The pictures in this message are from the “Be the Light” Solstice event that Semilla put on at the Westwood Nature Westwood Hills Nature Center. It was in the middle of our bitter cold spell, but look at these wonderful creations of light, shape and color made by artists Alison Heimstead, Duane Tougas, Mary Jo Nikolai, Martin Dosh, directed by Bart Buch with support from Seth Eberle, and Aaron Rubenstein!

Don’t they call you out of yourself into a world of promise, mystery and delight? Isn’t that what we hope for in the new year—and every year—a world of promise and delight for all, with mystery enough to keep us searching and creating?

2022 was a year of exploration and expansion, as we began to emerge from the pandemic. We hosted workshops, performances and other gatherings. Our youth painted a new mural and led a beautiful issue of The Phoenix of Phillips, which is now available throughout the neighborhood.

More de-light-ful things are in the works for 2023! Thanks for being a part of that!