"We had a wonderful ceremony at Maine Audubon on Sunday July 15, 2007.
Audubon donated the use of their beautiful education facility on the 53 acre reserve they have on the Presumscot River. Maine Audubon staff even came to participate!

The space was decorated with flowers, a big earth flag and there was a lovely altar table with hand woven, colorful cloths from Tibet and South America.
As people gathered, we played Jonathan Edwards song, "This Island Earth."

We had people from New Hampshire and all over Maine--from as far as three hours drive away! We brought in the spirits in an interactive way so everybody could participate, did a guided imagery of gratitude, sang (and African song) and made a big dance circle. The whole group sang and drummed, while each one in turn took an opportunity to play the World Drum. Once we all had a chance to drum and dance with it, we closed with a pledge of allegiance to the Earth and a round of cheers! They took away a list of actions to take against global warming, too. We sent them out into a showery day with Allan Toussaint singing: "We Are One." What a great day!

Here is the pledge that I wrote for the occasion.
Feel free to use it in your ceremony if you are so moved.

I pledge allegiance to the Earth,
To care for our planet,
our waters and our atmosphere,
To respect and honor
all her inhabitants--
All people, animals, plants and resources.

I pledge with heart and hand,
to create a legacy--
for our children,
and our children’s children--
of a healthy world,
on this, our only Home.

We're sending a big prayer that your community's visit with the World Drum is a powerful one!!
Have fun!

Blessings,

Evelyn Rysdyk & Allie Knowlton
Spirit Passages
www.spiritpassages.com