We were going to have a camp out just after the conference, and some of you might have wondered what happened to that. Well, we ran out of time. Just couldn’t pull it together. So I thought I would organize something a little different than the original “action camp” idea. Something a little more mystical.

The concept of unio mystica, or the mystical union, is common to many cultures and religions. Unfortunatly it is all to often trivialized as childish and of no “value”. We devalue the mysticism, common among children, as irrelevant to our civilized life. Let us be uncivilized mystics.

What: Join Saskatoon folks in a prayer of lament and vision, what the Souix call Hanblecheyapi or to “cry for a vision”. We will be bringing some lentils and couscous left over from the conference, plenty for everyone. Feel free to bring some vegetables to throw in. Please bring anything else you would usually take camping.

Why: Violence is amongst us, it is in us and poisions our relationships. Every day we participate in systems, be they social, economic or sometimes even spiritual that continue to keep our hearts and minds, maybe even more pertinently our hands and feet from the kingdom of heaven.

We will go up to the mountains and pray lament and repentance over the destruction of our brothers and sisters among the living things there. We will gather in an island of life once labled Solo by the Forest Service, in a sea of clear cut logging I years ago helped occupy to keep from falling to the idol of progress. Just this year they tried to log it again, this time to build a pipeline across the cascades. But once again the well laid plans of empires failed. There is always hope! So…

We will also pray for an audience with God for guidance and reconciliation. Guidance to walking the Red Road, understanding how we can effect the world for justice and peace and spread Agape, the Love of Creator for Creation. We will also pray for a reconnection with our brothers and sisters amongst the plants and animals and to the earth. Of every lilly of the field and bird we will pray that we can live so lightly on the earth in harmony with all our neighbors.

Who: Anyone who wishes to join us. Though most of the attendies will be of the Christian tradition, anyone can come and it will be a safe space people of any spiritual tradition.

When: Friday September 17^th – Sunday September 19^th

Where: Contact me for more information. I will be giving directions when you email or call.
Email: bison@saskatooncollective.org

Finally, I will end this post with one last thougth about mysticism from John of the Cross.
…he is willing that all shall embrace it. But he finds few who permit him to work such sublime things for them.”

As you may have guessed by the title we all went out to Oneonta Gorge this Sat.  We had great time! If you’ve never been you should check it out. Particularly if you are from Cascadia and want someplace to get away from tourists. Its VERY close to Multnomah Falls and for some reason (maybe the chest high water!) they don’t stop at Oneonta. Here is a link to Hiking Guide description and some of our photos.

• Trailsnw.com – Oneonta Gorge

This week is was just the usual supects, Brandon, Shelley, Nev, Heidi, Dir’k and  Heidi and myself. Oh, and the babies! Hopefully there will be other folks joining us in the future. Speaking of in the future.

From now on we are going to be meeting at the Red & Black Cafe at 10 A.M. With what all has gone down at the Red & Black we feel the need to be conscience of where our resources go.

It actually works out well, if we end up just hanging out around the cafe, there is a park across the street for kids to play in and the atmosphere has a way more contemplative vibe too it. The Bipartisan on the other hand is very loud and hectic.

I read this article a little while ago and had a few more thoughts about the Red & Black situation. Here’s is the editorial I read and the response I posted to the Boycott the Red & Black facebook page:

‘Abduction’ case against teen reaches new low with evil smear campaign

Mike Thomas – Orlando Sentinel

It is frightening to watch the power of the state unleashed to destroy a 14-year-old boy.

He is Edwin McFarlane, the bumbling teen whose attempt to help a 3-year-old girl find her mother June 10 at a Burlington Coat Factory has him facing a first-degree felony charge of false imprisonment.

The case never has made sense. And confronted with the possibility they made a mistake in a high-profile arrest, Orange County sheriff’s detectives and now state prosecutors have waged a campaign to save face by distorting evidence and smearing the kid. <–Read More–>

This isn’t a single cop, its an entire justice system in the wrong. If the Red & Black was in Orlando, would it be OK to not want to be around someone who works for this system?

The Red & Black kicked out the authority of the badge and the gun. If Mr., not Officer, James Crooker came to the cafe he would be welcome.

I know its hard to believe, but the Red & Black has had people steal the tip jar and start fights in the Cafe. Its been around for 8+ years. In all those cases I can recall, the police weren’t called. We as the community of people that are part of the cafe in one way or another step up and provide better security and made up the losses in those cases. We hope that the person that stole what they did uses it to get some food for there families. If they stole it because they have demons to satisfy, then come back and we will help you find a way out. To punish someone because they are hungry or ill serves no one.

That is Anarchism. Its also what I imagine it is to be like Jesus.