AS EASY AS CROSSING OVER A BRIDGE . . .
Sometimes spiritual growth is as easy as crossing a bridge,
and sometimes, it's not. This is the covered bridge at Coker Creek Village.
Dear Readers,
My name is Sandy Nathan. For the last few years I've had the privilege bringing you the Gathering's web site and giving you a report on the most recent Gathering. Every one has been different, offering new challenges and growth experiences.
The 2006 Gathering was my fourth––I'm a baby in participation compared to the event's founders and those that have attended from the start. Still, I was beginning to feel like an old-timer. I fly from California to go to the retreat; I live pretty near as far from Coker Creek Village in Tennessee as a person can get in the continental USA.
It's a long trip. Lots to do––get a ticket, rent a car, pack my stuff, get to the airport. Go through all the stuff a person must to do to get on an airplane these days. (Boy, do those metal detectors love my replaced knee!)
In previous years, it's been fun. "Oh, boy. A new adventure! Another Gathering! I wonder what if will be like? Whoopee!"
Maybe I was in a bad mood this time, or tired. I think I was riding on the monorail that takes you from one part of the Dallas International Airport when it happened. (Did you know that Dallas airport is so big that JFK, LAX and the San Francisco airports could fit inside it, with room to spare for another international airport?)
Somewhere on that monorail, while I was wondering if I'd miss my stop (again), a little voice inside of me spoke:
"This is not fun. I am not having fun."
STREAM AT COKER CREEK VILLAGE,
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Getting to Tennessee wasn't fun, and neither was the rest of the trip: Getting my rented car, finding my Alcoa TN motel in the dark. Getting on the freeway to drive to the retreat the next day and missing every single off ramp. . . I was almost in Georgia by the time I figured out that I was lost.
Even so, I could feel something inside me wake up as I approached the Coker Creek Village, site of the Gathering. Very soon, that something was jumping up and down inside of me yelling, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" I was going to the Gathering. I was almost there. Look at those trees! Look at that sky! Look at the main lodge! Look! I'm here!
I know that inner excitement, the thing jumping up and down, was my soul. My soul wanted to be there, and dragged the rest along. All the way across the country. That's how spirit works.
Sometimes, it's not easy until you get there.
So if you're someone who's wanted to go to the Gathering for years, but something always comes up . . . Just cross the bridge. Put one foot in front of the other until you get there. Soon enough, your soul will ignite and take you the rest of the way.
That little voice kept going all the rest of the Gathering, and back home. It's going as I write. The inner excitement, the aliveness. If you've been to the Gathering, you'll know what I'm talking about. If you've thought about going to the Gathering, but something has always come up––look at the picture of the bridge above. It's the covered bridge crossing onto the Gathering grounds, sacred grounds. All you have to do it follow the call of your heart, and sign up. Then put one foot in front of the other.
I want to invite you to next year's Gathering. Whether you're one of the founders, a regular, or one of those who's always wanted to go but somehow hasn't made it. Or if you've never heard of the Holston conference Gathering before and were just looking for pictures of covered bridges on the Net and something pulled you in . . . Please join me at the Gathering 2007. I'll be there, God willing. I'd love to say hello.
The 2006 Gathering surpassed all my expectations, once again. It was the largest Gathering ever. Bill's talk and concert were fabulous. It was a wondrous spiritual experience, a glorious event that started teaching me before I got there. Something amazing happens during the Gathering. The fellowship of the people––folks I've known for four Gatherings are like blood-kin, and so are people I just met. It's a place where differences melt. Where glory lives and sings. Where spirit has a ball.
These photos give just a glimpse of the real thing. This year, I'm only putting up photos from 2006––the only one from 2005 is the one of Bishop Swanson. The menu at the side will take you to ample coverage of previous years. That's LOTSA pictures. The web site has had a redo. So enjoy a visit to past Gatherings.
Come with me, we'll walk around the Gathering.
Sandy Nathan
SANDY NATHAN
I'm holding a ceremonial fan made by the Gathering's Director, Vicki Collins.
Here's 2006:
I'm using the photos I've got. Some events are very well represented, others are not.
JIMMY YELLOWHORSE OPENING THE GATHERING
BISHOP JAMES E. SWANSON GAVE THE INVOCATION
MAKING THE PRAYER TREE
The prayer tree is a Native American tradition followed at the Gathering.
At the beginning of every retreat, everyone makes a prayer bundle, cloth wrapped around tobacco, sweetgrass & sage tied with yarn. While making the prayer bundle, the participant puts his or her prayers and blessings into the bundle. Bundles are tied on a prayer tree, which holds the hopes and needs of those at the retreat.
Here's the schedule:
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
| SATURDAY: |
|
8:30 - 9:30 |
Registration |
9:30 - 10:15 |
Orientation/Devotions |
10:30 - 12:00 |
WORKSHOP 1 |
12:00 - 12:45
|
Lunch |
1:00 - 2:00
|
Spiritual Enrichment with BILL MILLER |
|
|
Free time: Stroll the trails, take a hairdo along the Trail of Tears, browse the gift shop, or relax on the porch in a rocking chair. Bill Miller will be available part of this time for autographs and photos. |
3:15 - 5:45 |
Pow Wow |
|
|
Dinner |
7:30 |
BILL MILLER CONCERT Opening for Bill will be his friends Mona Juckett and Emerson Begay |
|
SUNDAY: |
|
8:00
|
Breakfast |
9:00- 9:30 |
Closing remarks |
9:45 - 11:15 |
WORKSHOP 2 |
11:30 |
Closing Circle |
The 2006 workshops were great, as usual.
