Outreach! Not out-of-reach
Eden Gloria

I don't think that Maqui will mind if I share with you all something that happened to him yesterday to introduce this article having the working title of "ZMS Outreach to the Zuni Area Community."

Kate, a local Ramah resident, called and left a message for Maqui on our answering machine at ZMS. It included a song she had written especially for him for his birthday and blessings from her and her family. Remarkable? Yes, for its celebration of human genuineness, but no longer exceptional or extraordinary that a "local" should express such regard for a ZMS steward.

Magic has happened here. It has been wonderful to see what is possible when people become open to one another. How? When? Why? Who knows? But seemingly, all of a sudden, we here at ZMS are enjoying working and playing with many, many people in our larger home area. We have met dozens of new friends. We've been to their homes. They have been to ours. The interweaving of our lives is making a strong connection for relationships that cannot help but grow.

Last year, there wasn't isolation, but contact was as necessity required. There was no real outreach being pursued. There was caution in our attitudes with our neighbors, coming I suppose from an awareness that "clash of cultures" was possible. Here is a small town, rural, primarily a single religion base, and in moves a small band of faeries attempting to start a community sanctuary. "Go slow" would seem to make sense. That is definitely not the case this year.

We are involved with the El Morro Area Arts Council, even to the degree where we contribute to the planning sessions. The local Farmers Market, art shows, seminars, workshops, and area events all include ZMS participation. Involvement with a newly formed organic foods coop in Gallup, contact with other local food coop buying clubs, and possibly now beginning our own larger buying club with the enthusiastic cooperation of many of our neighbors…all of this and more has come about in recent months and is all but overwhelming to consider how far we have come in such a short time.

What curious mix of energy has brought all of this into blossom? Well, rather than ponder the question and try to delve the reasons, I for one am more inclined to be gratefully accepting of the flow of energy around us and our neighbors and enjoy all of the new and exciting opportunities that are open to all of us. Let the magic happen!