May 18thSalva Terra News
Reports from the Sounds of the Eternal Book Launch in Manhattan
On May 10th, John Philip Newell celebrated the launch of the American edition of "Sounds of the Eternal" at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. The following are observations made by pastor Randy Weber and Lee Ann Monat, who were at the event.
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in the heart of midtown Manhattan was very pleased to host the official launch of "Sounds of the Eternal – A Celtic Psalter" on Thursday afternoon May 10th, 2012 in our Chapel. Fifth Avenue Church has been the site for a variety of Interfaith Worship Services and Educational Seminars in New York involving members of Churches, Synagogues and Mosques in the City, and members of these Faith Communities were represented in the 60 people who attended the Book Launch. This new edition of the book, is a collaborative effort between well known Jewish Artist Tobi Kahn, and Christian Theologian and Author, John Philip Newell. The service order for the event included readings and chants from Sounds of the Eternal led by John Philip and reflections on Art and Sacred Space by Tobi Kahn. Kahn's Sky and Water paintings are beautifully paired in the book, with morning and evening prayers for each day of the week composed by Newell. Two of Kahn's original Sky and Water paintings were on display in the Church Gallery for the day. The event concluded with a lovely reception and book signing in the Church's LaDane Williamson Christian Education, which was well attended and enjoyed by all!
Randy Weber - Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
The book launch event was simply lovely. The readings, chants and stories created a wonderfully serene atmosphere in the chapel...very much like the feelings created while reading Sounds of the Eternal. The event was the perfect antidote to a stressful working day. Chanting and singing lent a wonderful sense of community to the evening.
Lee Ann Monat - Lion Art Creations
Salva Terra Newsletter: May 2012
Salva Terra Newsletter for May 2012
There is a Celtic saying that heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but in thin places that distance is even smaller. You are invited to Ghost Ranch in July, where all things are possible, to take a journey with John Philip Newell and others. A journey that may change your life.
Thin places are where heaven and earth are so close together it is possible to get a glimpse of the other side. It is not unusual for thin places to be found where the scenery is stunningly beautiful, like the Isle of Iona and Ghost Ranch.
For some, there is no better place in the world than the thin place of northern New Mexico and the spiritually infused environs of Casa del Sol to immerse yourself in the inspiration offered by John Philip Newell.
To the Home of Peace: A Spirituality for Change
In retreat at Casa del Sol you will explore what it means to live in harmony with the earth and choose the way of peace in every moment and relationship of your life. Using as its basic text these words from the Quran, "God invites Us to the Home of Peace," this retreat continues the work of the Praying for Peace Initiative in which we pray and chant for peace by using words from the Hebrew scriptures, the teachings of Jesus, Christian and Muslim perspectives, as well as experiences of prayer and worship in the three traditions. Week 1 (July 2-8) is nearly full but there are a few spaces left. Week 2, a more intimately sized retreat (July 9-15) has about six openings left.
David Poole will join John Philip and Ali in leading the group the 3rd week of July 16-22. This week is specifically designed for those in their twenties and thirties. Scholarships are available and there are still openings for this week.
Casa del Sol
The Spiritual Retreat House of Ghost Ranch is the perfect contemplative retreat space. This charming, historic hacienda was built in the 1930s and is the former home of the first Director of Ghost Ranch, Jim Hall. Anchored under the Puerto de Cielo rock formation two miles from the main Ranch campus, it has a spacious courtyard looking out on the desert and Pedernal, Ghost Ranch's landmark mountain. A small heart-shaped labyrinth is nearby. Casa del Sol hosts Ghost Ranch courses that are spiritual in nature, and its rooms are set aside for participants in such classes (with a "CDS" in the course number.) The classic adobe home with fireplace, kitchen and simple living surrounded by inspiring landscapes houses six to eight people in single and double accommodations. Six bedrooms share three bathrooms; most rooms have doors that open onto the courtyard.
Click here for more information about this retreat.
Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register online for these courses.
Prayer for the Week of May 13 to May 19
Celtic Prayers, John Philip Newell
Prayer for the week of May 13th to May 19th.
"In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on mortals,
while they slumber on their beds,
then God opens their ears."
--Job 33:15-16
In the quiet of the night
may we know your presence, O God.
At the ending of the day
may our soul be alive to your nearness.
Amidst the tiredness that overcomes our body
and the tensions that linger in our mind,
amidst the uncertainties and fears
that haunt us in the darkness of the night,
let us know your presence, O God,
let our soul be alive to your nearness.
Silence
Be still and aware of God's presence
within and all around.
