July 2025 NEWSLETTER
Written By Ashley Whitaker
Dear Windermere Community,
On July 1, the Tuesday after the MSIA Conference, Windermere Ranch hosted Community Day: A Celebration of Peace and Community, inspired by the children’s book of a similar name: You, Me, We: A Celebration of Peace and Community.
The intention for the day was simple yet powerful: to gather, connect, serve, be in nature—and to celebrate peace in all its forms.
Like most events, the day began by calling in the Light. We gathered at the Windermere labyrinth—not a paved or permanent structure, but one formed from small stones set into the earth. Over time, nature has taken root. Weeds now grow along the path, seemingly unconcerned with the vision for this space that was created for walking meditations and spiritual reflection.
Weeks before the community day, Christi Mider—this year’s first annual You Rock, Rock award recipient—noted that the labyrinth needed attention. She recalled how a previous resident of the ranch maintained it weekly, sometimes even daily.
After speaking with her, I researched how to remove the weeds efficiently, even considering renting a steam tile cleaner. When the machine wasn’t available, I took it as a cue to pause. I remembered something Ted Drake once said: “Perhaps instead of getting more people to help with what we are currently doing, we need to be doing less.”
So I asked myself—what if we didn’t maintain the labyrinth at all? What if we let it go?
I sat with that question, placing it in the Light, and waited for inner guidance. Meanwhile, we invited people to the community day with the plan to meet at the labyrinth—not manicured or pristine, the way I might have wanted it, but perfectly imperfect.
So on July 1, more than 35 people gathered and Ted called in the Light. Did anyone notice the weeds? Maybe. Probably. Though I initially saw the overgrowth as a reflection of my own neglect (the only "weed" that truly needed to be plucked that day), I eventually allowed that voice to settle—into the deep peace that was present.
A few weeks later, we received a note from someone who had heard about the labyrinth through his spouse, who had co-hosted a poetry workshop at Windermere in May. It turns out he’s a professional labyrinth designer and certified labyrinth walk leader. He offered to help lead a volunteer group to restore and maintain the labyrinth at Windermere—and even proposed guiding a labyrinth walk this fall.
We’re currently planning a volunteer work day (stay tuned for details), with his walk to follow later this year.
Sometimes, right action doesn’t begin with removing weeds—or removing the labyrinth—but with asking the right question in meditation. And then trusting the next step will reveal itself.
“If you do take your consciousness and direct it toward something—a rose bush, for example—loving and blessing it, it will bear more abundantly. If you pray over seeds with your love, saying, ‘I will plant you, and you will grow and be magnificent,’ it will stir the life force within the seed and give it the promise to fulfill.”
— John-Roger, D.S.S.
In that same spirit, Community Day Participants turned their attention to the garden—clearing weeds, extending the Buddha Rock trail, and preparing the beds. Together, we planted a soil-enriching cover crop that is now thriving. It’s a living symbol of regeneration, care, and community.
“A wonderful form of meditation is tending to your own garden. Getting your hands in the dirt for the sake of growing new life grounds your body, strengthens your spirit, and rejuvenates your soul.”
— Anthony William
Later in the day, we sat in a heartfelt sharing circle, reflecting on what Windermere means to us and how we each experience peace—not just as an idea, but as something lived. One person noted that next year marks 40 years since IIWP's purchase of Windermere Ranch. We look forward to honoring that milestone in 2026—and hope you’ll be part of it.
Makeda sang a song in the circle, which is being released today!
From Makeda:
My first original single, “In My Heart,” comes out July 25. Streaming wherever you listen to music. This song is so special to me... and now I’m so excited to share it with you!
Click here to listen to Makeda's song on Spotify.
We ended the community day by breaking bread together—something Ted once told me was important to John-Roger. For those who’ve visited Windermere, you know I’ve taken this to heart.
At the meal, each guest received a blessing from the IIWP Adopt-a-Quality program at their seat, and we shared a sign of peace with one another. After the meal, Amanda—a professional gluten-free baker and now Windermere resident—and her son Wyatt hosted a bake sale offering sweet nourishment for body and heart.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributes to making Windermere Ranch a place where peace is planted, nurtured, and shared—not just during a single event, but as a way of life.
Peace is in small moments, big moments, all moments.
Peace is in you. Peace is in me.
Peace is the great big WE of community.
— You, Me, We
Please stay tuned for 2026 Conference dates. Windermere Ranch Community Day will take place on the Tuesday following Conference and will include a celebration of four decades of stewardship, service, and spirit—together.
If you did not have a chance to attend the IIWP Conference event or the Windermere Ranch Community Day, we invite you to take part in the IIWP Adopt-A-Quality Program, which offers a way to claim and cultivate the qualities of peace already present within you.
By energizing a quality you wish to deepen—and making a donation in support—you become a conduit for that quality to flow through you and out into the world, while supporting IIWP’s mission.
Last weekend, a small but mighty team of volunteers gathered to clean out the carriage room in the barn. We’re excited to share more progress soon, but here’s a little sneak peek of one of the bays.
Saturday was a full day of service—and, again, we took time to share a meal together. This has become a personal ministry of mine, especially after hearing Ted share the value John-Roger placed on gathering in spiritual community over meals. For lunch, we enjoyed a baked potato bar and a garden-fresh salad, and after the workday wrapped up, we shared sashimi-grade bluefin tuna gifted by a local fisherman.
Sunday began with Pancake Sunday and continued with sweeping and power-washing the barn floor in preparation for Insight III.
We’ll be completing the prep this Saturday (7/26) and warmly invite you to join us. Lunch will feature hearty stone soup—for which the Jolly Ranchers have been busy harvesting—and gluten-free rolls, freshly baked by Amanda.
The Folklore of Stone Soup
A hungry—perhaps mystical—traveler arrives in a village (or in our case, a ranch) during a time of scarcity (or abundance). Going door to door asking for food, each villager claims they have nothing to give (though we all know we have something to offer).
Undeterred, the traveler announces they’ll make “stone soup.” A pot of water goes on the fire in the town square, and in goes a stone. Curious, the villagers gather. When asked how soup can be made from a stone, the traveler replies, “It will be delicious—but even better with a bit of carrot…” One villager offers a carrot, another potatoes, another onions (though we’ll be skipping onions this time!), and so on.
As each person adds a little something, the soup is enriched. In the end, the whole village shares a delicious meal together—realizing that by coming together and contributing what they can, everyone is nourished.
In honor of this story, we’ll be inviting everyone to bring something to add to our own stone soup this Saturday. Come lend a hand and be nourished in more ways than one.
PS: Since our team was smaller than expected, we ended up with a lot of leftover ground turkey from the baked potato bar. Later that evening, after discovering a giant zucchini in the garden, we whipped up a perfect post-ranch dinner of stuffed zucchini boats—a true taste of Windermere's sustainability and abundance. The squash John is holding in the photo will be featured at our upcoming work party.
Photos & Videos!
Enjoy these photos and videos from Windermere Ranch.
Album: July 2025
Community Day Photos
Windermere Ranch Community Day Photo Gallery. Photos by David Sand
New Day Herald
Check out Matt VanFossan's Windermere Community Day Article
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