Sunday, June 21st, 2026
This Sunday we’ll celebrate 2 events – Father’s Day and The Summer Solstice! The sun has been associated with powerful Father Energy in many ancient and diverse cultures. The Plains Indians, for example, recognized that without Father Sun’s light and energy, showered upon Mother Earth in so many mysterious ways, that She could not give birth to all her children. She would be barren.
Throughout Native and a host of other traditions, Father Sun has come to symbolize the Source of DIVINE LIGHT and the Procreative Energy of LOVE. We’ll discuss this intermingling of Father Energy with the Summer Solstice this Sunday, and celebrate with a potluck in the backyard following our gathering.
Solstice Blessings! Colleen and Mark
Quotes to ponder
Night in Day
The night never wants to end, to give itself over
to light. So it traps itself in things: obsidian, crows.
Even on summer solstice, the day of light’s great
triumph, where fields of sunflowers guzzle in the sun—
we break open the watermelon and spit out
black seeds, bits of night glistening on the grass.
~ Joseph Stroud
“Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, storytellers, and singers of song.”
~ Pam Brown
“Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now, I have six children and no theories.”
~ John Wilmot
“May we have a peaceful Father’s Day, and may we all become the fathers we needed most.”
~ Danielle Beutell
“Whether we speak of the sun as our Father or as our Brother, we are giving voice to an urge that wells up from the center of our natures, an awareness that we are linked to this giant being, variously called Surya, Sol, Brahma, Helios, Ra, Phoebus-Apollo, etc., by ancient peoples. Paying homage to the sun has nothing in it of servitude, for it is a recognition that we too are sparks of the central fire, that in us also a spiritual sun shines, shedding its bright light upon all activities that are ennobling, kindly, and understanding…”
~ John P. Vater
Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest
Sunday, June 21st, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.
Sunday, July 12th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering. NOTE: this was moved forward one week, from the 5th.
Sunday, July 19th, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, followed by a potluck.
Saturday, August 1st, 7 p.m. – “Paths of Heart Presents…” Shanna in a Dress for a House Concert! If you’ve never seen Shanna, she is a delightful performer with songs that will have you bursting with laughter one minute, and reaching for the tissues in the next. She has just released her new CD, The Sweet Spot, which can be heard on BandCamp. Check out her website: https://www.shannainadress.com. More details coming!
Sunday, August 2nd, 10:30 a.m. – In person Paths of Heart Gathering, with Shanna in a Dress as our guest musician, followed by a potluck.
Sunday, August 16th, 10:30 a.m. – ZOOM Paths of Heart gathering.
Giving Opportunities
Paths of Heart welcomes and appreciates your generous donations in support of our gatherings and other events. Remember, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your donations are tax deductible. Many folks find online donations very convenient and these are always gratefully accepted on our website, https://www.pathsofheart.org/donate/ There is an option for recurring monthly donations, if you so choose. We have also added Venmo as an easy way to donate to Paths of Heart! Just type in @PathsofHeart to find us in the Venmo app. Thank you ever so!
Another easy way to further support Paths of Heart is through the King Soopers Community Rewards Program – If you shop at KS and have a rewards card, you can “link” it to Paths of Heart and King Soopers will donate a portion of your dollars spent (around 5%) to our non-profit. Go to https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards to sign up and link your card. Our organization name is Paths of Heart and organization number is RG782. Let us know if you want help signing up! This one small gesture (by just 25 or so families at this point) helps to generate over $1,000 a year for Paths of Heart, so we appreciate your consideration in participating in this valuable program!!
“Paths of Heart” Labyrinth and Zen Meditation Garden
This was intentioned as a community space, so know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk or sit – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks in the labyrinth to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to walk it on a dry day.
Gratitudes
Thanks for the many well wishes and offers when Colleen was sick last week. She was so sad to miss most of Myles’ visit and playing music with the family, but she’s very much on the mend. We are grateful Myles could be here for a short visit!
What are you grateful for?
“Be mindful. Be grateful. Be positive. Be true. Be kind.”
~ Roy T. Bennett
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
~ Thich Nhat Hanh
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
~ Epicurus
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
~ A.A. Milne
“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
~ Maya Angelou
About Paths of Heart…
Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world. Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.
We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation!
Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!