From "Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter" (American Edition 2012)
Page 8
Announcing the new American edition of John Philip Newell's adored and transformative prayerbook, Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter with four never before published prayers! Also, featuring the contemporary, subtle, and calming illustrations by the artist, Tobi Kahn.
The artwork is a perfect compliment to each morning and night prayer and certainly a beautiful way to experience the words in a fresh and illuminating way.
John Philip Newell Book Signing in New Harmony, Indiana
John Philip Newell book signing for "A New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth, and the Human Soul." in New Harmony, Indiana
John Philip Newell will be in New Harmony, Indiana on Wednesday, May 16th, to sign books and talk about his vision for humanity as expressed in his new book "A New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth, and The Human Soul."
Sara Anne Corrigan has written about this event in an article in the Evansville Courier & Press:
Jane Owen, whose name has become synonymous with New Harmony, "was a great admirer of Lord MacLeod," Newell said.
Owen embraced MacLeod's philosophy and spirituality and, "She realized I was a student of (his) and was committed to his vision of transformation in our world through nonviolence. She invited me to give some talks in New Harmony," Newell said.
"I first came to New Harmony in 2001 and immediately fell in love with Jane Owen and her vision, including New Harmony's history of experimentation and willingness to work for a spiritual revolution of life."
John Philip Newell will be speaking and signing books at the MacLeod Barn Abbey. 810 North St., in New Harmony Indiana.
A reception will follow and Newell will autograph copies of "A New Harmony" and his other books, all of which will be for sale.
Information: Historic New Harmony, Inc., 812-682-4488.
For wholesale inquiries and books for special events, contact Elizabeth Cauthorn of Material Media. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Prayer for the Week of May 6 to May 12
Celtic Prayers, John Philip Newell
Prayer for the week of May 6th to May 12th.
"Those who wait for God shall renew their strength."
--Isaiah 40:31
Before us in the planned shape of this day
we look for unexpected surgings of new life.
Around us in the people whom we know and love
we look for unopened gifts of promise.
Within us in the familiar sanctuary of our own soul
we look for shinings of the everlasting light.
Before us, around us, within us
we look for your life-giving mystery, O God,
before us, around us, within us.
Silence
Be still and aware of God's presence
within and all around.
From "Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter" (American Edition 2012)
Page 5
Announcing the new American edition of John Philip Newell's adored and transformative prayerbook, Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter with four never before published prayers! Also, featuring the contemporary, subtle, and calming illustrations by the artist, Tobi Kahn.
The artwork is a perfect compliment to each morning and night prayer and certainly a beautiful way to experience the words in a fresh and illuminating way.
Sounds of the Eternal Book Launch - May 10th in Manhattan
Sounds of the Eternal Book Launch - May 10th in Manhattan
You are invited to a book launch:
May 10, 2012
5:00 p.m.
Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
the corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street
Manhattan, New York
Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter
New Edition by Material Media: A collaboration between Jewish artist, Tobi Kahn, and Christian teacher, John Philip Newell
Celebrate the new edition of the book with a booksigning, a visit with the artist, and refreshments.
RVSP by May 7th to Joni Mack Weed, Event Liaison Coordinator
Salva Terra, A Vision Towards Earth's Healing
P O Box 2643 Jackson, Wyoming 83001
307-733-2720
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The American edition of Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter is now available, published by New Beginnings, an imprint of Material Media.
Publisher Elizabeth Cauthorn noted that the original book went out of print in America. While she was at New Harmony, she discovered an art exhibit by Tobi Kahn entitled "Sky and Water." She felt the artwork would make a perfect illumination for a new edition of Sounds of the Eternal, which has themes tying Celtic Christianity with Judaism.
The original edition is still available in the UK with its original illuminations.
The new edition has a few changes. Among them:
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- A new preface
- Four new prayers
- New phrasing in the first person plural, to make the prayers more applicable to groups.
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For wholesale inquiries and books for special events, contact Elizabeth Cauthorn of Material Media. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Systems Thinking in John Philip Newell's "A New Harmony"
John Philip Newell, Family Systems Theory, A New Harmony, Celtic Christianity
The following passage is from A New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth, and the Human Soul. John Philip Newell draws deeply upon a number of wisdom sources. In this passage, one can see the wisdom of Family Systems thinking, as it is applied to larger groups. In systems thinking, mental illness is sometimes seen as a marker or "identified patient" that presents the symptoms of a larger, system-wide disorder.
When I am asked to say one thing about spirituality, I often quote my [son] Brendan. God goes beat, beat, beat. God, the very heartbeat of life, the Soul within our soul, the Presence without whom there would be no present. But my Brendan now as a young man is often unable to hear the beat at the heart of life. In his late teens he suffered a severe mental breakdown that holds him in a type of imprisonment to anxiety and at times paranoia.
