Beacon Bits -- Stitch-by-Stitch

It's getting close to that time of the year when knitters all over the world gather in public to knit together and create community in towns, cities, villages all across the globe. Within Dutchess county, there are two officially registered World-Wide-Knit-in-Public (WWKIP) day events: the fourth annual event at the Walkway Over the Hudson and the second annual event, Knit Us As One, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on South Avenue in Beacon.The Knit Us As One event will take place on Second Saturday, June 10th, from 2-6pm, rain or shine, in the carriage house. 

Please join us to knit (or crochet) cotton dishcloths that will be given away at the Food Pantry at the church, which was featured in the Beacon Free Press last winter. Instructions and patterns, some limited samples of free yarn, conviviality and chit chat will be available for all those who join, both crafters or those who like to watch those who create stitch-by-stitch.

Food for Thought: During last year's event, our poster display on the sandwich board at the corner of Main Street and South Avenue was removed and found to be missing at the end of the day. This was the only poster that had disappeared from the sandwich board that we have placed on the corner over the last two years. On the poster advertising the event, we had noted that we were the first annual WWKIP day event in Beacon. We wonder if our message offended some of the local knitters who certainly have 'knit in public' and hope that there was not a misunderstanding, which led to the poster being removed. WWKIP is a trademark event that requires a fee to register, which Knit Us As One has contributed to, last year and this year. It is a movement worth supporting with a modest fee for those who manage the website and market the event worldwide. 

Beacon Bits -- Open Studios, Open Hearts

After the weekend flurry of all the sugar-craving, cupcake fans visiting our town, the perfect antidote is to get back to the roots of creativity and 'open studios' with the artists who made Beacon the hot-spot that it has become! Other than intimate encounters with an artist in her or his own studio, chance meetings with neighbors who are out and about, stopping for lunch or supper with a friend at one of the many go-to places from one end of Main Street to the other, may I suggest another kind of encounter, one that just may open your heart.

The Labyrinth

Walking Meditation in the Sanctuary

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

17 South Avenue, Beacon NY

Second Saturday, May 13th

4-8 pm

Ambient Soundscapes will be created by Craig Chin (www.errantspace.com) from 5-8pm

A 36-foot canvas labyrinth will be placed in the sanctuary for “pilgrims” to explore a walking meditation. The labyrinth is a sacred circle with a single path that leads to its center. Walking the path is an ancient Christian spiritual tool that has been rediscovered in our time. The labyrinth is a metaphor for the spiritual journey and lends itself to prayer and meditation during a personal encounter. Guided meditation suggestions will be available as you enter the sanctuary. It is customary that individuals take their shoes off before entering the labyrinth. Opportunities to walk the labyrinth will begin during daylight, transition through the vesper light and sunset leads into dark. The beauty of the sanctuary, the ambient sounds, changes in the light and colors of the Tiffany stained glass windows will enhance one’s journey.

Food for Thought:

O Lord of the Labyrinth Way,

Guide me into the best possible future that you hold for me.

Lead me into bright and lovely days ahead.

Take care of me through all the twists and turns, ups and downs, and down and outs.

Light the way so that I can stay on the right path.

Help me to cast aside my cares and woes and lay my burdens down.

Make my journey light as I take one step at a time.

Closer to the center, closer to you, closer to all my beautiful tomorrows.

Let me rest in your peace and give me courage to go on.

Help me to be thankful and grateful and full of gladness for all your gifts along the way.    

Amen.