You are invited to

The 27th Annual Winter Solstice Celebrations

Celebrating the Darkness and the Light
with Songs and Stories

The Celebration usually lasts one hour and fifteen minutes

A time of quiet reflection in the midst of the hectic festive season
Songs, stories, candle-lighting, silent meditation, singing, and more 
All ages welcome

Programme

If you'd like to view the programme in advance, please click here.

2023 Participating Communities

Sunday, December 17, 11 am EST

• abbreviated version as part of regular Sunday  service

Thursday, December 21, 7:00-8:30 pm EST

• full version

First Unitarian Church of Louisville, KY, USA

More information here: https://firstulou.org/events/a-winter-solstice-singing-ritual/ 

Saturday, December 23
18:45 for 19:00 Universal Time

• Hosted by Sue & Staśa on-line

• email stasa dot website at gmail dot com if you'd like an invitation

Other communities to be announced

Find out about future song-learning sessions and Celebrations

If you aren't already on our mailing list and would like to receive updates about future Song-Learning Sessions and Celebrations, please fill out the form here: https://bit.ly/WinterSolsticeSignUp.

The elephant in the room: some problematic bits in A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual   

Since we first published A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual in 2002, I have learned that there are  more than two genders; that First Nations people do not consider John G. Neihardt, a white man who profited from adapting Oglala Lakota stories and selling them to white (settler) people, to be a reliable chronicler of their peoples; that Marianne Williamson has some deeply problematic views about HIV/AIDS, illness, and disability; and that Inuit peoples exist and have flourishing arts communities, as do other Indigenous and First Nations peoples.  

A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual is currently out of print, both Julie and I (Staṡa) still have some copies available to sell.  I am hoping to re-publish AWSSR; when I do, I am looking to improve the narration's binary language around gender and That-Which-Is-Sacred; to replace the reading by Neihardt and the “traditional Inuit poem” with works by contemporary First Nations and Inuit artists, who will receive royalties; and to pay royalties for both music and readings to communities of color in addition to individuals.  

Julie and I are currently in discussion about next steps, and I hope to have an update before the end of 2024.