I am pleased to announce today that I am passing the batton to Terri Stewart. The Bardo Group blog is in transition, but it will continue to post all work as usual and to host the scheduled special events. Terri has been a stalwart supporter and active contributor to and coordinator of and with this blog for several years now. She’s young, energetic, enthusiastic and smart and has the wherewithal to move forward to facilitate greater inclusion and encourage real social change.
Recently Terri was awarded a grant for the community blog, Beguine Again, which she founded. The two blogs will merge, creating a larger and more diverse venue. Your ideas and input to this process are welcome and Terri will tell you more about that and more about what promise our future as a community might hold.
I am pleased that Terri has agreed to take charge since I find I am no longer able to give the blog and the community the attention and nurturing they deserve and need to continue to evolve and grow. I’ve appreciated your support, encouragement and contributions over the years and I’m confident you will offer the same to Terri.
I’ll remain as a member of the core team. The blog will move forward with Victoria’s Writers’ Fourth Wednesday as usual and with plans for Wilderness Week at the end of this month and 100,000 Poets, Musicians and Artists for Change event scheduled to begin on September 27.
In the spirit of peace, love and community,
.
Hi all! I am delighted that Jamie asked me to envision a joining of our two communities. I don’t know what this will look like in its entirety, but I am excited about the prospect of joining the ethos that each community brings. I know The Bardo Group to be a place that focuses on the arts as a path to greater communication and peace. Beguine Again is a community that focuses on spiritual practices upholding the core value of nonviolence through the observance of mindfulness, prayer, joy, thoughtfulness, gratitude, sabbath, and inspiration.
I have received a grant to take BeguineAgain.com to the next level by incorporating more thoughtful and personal practices. That will be incorporated throughout the next year by offering a series of classes and personal/private discussion groups that will be available through a subscription model. However, the basic structure of BeguineAgain.com will still be one of free & open blog posts that encourage the core practices that so many of us hold dear.
I am so grateful for the work that Jamie and the incredible team she assembled has done to bring The Bardo Group to the point of being a thriving, creative community. I was delighted when she asked me to be the Sunday Chaplain. It was a great opportunity to focus on creating sacred space in our midst. Sacred space – a place that offers healing and holding – is a goal in all that I do. And I am hopeful that you will all gather around as we co-create a new future together!
I look forward to incorporating the traditions of The Bardo Group with the traditions that have started at BeguineAgain.com. I believe there is a lot of synergy between the two communities and that we can grow and learn together.
Please contact me with any thoughts, concerns, or questions you may have!
Shalom,
.
.
.
TERRI STEWART has served for several years as The Bardo Group Sunday chaplain, senior content editor, and site co-administrator. She comes from an eclectic background and considers herself to be grounded in contemplation and justice. Terri is the founder of the online spiritual community for nonviolence, Beguine Again. She is the Director and Founder of the Youth Chaplaincy Coalition that serves youth affected by the justice system. As a graduate of Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry, she earned her Master’s of Divinity and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Spiritual Direction with honors and is a rare United Methodist student in the Jesuit Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu. She is a contributing author to the Abingdon Worship Annual. (The 2014 issue just released!)
Terri’s online presence is “Cloaked Monk.” This speaks to her grounding in contemplative arts and the need to live it out in the world. The cloak is the disguise of normalcy as she advocates for justice and peace. You can find her at http://www.cloakedmonk.com, http://www.twitter.com/cloakedmonk, and http://www.facebook.com/cloakedmonk. To Terri for conversation, send a note to terris@beguineagain.com.
The BeZine 
Jamie, it was always a pleasure to work with you – you brought me into this group and even if my contribution here so far was modest, I truly appreciate all that you’ve done for this page! And I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this :). I am also sure that Terri will do a beautiful job, and that this new step in the Bardo’s evolution will only improve its aspect, from all the points of view. I am proud to be a part of this community and I will always be :). Blesses to everyone!
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Yes! I do believe this is an important step and Terri will bring her special gifts – not inconsiderable – to the table. As for your “modest” contribution … Your work is profound and profoundly beautiful and that is no small thing. I think we all appreciate it, perhpas more than you think.
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Jamie, I love you! You are a wonderful person. You have chosen well. Terri I anticipate the next step here with you to be a positive and exciting change. Welcome to the new position. Hugs to you both!
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Hugs! … and prayers, Liz. … Love ~
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Hear, hear! I just wanted to add my voice to the others and say: Jamie, you are a beacon, inspiration and a personal heroine of mine and the wise woman knows when to say “when”. Terri, I think you are the obvious choice as our fearless leader and I look forward to seeing where the group goes from here. 🙂 If there is anything I can do for either of you – or any of the group here – just Inbox me and I’ll do my best. Here’s to wonderful things in the future! *Cheers*!
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“Cheers” and thank you for your cheery spirit and your wonderful colorful blog post. You are much appreciatated, Corina, for you ideas and your courage in speaking out. Warmest regards, J.
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Jamie, you have always been an inspiration to me and so many others, I know. Thank you for offering me the opportunity to be a part of this team. I know the spirit of The Bardo Group will continue to thrive under Terri’s leadership. Change is not always easy, but it does bring new perspective and the opportunity to grow.
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I have so much faith in Terri and you and the rest of the team to keep this going while I take a more minor role in things. Thank you for your kind words and your wonderful Wednesday, enjoyed by all and soon to have an even wider audience I hope. It is deserved.
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It was always a pleasure to work with you my dear Jamie..so much light in you, generosity and modesty..you are an example to me and to all these beautiful souls who are connected to you in this space of creativity and fruitful exchange..am looking forward to work with ou Terri..salam to all xx
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Terri is very dear, as you are Imen. I hope to remain as poetry editor, so I look for more from you. Your poetry is a mercy and beautifully executed. Thanks for all. xo
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As you pass that baton over to Terri, I want to let you know how much you have touched me with your presence, Jamie. You have a steady and determined will that has been a beacon of light to me…and I know to so many others also. You’ve created a wonderful thing here with your inner wisdom and charisma that has lifted my spirit and given me strength. Thank you, dear friend.
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Thank you for saying so, Gayle, and thank you for being a light in a world that is too often dark. xo
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Jamie, I feel a sort of sadness, in a strange way, even tough you are not going away; but really I guess, it’s a kind of sadness that comes from feeling that we are losing your unique creative contribution, style and unselfish support for all those who have a voice here. Above all, you invested your soul in The Bardo and I feel very confident that Terri is absolutely the right person – and qualified – to carry on the spirit of the Bardo in its new evocation.
From the minor position that I have hold in this wonderful blog, I’d like to say three cheers for Jamie and a big thank you for adding a new and important dimension to my on line life as well as – above all else – making me feel valued; making us all feel valued! Jamie, you have a wonderful personality and I salute you.
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Thank you for your faith and your kind words, John. You have been very important to me in this effort and I hope you always know you are valued. I hope to not only continue as a Core Team member but also as Poetry Editor with Terri’s agreement. We are batting around ways to make things better than ever and I think Terri has so much enthusiasm for what she does, I know this can’t fail.
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Very sad you are having to face this decision, Jamie. Your work and vision are unique. All the best to Terri.
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If would have been a harder decision if it weren’t for Terri. Take care, Niamh, and thanks for all you share.
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I am just arriving back from a retreat. This is such a tender moment for all of us. Jamie has been a strong, encouraging presence. I can’t wait to see what we all co-create together as we move forward!
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