October 2024 NEWSLETTER

You likely have heard the classic adage from the film, Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come (link).”

You may not be familiar with the lesser know corollary, "If they are coming, build it." At Windermere, we do a little bit of both.

We cleaned and organized the barn and then (out of the blue) we were given a flock of seven laying hens, who now live in one of the bays (If you build it, they will come).

We clean and prepare the guests houses after each guest leaves and before the next guest arrives (If they are coming, build it).

We had a group of teens coming up to the ranch to volunteer as part of Teen Insight's Leadership Training, we hustled to complete a new second story deck at the bunkhouse. (If they are coming, build it).

Then, Mark, Paul, and Vincent came up to visit the ranch and we had the perfect outdoor place for our meeting (If you build it, they will come).

Then, later, we used the deck for a sumptuous potluck hosted by Carrie Tanner during her stay as a guest and volunteer (Again, if you build it, they will come).

The bunkhouse deck, a space completed for the teens, now serves a purpose as a gathering place for the community at Windermere.

This whole, if you build it, they will come conversation fits with one of Windermere's core principles, sustainability. Often, a new project is driven by an immediate need–in the case of the Bunkhouse deck, we had a group of teens planning to camp out in the screened in porch under the deck–and we look at how can we fulfill this need in a way that will continue to serve the ranch for decades to come.

So, we build with the future in mind and look to how the problems that we solve, can be solved in such a way that they stay solved and that the solution can serve the greater purpose of the ranch.

A little more on the Bunkhouse deck (please refer to the above picture of the view prior to reading):

It’s dawn and the ranch is above the clouds. You look out to Santa Cruz Island from the Bunkhouse windows and then walk out onto the second floor deck to take it all in, immersing yourself in one of the best views that Windermere has to offer.

When I was in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corp–a service organization dedicated to improving lives, strengthening communities, and fostering civic engagement through service and volunteering–some federal holidays, commonly seen as days off, were instead called Days On or Days of Service. So, when Labor Day came around, I knew it would be a DAY ON.

Until now, the Windermere Volunteer Service Parties have spanned multiple days, involving fairly demanding physical labor and often leaving us with the sense that there was still much more to do. For this day, it was important to me that we ended with a sense of completion. We chose to work a half-day supporting Richard Chan, who had been cleaning two of our outbuildings, the Quonset and Rock Shop.

A small group of people staying at the ranch, along with one of our favorite recurring visiting volunteers, Martha Ringer, gathered on the hill to call in the Light. This was followed by a sharing circle, where, in honor of Labor Day, we reflected on the Bible verse: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Since the intention for the day was clearing out, volunteers were invited to share anything within themselves they wished to release to God.

The photos capture more than words can express about the amount of things released and work accomplished in those few hours of service.

Personally, I began the day with the intention to release some challenges I was facing in trying to understand a situation in my life that had been difficult for me to process. By the end of the work party, I realized that the powerful act of service took me beyond myself and my limited thinking about what I thought had gone wrong in that situation and allowed me to focus instead on what was needed in the moment and how I could contribute.

Through service, I stepped outside of my own thinking. I was also able to appreciate the significant contributions of others—both in their ways of being and in their physical acts—filling me with deep gratitude for the Windermere community. Thank you so much to the volunteers who chose to use their day off in service to Windermere.

So September starts with service and that continues to be the focus. As we have shared in previous newsletters, there is no shortage of projects to work on at the Ranch. I once had a conversation with the Eternal Ted Drake where I shared I sometimes walk into the barn and I am motivated to do the work that needs to be done in there and other times I feel totally overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

What helps? For me, it's doing the work in community and celebrating our accomplishments together.

On Tuesday, September 17, we gathered as a community for Pie and Cow Pie, an event where we enjoyed both sweet and savory pies before heading out to collect cow manure for the compost.

As you may know, cows have four stomachs, so they digest their food thoroughly, making their manure excellent for compost. Even the cows up here are doing their part in service.

The cows aren't the only animals serving the community. We now have a barn cat, Lumis, who helps keep mice and rats at bay. We’ve also added worms to the healthy soil center for vermicomposting.

With new cats, worms, chickens, and the ranch houses filled with guests for most of the month, it has been a full house up here–lots of fun being together, not just for service, but for potlucks and spontaneous encounters in the garden.

If you are called to be of Service at the Ranch, please note the invitation to our October Volunteer Service Party happening THIS WEEKEND at the bottom of this newsletter!

The September Ministers Meeting at Windermere Ranch was yet another joyous occasion for all who attended. We gathered together in the Buddha Rock House for the Ministers Meeting, in-person and online, followed by a potluck style lunch outside on the deck.

We are so blessed to have such dedicated stewards of the land taking care of our beautiful spiritual sanctuary and it brings great comfort and joy knowing we are welcomed with Loving hearts when we visit.

A great experience was had by all as we shared our Loving and our gratitude for each other in the home of the Travelers, where Peace emanates everywhere.

We encourage you to visit and experience Peace in abundance while enjoying the beauty and serenity of our much Loved healing haven, Windermere Ranch.

~ Karen Avalon, on behalf of the Santa Barbara Ministerial Board