See what’s happening at Shepherd’s Corner! If you have any questions, please contact us at 614-866-4302 or scecologycenter@gmail.com. You can also check out our Calendar to learn about up and coming programs and events.
“Climate change is the single greatest threat to a sustainable future but, at the same time, addressing the climate challenge presents a golden opportunity to promote prosperity, security and a brighter future for all.”
-Ban Ki-moon (Former Secretary General of the United Nations)
We would like to invite you to watch the film ‘Before the Flood‘. We encourage you to delve a little deeper into the topic of our changing climate.
You can find more information on this National Geographic film here. Including a study guide and more information about the experts featured in the film.
Explore more of the films’ connection with Pope Francis’ Laudato Si encyclical.
Labyrinths are meditation tools that have been used for centuries by many societies and cultures. There are different types, but they have things in common. Unlike a maze there is only one way into the center (and one one way out). The path of the labyrinth often symbolizes a journey. Some are large enough to physically walk but some are not. Even a finger labyrinth can help us find calm and become more relaxed.
We encourage you to use this labyrinth as a way to find calm in this tumultuous time. Print, download, or take a screen shot of the image and follow it with your finger.
Steps:
1. Start by taking deep breaths, to help bring focus and to relax. Find a poem, mediation, or scripture verse that you would like to focus on for your ‘walk’.
2. Choose either your dominant pointer finger (or non dominant if you want to use even more focus). You can also use a pen, pencil, or other implement to ‘walk’ the labyrinth.
3. Slowly and intentionally trace the path. Just as you might walk a labyrinth, you can take the tracing at your own speed.
4. Once you reach the center, take time to relax. Focus on your breathing.
5. Retrace your way out of the labyrinth. Again, at your own pace.
6. Breath, relax and consider how you are feeling when you have retraced your way out of the labyrinth.
Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center is currently closed to the public. Our programs through the beginning of April have been cancelled. We will reopen to visitors when it is safe to do so.
If you have questions or concerns you can reach us at (614) 866-4302
Maple Syrup Tour
Thursday, March 12th 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
$6 per participant
Led by Miranda Land & Dustin McQuade, Staff
Learn about maple sugaring from tree sap out the tap, to syrup on your breakfast. Come see our boiling process and taste our syrup, and more! We ask that children attending be accompanied by adults. The program held on March 7th will be identical to the March 12th program.
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Spring Equinox Labyrinth Walk
Thursday, March 19th 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Suggested Donation: $5
Honoring the beautiful balance of Nature on the Spring Equinox.
Facilitated by Joy Lawrence
Joy is a LMT & a yoga instructor.
Our labyrinth is located on Wengert Road, at the second drive to the right. Snacks and beverages will be included. Please wear comfortable shoes. Everyone is welcome! No previous meditation experience or experience walking labyrinths is required.
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We ask that you register for programs by calling (614) 866-4302 or by visiting our website calendar, https://shepherdscorner.org/calendar/. All programs have a minimum of 5 participants & a snack and beverage are included. Registration, which is required, closes three business days prior to each program. Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center is an outreach of Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Our Maple Tour program for March 7th and the Felting class scheduled for March 21st are both at capacity. If you would like to be added to a wait list, contact Miranda at SCEcologyCenter@gmail.com.
Wednesday, February 12th 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $5
Registration closes 3 business days prior to program.
Storytelling is powerful. Come engage in the process of storytelling as we build, create, and share true and fanciful tales.This program will be engaging, moving, and needs your participation. Join us as we embark in the telling and hearing of stories. There’s no need to have attended the first Storytelling program to join in on this one.
This program is being led by Donna Doone, OPA.
Donna has been in the field of education for more than forty years. A life long learner who can often be found within circles of children and adults who are seeking creativity and playfulness as forms of expression. Donna’s zest for life and love is contagious!
Registration, which is required, closes three business days prior to the program. Minimum of 5 participants.
You can register on our website calendar or by calling us at (614) 866-4302.
Inner Peace of Winter Labyrinth Walk
Wednesday, February 5th 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $5
Go deep, seek peace, listen to the quiet voice within.
Facilitated by Marguerite Chandler, OP
Sr. Marguerite Chandler, is a certified spiritual director/companion registered with Spiritual Directors International.