2006 WORKSHOPS
|
WORKSHOP TITLE |
PRESENTER |
DESCRIPTION |
| (A) CHEROKEE POTTERY |
MARY T. NEWMAN |
Learn how pottery was made in the old days from potter Mary T. Newman. This class will also include instruction and hands-on opportunities for working in clay. Of Cherokee descent. Mary T. resides in Ashland City, TN. with her family .She conducts pottery workshops and displays throughout the southeast and as far away as Alaska |
| (B) NAVAJO LANGUAGE THROUGH MUSIC |
EMERSON BEGAY |
Experience the rare opportunity to learn a few words in the very complex Navajo language and the important role of music in Native Culture. Led by full-blood Navajo Emerson Begay,this class will entertain as well as educate. Emerson is a well-known men's traditional dancer, artist and musician originally from Farmington, NM. |
| (C) POW WOW 101 |
JONATHON FEATHER |
This workshop is designed for newcomers to pow wows as well as those who have attended pow wows and had questions they were afraid to ask. This class will include POW wow etiquette, explanations of each dance style and the regalia associated with it,other POW wow customs such as giveaways,etc., and a discussion of common mistakes (offensive questions,etc.) often made by unknowing newcomers. Jonathon is Cherokee/Lakota. He grew up on the Qualla boundary in Cherokee, NC where he now lives with his wife Cindy and three daughters who are all accomplished dancers. Jonathon has been involved in POW wows his entire life in every aspect from champion hoop dancer to MC and judge of dance competitions. |
| (D) HONEYSUCKLE BASKETS |
DALE CLOER |
Learn about the history and construction of traditional honeysuckle baskets from Eastern Band Cherokee Dale Cloer. Dale will instruct you in every detail from gathering and preparing the materials to the actual construction. He and his wife Vicki Standingdeer , a well-known women's traditional dancer, reside on the Qualla boundary in NC. THIS IS A TWO-PART WORKSHOP INVOLVING ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE DO NOT CHOOSE A SECOND WORKSHOP AS YOU WILL BE IN THE BASKET CLASS BOTH DAYS. |
| (E) BEADWORK |
LINDA CASH |
Learn about the history and significance of the various styles and techniques of traditional Native American beadwork from accomplished beader Linda Cash. A native of Clinton,TN., Linda is of Cherokee/Metis'. Her exquisite beadwork is museum quality and is treasured by those fortunate enough to own one of her pieces. THIS IS A TWO-PART CLASS. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS WORKSHOP,YOU WILL TAKE IT BOTH DAYS. PLEASE DO NOT CHOOSE A SECOND WORKSHOP. |
| (F) CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES |
SCOTT CRISP |
Scott Crisp (Cherokee descent) will entertain children ages 12 and under while teaching them about Native American culture. These activities will include stories,basic dance steps,blow gun, a few Cherokee words, POW wow etiquette for children, etc. All taught in Papa Bear's unique fun-loving style. From Etowah, TN., Scott is well-known throughout the southeast as a men's traditional dancer and educator and is one of the most popular MC's in the area. |
MARY T. NEWMAN TEACHING CHEROKEE POTTERY
I took Mary's class––my first ever experience with clay. I made a tolerable bowl, to my great surprise. It was a great class, Mary. Thanks!
Sorry other workshop presenters, this is the only photo I've got of the workshops.
LOVE THAT POW-WOW! BETTER AND BETTER, AND GREAT TO START!
THE ALL WARRIORS' HONOR SOCIETY COLOR GUARD IN THE POW-WOW OPENING
THE 2006 POW-WOW OFFICIALS
| Master of Ceremonies |
Scott Crisp |
| Head Lady |
Nikki Crisp |
| Head Man |
Emerson Begay |
| Hoop Dancer |
Jonathon Feather |
| Host Drum |
Warriors' Path |
| Color Guard |
All Warriors Color Guard |
| Head Veteran |
Ronnie Johnson |
 |
Dave Collins and Jonathon Feather in the Color Guard. |
HEAD LADY NIKKI CRISP & HEAD MAN EMERSON BEGAY
IN THE OPENING PROCESSION
JONATHON FEATHER PERFORMS AN AMAZING HOOP DANCE!
POW-WOW MOMENTS: THE GATHERING POW-WOW IS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP
JENNY & EMERSON
NIKKI & WHITNEY
KELE CRISP
VICKI COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF THE GATHERING,
WITH HER HUSBAND, DAVE COLLINS, AND LINDA . . . AND
VICKI COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF THE GATHERING,
WITH HER HUSBAND, DAVE COLLINS, AND JENNY
THE COLLINS FAMILY: CHRISTIE, VICKI & DAVE
BILL MILLER'S CONCERT:
You'll notice that no pictures of Bill at the concert are shown here. That's because I have so many pictures that this page would never load if I put them up here. (It may never load as it is.)
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PHOTOS OF BILL AT THE CONCERT. PLEASE USE YOUR BROWER'S BACK BUTTON TO COME BACK TO THIS PAGE.
JAIMIE RUSSELL PLAYED HIS EXQUISITE, SOULFUL MUSIC TO OPEN FOR BILL
AN AFTER CONCERT HUG: LINDA, BILL & JENNY
THE GATHERING IS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP: STEPH, JAYNE & LINDA, KAREN
THE CLOSING CEREMONY:
Vicki Collins fans the smoke of the burning Prayer Tree.
The smoke carries the prayers in the prayer bundles to heaven.
Once again, the Gathering has come to an end.
Please join us next year for Gathering 2007 as we rise to the next level of fellowship and love.
TO BILL MILLER'S WEB SITE
GO TO BILL MILLER'S PAGE ON SPURS MAGAZINE
EMAIL THE GATHERING DIRECTOR
E-MAIL SANDY NATHAN
