Christmas Eve at Sharda

This Christmas Eve was a bit sombre as in the midst of light-hearted activities, Trish received word of her mother's passing. The evening started with a shared dinner and then we were entertained by Jessica and Shareen who sang for us. We then sat round the wood-block altar (a Sharda tradition) and lit candles while reading angel cards. Fe entertained us with a carol and Aliah & Alim sang another. Then it was Secret Santa prezzies followed by group carol singing.

When the news came, we got together and said the prayer for the dead. We remembered Ngaire in the short service. Basira then drove Trish on a 4 hour journey back home. The few of us that remained went to the Tyburn Monastery later for midnight mass following Halima's tradition.

Obituary - Ngaire Roberts

Ngaire was a long-time member of the Sharda community and knew Halima well. She was the mother of Trish Brady. She passed over on 23 Dec. 2008 and her funeral will be on Wed. 31 Dec at 2 pm at Willets, King Street, Whakatane. Her memorial service will be held at Sharda at a later date.

Calendar for January/February 2009
4 Jan Universal Worship at 11 am followed by shared lunch and Dances of Universal Peace.
12 Jan Mon Full Moon Meditation for Peace at 7 pm. Contact Carmela Lina at 09-237-8189
17 - 18 Jan Shamanism Weekend with Jan Natusch. Contact Jan@grafton.co.nz
24 - 27 Jan. Healing Summer Camp. Contact Val at 027-479-0068 0r 09-236-9083
31 Jan. Sat. Sweat Lodge with Rahaman. 09-238-3513 or davidrahaman@yahoo.co.uk

8 Feb. Universal Worship at 11 am followed by shared lunch and Dances of Universal Peace.
10 Feb Tues Full Moon Meditation for Peace at 7 pm. Contact Carmela Lina at 09-237-8189
14 - 15 Feb. Shamanism Weekend with Jan Natusch. Contact Jan@grafton.co.nz
21 - 22 Feb. Nonviolent Communication Trainers Weekend. p.toms@orcon.net.nz
28 Feb. Sat. Sweat Lodge with Rahaman. 09-238-3513 or davidrahaman@yahoo.co.uk

Shared Lunch to celebrate the Summer Solstice.
Sunday 21 December at 12.30 pm. Bring a plate and just turn up for a relaxed get together.

Sharda Christmas Eve Party for all. 24 Dec. 7 pm. Shared Dinner. Bring a plate. Followed by games and spiritual fun stuff. Children are welcome. Accommodation available so you can stay over and enjoy a relaxed Christmas Day.

Sweat Lodge to celebrate Summer Solstice
Sat 20 December 2008

Rahaman is doing another sweat lodge at Sharda. Koha is asked. Accommodation is available for those wanting to stay over at $20 per person per night. Please contact Rahaman at 09-238-3513 for further details. Email: davidrahaman@yahoo.net.uk

• 5 pm Arrival. Fire lighting
• 7 pm Enter Sweat Lodge
• Bring food to share after sweat
  

Calendar for November and December 2008

2 Nov Universal Worship at 11 am followed by shared lunch and Dances of Universal Peace.
8-9 Nov Beginners' Course in Shiatsu. Contact Val at 027-479-0068 0r 09-236-9083
13 Nov Thur Full Moon Meditation for Peace. Contact Carmela Lina at 09-237-8189
15-16 Nov Grandmothers' Weekend with Annie Bottcher. Contact Annie 027-660-0094
19-23 Nov. Psychosynthesis Practioners' Workshop
29 Nov to 5 Dec Nasqabandiyyah Retreat with Sheikh Hamid Hasan. Contact Andy 021-0250-7177

6-7 Dec Shamanism Workshop. Contact Genevieve 09-434-3542 email gen@celticshaman.org.nz
7 Dec. 11 am Universal Worship in Halima's Cottage followed by shared lunch.
12 Dec. Fri 7 pm Full Moon Meditation for Peace. Contact Carmela Lina at 09-237-8189
13-14 Dec. Shiatsu College Final Term 4 day Course
20 Dec. Summer Solstice Sweat Lodge. Contact Rahaman davidrahaman@yahoo.net.uk or 09-238-3513
21 Dec. Shared Lunch to celebrate Summer Solstice. Bring a plate. Just turn up.
24 Dec. Sharda Christmas Eve Party for all. 7 pm Shared Dinner. Followed by games and spiritual fun stuff. Accommodation available.
25 Dec. Open Day. Enjoy the grounds and the peace at Sharda.
31 Dec. New Years Eve. 6 pm Ritual

Halima's Urs

On Friday night, we sat in a circle after dinner and shared memories of Halima. There were readings, songs and stories about her we have never heard before. It was a very enjoyable night.

Saturday morning started with Universal Worship conducted by Jamila and 8 other cherags after which the trustees and elders walked down in light rain to the temple site. There Val welcomed us to the Temple site. Then Annie Bottcher spoke on the vision of the Temple of Peace. The sky cleared by then as had happened in the last 2 years. We read the prayer to the Universel . This was followed by Maria leading dances in a circle. She then led us in song, singing "My house shall be a house of prayer for all people" while we held hands walking in a line towards Halima's Memorial. There Ben spoke about Halima and her vision for Sharda,


Then everyone participated in a simple but touching ceremony of placing flowers on the memorial.








After lunch, Jessica and Shareen entertained us with some singing.














We watched a video that Julia made at her Art school and we carried on to watch videos of Halima,



We started with The Vision and then The Hidden Jewel of New Zealand.



A most amazing thing happened during the part of The Hidden Jewel where towards the end of the video, Halima was interviewed while seated in front of the altar. At that moment, sunlight came through and a spot on the wall was lit by a very vivid moving light exactly behing the spot she was seated. It moved and played on the wall the whole time the interview was on the screen. A few of us recovered enough to grab our cameras and take photos of the phenomenon. The photos do not show the intensity of the light or the movement but here is one:





You can see Halima on the screen and the light on the wall.



After dinner, there was time for levity. There was a lot of talking and mingling. It ended with a few dances of universal peace and a bit of impromptu singing (and clowning) by Aliah, Alim and Maimuna. They were joined by Bhajan on the guitar and Asunta, Rachman and Shafia singing spiritual songs.

We were joined the next day by Helen, Rakiah and Mahmud who came to help do some clean-up.