Our labyrinth is located on Wengert Road, at the second drive to the right. Snacks and beverages will be included. Please wear comfortable shoes. Everyone is welcome! No previous meditation experience or experience walking labyrinths is required. ***Location of walk TBA***
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Storytelling Experience II
Wednesday, February 12th 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $5
Storytelling is powerful. Come engage in the process of storytelling as we build, create, and share true and fanciful tales.This program will be engaging, moving, and needs your participation. Join us as we embark in the telling and hearing of stories. There’s no need to have attended the first Storytelling program to join in on this one.
This program is being led by Donna Doone, OPA.
Donna has been in the field of education for more than forty years. A life long learner who can often be found within circles of children and adults who are seeking creativity and playfulness as forms of expression. Donna’s zest for life and love is contagious!
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Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual Book Discussion (Written by Michael Pollan)
Wednesday, February 19 – Wednesday March 11
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $15/4 weeks $5/per individual
Led by Marguerite Chandler, OP
Eating doesn’t have to be complicated. Food is as much about pleasure and community as nutrition and health. Food Rules guides us with humor, joy, and common sense toward a happier, healthier relationship to food and the planet. Book can be found at your local library, wherever you purchase books, or on websites such as eBay.
All programs have a minimum of 5 participants & a snack and beverage are included. Registration, which is required, closes three business days prior to each program. Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center is an outreach of The Dominican Sisters of Peace.
As Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center looks forward to new opportunities in 2020 to educate
about the vital work of caring for Earth, it is time well spent to look back with gratitude at
some of the gifts of 2019.
The year began with a better than expected maple syrup production. The last several years
have seen the ever-changing weather affect the time frame for tapping the maple sugar trees.
The 2019 season yielded 15 gallons of “liquid gold” to the delight of the many maple syrup fans.
Our wood powered evaporator boiling down maple sap to syrup.
The May Plant Sale always provides an opportunity to talk plants and gardening with our visitors.
All of the plants are raised at Shepherd’s Corner by our gardeners both for our neighbors to
purchase and for our gardens. Shepherd’s Corner staff paused during the sale to plant a red bud
tree to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Join us for our May 2, 2020 plant sale.
Plants, started from seeds, thriving under a grow light.
The 13th Farm Fresh 5K enjoyed dry conditions providing a fun and pleasurable race/walk through
the hay fields, woods and meadow areas of Shepherd’s Corner. The Farm Fresh is the primary
fundraiser for Shepherd’s Corner. The race sponsors, race teams and individual donations support
our environmental programming; subsidize the Food Pantry Garden; provide for maintenance of
the meditation trail and labyrinth. The 14th Farm Fresh 5K will be held June 13, 2020.
Everyone is welcome at our annual Farm Fresh 5K!
Shepherds Fest is the newest addition to our friends and family events at Shepherd’s Corner.
This year’s Shepherd’s Fest added some new activities for families including stone painting and
the opportunity to adopt one of our sheep. Moody Trudy food truck provided food for those
hungry after a hayride or walking the meditation trail and labyrinth. Our gardens welcomed
visitors and the farm stand provided a chance to buy the naturally-grown vegetables.
Next year’s Shepherds Fest is September 26, 2020.
Folks checking out our community partners at our Annual Shepherds Fest.
Another opportunity to meet our neighbors occurred on a smaller scale. Staff had the
opportunity to share spicy peppers with the Somali families who live in a nearby housing
development. The Somali women in return treated the staff to some delicious samosas and fried
bread. Staff hopes to continue this relationship and also to make connections with the Bhutanese
families that live in the area.
Just one of the many hot pepper varieties that are grown in our garden.
A grant from Dominican Sisters of Peace Shalom Fund provided the money needed to put in
gravel walkways from the barn to the high tunnel in the garden and to the pasture fence for
animal visits. The walkway offers a stable surface for any one that may have limited mobility.