The longer we have lived with mental illness within us as a family, the more I have come to believe that Brendan's illness is not his, in a limited sense. It is certainly his on a daily basis as he battles fear in almost every moment and every relationship. But it is not limitedly his. It is ours, ours as a family but also ours as a society and as a world today Through Brendan we have come to know other young men who similarly suffer from anxiety. These are sensitive and often artistic young men. They are manifesting our illness. They are exhibiting symptoms of the fear that drives our nations, our societies, our lifestyles. And I have come to believe that Brendan will not be truly well until we are well, and that we will not be truly well until Brendan and others like him are well. Our healing belongs inextricably together.
We live in the midst of a new consciousness of life's interrelatedness. And this awareness relates both to life's essential oneness and to life's shared brokenness. Like never before in the history of humanity, we are becoming aware that what we do to a part we do to the whole, that the parts will not be well as long as the whole is neglected, and that the whole will not be well if the parts are neglected. We know that it is meaningless to speak of being truly well as parents if our children are unwell. We know that we cannot claim true wellness for our nation as long as other nations are suffering. And we know that the human species can in no sense be considered healthy when the body of the earth is deeply infected. Wellness is found not in isolation but in relationship.
From A New Harmony: The Spirit, The Earth, and The Human Soul by John Philip Newell
Prologue: xii-xiii
Prayer for the Week of April 29 to May 5
Celtic Prayers, John Philip Newell
Prayer for the week of April 29th to May 5th.
"For you alone, O God, my soul waits in silence, for my hope is in you."
--Psalm 62:5
That you have made us in the image
of your own mystery
thanks be to you, O God.
That in the soul of every human being
there are depths beyond naming
and heights greater than knowing
thanks be to you.
Grant us the grace of inner sight this day
that we may see you as the Self within all selves.
Grant us the grace of love this day
that amidst the pain and disfigurement of life
we may find the treasure that is unlocked by love,
that amidst the pain and disfigurement of our own life
we may know the richness that lies buried
in the human soul.
Silence
Pray for the coming day and for the life of the world.
From "Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter" (American Edition 2012)
Page 4
Announcing the new American edition of John Philip Newell's adored and transformative prayerbook, Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter with four never before published prayers! Also, featuring the contemporary, subtle, and calming illustrations by the artist, Tobi Kahn.
The artwork is a perfect compliment to each morning and night prayer and certainly a beautiful way to experience the words in a fresh and illuminating way.
The following is a press release by Central Presbyterian Church of Lafayette, Indiana
For Immediate Release
For more information contact :
Rev. Dr. Jeff Cover at 765-742-8481 (w)
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Acclaimed spiritual leader and earth advocate visits Lafayette
An international theologian whose life work is advocating for harmony in the universe will be the guest speaker at Central Presbyterian Church May 11-13.
Dr. John Philip Newell is a scholar, peacemaker, poet and ordained Church of Scotland minister who is acclaimed for his work in the field of Celtic spirituality and care of the earth. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh and has authored more than 15 books. His latest book A New Harmony was named one of the "Best Spiritual Books of 2011." He also has produced four CD's of meditative prayers and chants.
Newell, who has taught in New Harmony, IN, has formed Salva Terra: A Vision Toward Earth's Healing as a non-profit organization to "seek transformation by remembering life's sacredness, addressing life's brokenness and serving earth's oneness."
The schedule of free events at the church (31 N. Seventh St., Lafayette) includes having Newell give a community presentation/book signing at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11, and a two-hour experiential workshop for the community at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12. He will also preach on Mother's Day at two services, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Newell is the former spiritual leader of Iona Abbey in Scotland and he leads retreats each July at Ghost Ranch Presbyterian retreat center near Santa Fe in addition to traveling across the United States weekly to lead seminars.
Prayer for the Week: From Sounds of the Eternal
Celtic Prayers, John Philip Newell
Prayer for the week of April 22nd to 28th.
"Happy are those whose hearts do not condemn them, and who have not given up hope."
--Ecclesiasticus 14:2
You are above us, O God,
you are within.
You are in all things
yet contained by no thing.
Teach us to seek you in all that has life
that we may see you as the Light of life.
Teach us to search for you in our own depths
that we may find you in every living soul.
Silence
Be still and aware of God's presence within and all around
From "Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter" (American Edition 2012)
Page 2
Announcing the new American edition of John Philip Newell's adored and transformative prayerbook, Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter with four never before published prayers! Also, featuring the contemporary, subtle, and calming illustrations by the artist, Tobi Kahn.
The artwork is a perfect compliment to each morning and night prayer and certainly a beautiful way to experience the words in a fresh and illuminating way.