above), or you can pay by Visa or MasterCard, stating the exact name as printed on the card, the card number, and expiry date. Back Copies: are available from Bianca Hugel and from Camphill Bookshop, Aberdeen Deadlines: Camphill Correspondence appears bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September and November. Deadlines for ARTICLES are: Jan 30th, Mar 30th, May 30th, July 30th, Sept 30th and Nov 25th. ADVERTISEMENTS and SHORT ITEMS can come up to seven days later than this.

Camphill Correspondence Ltd, registered in England 6460482 Lay-up by Christoph Hänni, Produced by www.roomfordesign.co.uk