Thursday, February 25, 2016

Our News Feb 25, 2016

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE!: We are pleased to announce the launch of our “BECOME A MEMBER” Program.  As many of you know, we are a working farm, a spiritual haven, an educational center and a sanctuary.  We are also a non-profit and therefore the support of our guests and the public in general is essential.  Up to now, we have somehow been able to maintain this amazing Project; however sustainable maintenance is required.  This can only occur with sustainable support.  We therefore appeal to all of you to please sign up for our Membership Program.  Most non-profit Farms run such a Program in order to continue to offer the communities they serve the best educational experience - we therefore invite you to “join the family”.  By participating in this Program, you become a member of the Gita Nagari Farm & Sanctuary Family, and it will be our honor to receive you.  You can sign up here: http://www.gitanagari.org/donation/member
SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA SWAMI: This Saturday, February 27, we will celebrate the appearance ofSrila Prabhupada's Guru, Srila Bhaktisiddantha Prabhupada.  We will begin at 10:30 am with a class, puspanjali, kirtan, arati, and a feast at 1pm. Please join us in glorifying "a ray of Visnu" that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur prayed for in furthering the mission that culminated in A C Bhaktivedanta Swamispreading the Bhakti cult all over the world.  Each one of us is the beneficiary of these great acharyas and their compassion for the fallen conditioned souls. 
Adopt a Cow: When you visit Gita Nagari and observe the beautiful cows that have taken shelter here, you realize why Krishna spends so much of His time with the cows.  They are calm and peaceful under circumstances we would wilt under.  Rain, snow, sleet, and scorching heat don't faze them.  Today, as I gaze out the window, I observe their tolerant attitude as they stand in the pouring rain.  Last Sunday, three devotees gathered to assist Dhruva Maharaja das as he brought new straw for them to lay on in there shelters.  The cows even assisted by grabbing mouthfuls of straw and throwing them around the resting spots they made for themselves.  These mystical beings need your help to survive the winter months.  All their food and bedding must be purchased from outside the farm.  The hay that we grew for their maintainance is gone.  Please "adopt a cow" and help us meet their needs.  We are forever greatful for the support many of you have given in the past, and we will cherish your renewed enthusiasm for cow protection.
WORKING FARM RETREAT AT GITA NAGARI
Join us on the weekends at Gita Nagari Farm and Sanctuary where all our activities are based on the principle of compassionate living.  
We have been hosting Working Farm Retreats for the last 6 years on a needs basis.  This year we are pleased to announce our Working Farm Retreat as a fixed offering in the Summer – weekend retreats for you and your family to have a fun, relaxing and educational farm experience.
The Retreat begins on Friday at 6pm with Dinner and Orientation and ends on Sunday at Lunch.
Saturday entails 6 hours of fun time:
  • in the kitchen preparing meals, 
  • in the fields harvesting vegetables, 
  • time with the cows, 
  • cleaning the farm and 
  • much more.   
Then wind down with a late afternoon Yoga Class followed by dinner and some great social time singing and dancing around the campfire.
Sunday starts with early morning outdoor activities followed by breakfast and additional time spent in special Projects at the Farm.  
We wrap up with the facilitated session sharing our "Reflections & Realizations", which is always a heart warming time together.
Lunch is served at 1 pm. Thereafter, retreat attendees check out and head back to their first home as we have become by now their second home.
Please join us on the following weekends:
Please join us on the following weekends:
  • June 3-5
  • June 10-12
  • June 17-19
  • July 8-10
  • July 15-17
Sign up now - we are booking up fast and furiously! Your cost is really low as you are paying with your time and energy so to cover our hosting expenses, we are charging $80 per adult, $50 for ages 5 to 18 and $30 for under 5 years of age.
We look forward to working, serving, and growing together!
Welcome to our Gita Nagari Farm & Sanctuary Family!
The Yatras Indian Pilgrimage