For the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area clean up, it is wonderful to welcome Ellen, and Laura, who are part of the Saskatoon Singing Circle, an affiliate of the Sacred Web Singers. They are taking the time to connect and bring together singers for an absolutely delightful singing circle to join the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Clean Up on Saturday, July 9, 2016.
The Sacred Web Singers [SWS] are networks of Canadian singing circles in North America. The SWS mission is:
We are a circle of compassionate women,
renewing our spirits through singing beautiful and meaningful songs
about the earth, justice, and peace.
We are transformed through song and ritual, good company, good food, good fun
—then we share ourselves and our songs in our communities.
We connect with the larger web of women inspired by
Carolyn McDade, Norma Luccock, and others of song and action.~SourceFor instance, the singers will introduce two songs to start us out for the clean up;
Drift Like A Breath adapted from the poetry by William Stafford. Words to the song are a part of Carolyn McDade’s New Music Widening Embrace, Music arising from the energies of the Earth.
The words to the Trees Chant by Lori Fithian and Eric Fithianis online at the Panbolla – Pambula Wetlands and Heritage Project Inc. ” Today the words of a song come to me as I sift through the soil at the foot of trees that are meant to support life for the animal species that we hope will return: O Standing Nation We sing to you We breathe with you We standby you.”
The song written by Carolyn McDade, O Beautiful Gaia [meaning earth], O Gaia calling us home has had two verses added by Saskatoon Women;
O Beautiful Gaia, O Gaia calling us home
O Beautiful Gaia, calling us on. [twice]
Poplar bending in wind storm, O Gaia Calling us Home
Trees reflected in water, Calling us on.
Smell of Pine Trees Consume me, O Gaia Calling Us Home
Leaves Rustling Beside Me, Calling us on.
Seeking new birds and flowers, O Gaia Calling us Home
Neighbour to Chappell Marshland, Calling us on.
As those who gather disperse to clean the forest, the singers will choose to join or continue singing Carolyn McDade and friends type songs
As those who gather disperse to clean the forest, the singers will choose to join or continue singing Carolyn McDade and friends type songs
“Carolyn’s recorded music dates back to the early 1970’s. Over the years she has organized 13 recording projects that grew out of her singing circles. Each project involved activist women and a growing body of gifted and accomplished professional musicians. Thousands of women have touched into these circles and projects. The depth of their living – profound and ordinary – stirs and sustains this music.” Caroyln McDade biography
In Prince Edward Island, the singing circle is named Gaia singers after the Earth, relates Laura who participated in the Nature City Festival Tour at Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area.
“I often wonder what it would be like if we dared to love this life — the fragile and the vulnerable, the endangered, daring to be humble before the magnitude of our beginnings, daring to learn our species into a stubborn and pliant wonder, until reverence shines in all that we do — until we live an economics of reverence — until it permeates education, development and health care, homes and relationship, arts and agriculture — a reverence for life, for planetary, social and personal wholeness. This is our purpose now. May we do it well, with thoroughness and love.” ~ from Through the Moons of Autumn by Carolyn McDade
Inspirational tree songs bring the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area volunteers courage and resolution, to cheer them, to fire them with new confidence when they grow dispirited, to strengthen their faith that THINGS CAN BE DONE.
“We are members of a vast cosmic orchestra in which each living instrument is essential to the complementary and harmonious playing of the whole.”~J. Allen Boone.
Additional Links
The Ancient Love – Carolyn McDade & Friends You Tube.
Carolyn McDade biography
Carolyn McDade Music Inspiration, Sustenance, Celebration, Celebrating the Long Road of Music.
Carolyn McDade Singing Circl CCS 120th Annivesary You Tube
Carolyn McDade’s Spirit of Life.
Coming Home LIke Rivers to the Sea. book written by Carolyn McDade. A Women’s Ritual
EcoSpirituality Resources. “Born of a Star” from We are the Lane We Sing Carolyn McDade lyrics and video
Serpent Song: Carolyn McDade Singers You Tube.
Spirit of LIfe by Carolyn McDade sung online
The view from Kevin’s corner: Carolyn McDade’s “Spirit of Life”
We of Earth – Carol You Tube
“Gladness begins with the first person, with you. But it may spread far, like the ripples when you toss a stone in the water.
Sing a song, sing a song,
Ring the glad-bells all along;
Smile at him who frowns at you,
He will smile and then they’re two.
Laugh a bit, laugh a bit,
Folks will soon be catching it,
Can’t resist a happy face;
World will be a merry place.
Laugh a Bit and Sing a Song,
Where they are there’s nothing wrong;
Joy will dance the whole world through,
But it must begin with you.
~Joseph Morris.”
For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park
For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
For more information:
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)? with map
Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date!
| Payment Options |
| Membership : $20.00 CAD – yearly Membership with donation : $20.00 CAD -monthly Membership with donation : $50.00 CAD Membership with donation : $100.00 CAD |
1./ Learn.
2./ Experience
3./ Do Something: ***
What was Richard St. Barbe Baker’s mission, that he imparted to the Watu Wa Miti, the very first forest scouts or forest guides? To protect the native forest, plant ten native trees each year, and take care of trees everywhere.
“We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“St. Barbe’s unique capacity to pass on his enthusiasm to others. . . Many foresters all over the world found their vocations as a result of hearing ‘The Man of the Trees’ speak. I certainly did, but his impact has been much wider than that. Through his global lecture tours, St. Barbe has made millions of people aware of the importance of trees and forests to our planet.” Allan Grainger
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 
An inspiring post. Lovely song and words! A wonderful project… indeed trees and nature are to be appreciated as they are God’s beautiful creation. Thank you for sharing. I do appreciate your visit to my blog and the follow. Best wishes.
LikeLiked by 1 person