La Casa de Maria has a long history of being an interfaith refuge and renewal center for justice work, a space for training, and an opportunity for inspiration through community to persevere in compassionate action.
CLUE SB shares the deep gratitude of our community for this unique resource and fully supports this event.
Interfaith Benefit for
La Casa De Maria
The spirit that connects and loves us all is always
present when we open ourselves to its healing.
Special Half-Day Retreat
Sunday, February 25th
2:30 – 6:00 PM in the Main Chapel at
Trinity Episcopal Church
1500 State St, Santa Barbara
We are dedicating our monthly Half-Day Retreat to our friends at La Casa De Maria and it’s Center for Spiritual Renewal.
On January 9th La Casa de Maria sustained damage as a result of the severe mud and debris flow following the Thomas Fire. While some of the property is untouched, several buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed. Many of us are missing our spiritual and psychological refuge, not to speak of the wonderful, generous land.
In support of La Casa de Maria, we have planned an afternoon with music, poetry, meditation, Taize Chanting and inspirational talks. Together we will feel our sadness, fear of an uncertain future, but also celebrate life together. As a place La Casa de Maria is more than the physical land, that is wounded right now. The spirit that connects and loves us all is always present when we open ourselves to its healing.
The afternoon will be moderated by Radhule Weininger and Michael Kearney. There will be speakers such as Steve Jacobsen, Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaeffer, Imam Niazi, Pravrajika Vrajaprana, and Rabbi Steve Cohen.
Noah Owens will play guitar, Taize Chanting by the Beatitudes with Cantor Chris Fahrenbach, Suzanne Dunn, Jeannette Love, Suzanne Malloy, Piano, Lisa DeBoer, Flute, and Anne Anderson, Cello. Concert pianist Heena Yoon from UCSB will play Chopin, Anahita Holden playing her harp with Daniel Gerard on guitar, will sing for us. There will also be poetry by Teddy Macker.
Guided meditations will be led by Radhule Weininger and Pravrajika Vrajaprana.
There will be afternoon snacks donated by Fresco Cafe.
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UPDATE FROM LCDM: Dear Friends and Supporters of La Casa:
On January 9th La Casa de Maria sustained damage as a result of the mud and debris flow following the Thomas Fire. While some of the property is untouched, several buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed. Our access to the property remains limited. Once they are able to access the property with professional consultants, we will be able to chart our path to recovery.
In our desire to move through this recovery as best we can, we already have clean up crews on site; moving mud, clearing passageways, and removing debris. It is an overwhelming sight to be sure, but also quite uplifting to see immediate progress. In addition, seeing sections of the property and buildings completely untouched and unmarred by this otherwise destructive event is particularly heartwarming.
By far, the most difficult decision we have had to make in the aftermath of this disaster has been to let go of two-thirds of our staff. Without programming, lodging, food service, and income for the foreseeable future, we simply could not keep everyone. We gathered together to share the news, support each other and provide some tools to aid in recovery and moving forward. As you might imagine, it was an emotional meeting given our deeply connected and committed staff.
You can make a donation directly to LCDM here:
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Join the Relief & Recovery Team
We are so thankful for the countless offers of help. It may be some time before we will be able to sponsor work parties. When we can, we will let everyone know. For now, we are working with a core staff to repair, renew, and eventually re-open our campus.
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Work is in progress.
On Saturday, February 3, approximately fifty members of the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade showed up at La Casa de Maria with shovels and buckets and pitched in to remove hundreds of pounds of mud from our property’s historic chapel.The chapel is just one of the buildings that sustained damage and filled with mud. The Bucket Brigade continues to provide volunteers to clear the property of mud and debris.
LCDM’s Mission: To be a sanctuary of peace for individuals and groups as they renew purpose, strengthen community, and increase their effectiveness in the world.
Through La Casa’s programs and environment, persons of all spiritual paths can search for wisdom, engage in dialogue, embrace the sacred, and nourish body, mind, and spirit, so that, refreshed and renewed, they can participate more responsibly in the creation of a just, peaceful world, and a whole, healthful earth.
