Our first annual Lantern Walk is this Friday, November 11, 2011, at 6:30 PM. We hope you make time to join us for this meaningful event. While our Fall and Spring festivals are open to the greater community, this and other events are intended for school families (extended family OK). We will gather, share a story, and light the lanterns the children have been working on. We will go for a walk as a school community as the children and teachers lead the community in a few special songs. At the end of the walk, we will return to school, enjoy a special snack, extinguish our lanterns, and go home.
Background
In Summer, the days are long, and we are “out” visiting and playing with few cares for the entire season. In contrast, in Autumn we gather “in” both physically and spiritually. Colder weather and shorter days bring us indoors. We draw those we love close to us as we celebrate the holidays of the season. We give thanks, sharing and celebrating the Earth’s bounty at Thanksgiving. We show gratitude and love in December as we give Christmas and Hannukah gifts, and comtemplate our deepest wishes for our lives as the New Year fast approaches.
In similar fashion, throughout Europe St. Martin’s Day is observed in early November. Though versions vary, the story that we have shared with the school children describes St. Martin as a brave and kind soldier. One bitterly cold night, as he rode on horseback, St. Martin passed a beggar in tattered clothing who surely would not stay warm through the night. St. Martin drew his sword and cut his own warm cloak in two, retaining once piece for himself and passing the portion of the cloak to the beggar. This act of generosity is considered a significant example of spreading warmth and the light of home into the world. Thus, our shining lanterns.
You may consider how your family can spread warmth this season, either literal warmth via donations of clothes, pajamas, and blankets to those in need, or you may consider exuding the spirit of the season to those you encounter.
Resources
Volunteer Opportunity
Do you have some spare time this Wednesday, November 9? We could use some help from 9-10/10:30am helping children construct paper mache’ lanterns. Contact us at the school email address if you can help! Younger siblings or children who attend school on alternate days are welcome to accompany their volunteering parents. goodearthschool@gmail.com