Sr. Anne Rutledge & Sr. Merita Charley
Our Food Pantry Garden (1/2 acre in seasonal production) produced a nutritious harvest of
naturally-grown vegetables for local food pantries. The weather didn’t always cooperate, deer,
rabbits, voles and ground hogs also appreciated the produce, but the persistent efforts of our
gardeners, Julie Laudick and Lainie Rini yielded 4,000 lbs in vegetables with 3,000 lbs going to
local food pantries (HEART- (Reynoldsburg, GRIN-Gahanna, and Griffin Center at Christ the
King Church). These donations happened because of our gardener volunteers who gave hours
to planting, weeding, and harvesting the vegetables.
Plants growing in the high tunnel in our food production garden.
As part of our efforts to encourage care for Earth, we welcomed students from Holy Spirit, St.
Pius, an Otterbein College environmental science class, and science education student teachers
from Ohio Dominican University. Visits during the year from families, individuals, and groups
also provide opportunities to share the gifts of the land along with meeting our llama, sheep and
chickens. Volunteers of all ages gave over 3,000 hours annually to further Shepherd’s Corner’s
mission of caring for land, life and spirit.
Ohio Dominican Faculty and Staff enjoyed a day out at Shepherd’s Corner.
We look forward to 2020 with hope and in faith in our God who provides for all that we need to live
into our mission of caring for Earth and for those in need of spiritual and physical nourishment.
All programs have a minimum of 5 participants & a snack and beverage are included. Registration closes three business days prior to each program. Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center is an outreach of The Dominican Sisters of Peace.
Comfort, Community, and Centering: January Labyrinth Walk
Saturday, January 11th 10:00 am – 11:30 pm
Suggested Donation: $5
Registration closes 3 business days prior to program.
We’re all just walking each other home.” -Rumi
Facilitated by Donna Doone, OPA
Donna has been in the field of education for more than forty years. A life long learner who can often be found within circles of children and adults who are seeking creativity and playfulness as forms of expression. Donna’s zest for life and love is contagious!
Our labyrinth is located on Wengert Road, at the second drive to the right. Snacks and beverages will be included. Please wear comfortable shoes. Everyone is welcome! No previous meditation experience or experience walking labyrinths is required. ***Location of walk depends on the status of outdoor labyrinth***
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Rediscover the Practice of Fasting
Tuesday, January 21 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $5
Registration closes 3 business days prior to program.
Discover or rediscover that fasting is a practice with many benefits for our body, mind and soul. Fasting has long been a tradition and spiritual practice of many faiths including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and others. With the coming of the observance of Lent, this is a time to reacquaint ourselves with this practice.
Come and join a conversation about personal fasting experiences and understandings of this rich spiritual practice.
“… fasting is a way of communication with God and a way of caring for God’s personal gift to us – ourselves.” … Pat Dominic in the book Fasting Rediscovered by Thomas Ryan.
Facilitated by: John Seryak
John Seryak is a lifelong educator retired from 45 years as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, tutor, and home instructor. He is also a volunteer at Shepherd’s Corner, serves as Labyrinth caretaker and as a Board of Advisers member. John is a Third Order Secular Franciscan yet also follows the examples of the Dominican and Benedictine traditions or religious spirituality.
Thursday, December 5th, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Friday, December 6th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Looking for special gifts this holiday season? We will be open for the purchasing of gifts at the above listed times on December 5th and 6th.
We have chicken pot holder & towel holders, bottle stoppers, Christmas ornaments, angel pins, llama print soft lap blankets, crocheted creatures, dryer balls, bee smooth hand cream and more! Our 2019 maple syrup is sold out but we have our delicious basil garlic vinegar for purchase!
As a reminder, we are able to take cash and check for purchases made.
Join us at our monthly programs, a night walk and our winter solstice labyrinth walk.
Nearly Winter Night Walk
Thursday, December 5th 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Led by Miranda Land, Staff
Suggested Donation: $5
Come explore our woods as the twilight fades. On this walk we will seek to notice more as dusk fades into night. Please dress for the weather as this will be outside.
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Balance/Unity Labyrinth Walk
Saturday, December 21st 7:00 – 8:30 pm
***Location of walk TBA***
Facilitated by Barbara Hamilton, Musician
Suggested Donation: $5
We will share music and thoughts on the meaning of the Season.
Our main labyrinth is located on Wengert Road, at the second drive to the right. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. No previous meditation experience or experience walking labyrinths is required.
