In Love lives the seed of Truth,

In Truth seek the root of Love:

Thus speaks thy higher Self.

The fire’s glow transmutes

Wood into warming rays.

Wisdom’s resolving Will

Changes the outer work

Into abiding strength.

So let thy work be the shadow

Cast by thine I

When it is lit by the flame -

Flame of thy higher Self.

From one of Rudolf Steiner’s notebooks, 1902

NEWSLETTER CONTENTS

• 2026 Branch Sponsored Calendar of Events

• 2026 Annual Gathering - Big News!

• Biodynamic Stir

• Community Bulletin Board - Clothing need spiffing up?

• Library News

• Other Community Events

• Requirements for Newsletter Submissions

• On-going study/groups/meetings

• Advertisers and Sponsors

PORTLAND BRANCH 2026 CALENDAR OF EVENTS  

Save These Dates!

• Portland Branch Annual Gathering, March 21st

• Easter Festival, Saturday, April 4th

• Astrid Schmitt Stegmann, May 15th & 16th

• Pentecost Celebration, May 24th

• St. John’s Day, June 24th

• Michaelmas Festival, September 26th

• All Souls Observance, November 2nd

• First Sunday Advent Tea

• Holy Nights

  • Grind Three Kings Biodynamic Prep, Dec. 31st

  • Epiphany Stir & Spread of Three Kings Prep, Jan 6th

We have been coming together as a community for a formal annual gathering every year since we gained our nonprofit status, in April of 2003. These gatherings have been, among other things, opportunities for reflection on the activities of the previous year, and incubators for new initiatives.  We have sometimes had speakers – Astrid Schmitt-Stegmann being one example – or a special focus, like the Foundation Stone or Rudolf Steiner’s 100th  year anniversaries.

This year we are asking for the attendance of every member of the community.  Big changes are afoot.

• This week St. Mark’s church let us know that they are putting the building up for sale, and expect all to close by the end of 2027.  They considerately gave us advance warning, so it will be helpful if we come together now to consider our options..

• With the retirement of some Council members there is a need to redistribute tasks, and we hope that some of you will have the talent, experience, and/or enthusiasm to take up smaller or larger pieces of the picture that contribute to our healthy community life.  In addition, we are looking for ideas for how to reorganize ourselves in that direction.

• The usual reporting will take up a smaller part of the gathering.  We will focus most of our time (with snacks) on work-shopping  ideas at tables in small groups.  

A more detailed agenda will follow shortly.  Please click the button below to let us know if you intend attend.  

You are invited!

The Portland Stirrers and Spreaders will now be offering a biodynamic stir event on the last Saturday of every month. We hope you can join us. Please contact Denise for further details at deeprootsfarm@harbornet.com. Start time will vary month to month. Fair weather unless otherwise noted.

“MENDING AND REPAIR” I have a broad and growing experience with mending and repair.  I will consider taking on just about any thing within manageable means. I call it a “rescue mission” in a thread bare world. Compensation negotiable.

Call Christine Badura 707-494-6741

Thank you for your membership! Here are our current members.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS

to our

ARTIST’S CORNER!

We invite you to contribute a photograph of your art in any modality you work with. This includes photography, watercolors, oils, pastels, ink, collage, sculpture, crafts, or any expression not listed.

Please contact Pablo Feliz at felizpablo@gmail.com

Steiner Books Study Group Ideas and Book Discounts

Multiples of Some Books Available at the Branch Library

When a group of people join together to study a particular book and wish to purchase that book in quantities of five copies or more, Steiner Books will give a 20% discount for that order. You must purchase five copies or more of a single title, and payment in advance is required. Order using the offer code STUDY at checkout.

In addition, the Branch Library has multiple copies of some books, which you can look up on the searchable catalog on our website here: https://portlandbranch.net/community-library-1/ 

Steiner books also has suggestions for how to organize study group discussions here:  https://steinerbooks.org/pages/study-group-guidelines?_pos=7&_sid=1fa05784a&_ss=r

If you have outstanding books please complete the process by returning them when you are finished.  

They can be returned 24/7 to the book box located

on the porch at 2606 SE 58th Ave. Portland, Or.

Books can be checked out during all our events.

For more information you can call Valerie Hope at 503-775-0778

Excerpts from The Soul’s Probation

Coming to Portland on March 28^th

On March 28^th The School for Anthroposophy Mystery Drama Group from Port Hadlock, Washington, will again be bringing excerpts from a mystery drama to Portland.  This time the group will be bringing excerpts from The Soul’s Probation, Steiner’s sequel play to The Portal of Initiation.  This performance will also feature actors from the Portland Mystery Drama group!  An introductory lecture to the play will be given by David Axelrod at 11:30 at Cedarwood (for those unfamiliar with the plays an introductory lecture is very helpful).  The play is truly for those with a passion for anthroposophy, and all others with an interest in the soul life of the human being.  The stage becomes, in the mystery dramas, the field on which the soul and spiritual world themselves become visible.

The play will begin at 2:00 on the 28^th at The Cedarwood Waldorf School (3030 SW 2nd Ave, Portland).  Tickets are $40 and are available at the door or through The Micha-el Institute or David Axelrod (financial assistance available for those in need, contact the Institute).  Admission to the lecture is part of the ticket for the play.  Play run time is approximately three hours plus an intermission.  A discussion and sharing at 7:00 will follow the play (and an after-play dinner break). For tickets and information contact The Micha-el Institute at inquiry@micha-elinstitute.com, or David Axelrod at d.axelrod@hotmail.com or 360-379-4859 (landline). 

This performance is part of The Micha-el Institute’s Spring Conference: Karma, Reincarnation, and Personal Development.  A weekend of lectures and workshops.  To register for the whole conference go to micha-elinstitute.com.

We look forward to seeing at the show. 

There will be an Art Dispersal April 9, 2026 at the Art Hall at Cedarwood Waldorf School where this series will be available at the Art Dispersal. An Art Dispersal is a way of bringing original art into your home, office, or school for a donation of your choosing. This distribution of art was established by Laura Summer bringing art out of the economic sphere and into the cultural sphere where it belongs. At the Dispersal April 9, if a painting speaks to you, enjoy it in your home. Then you may donate to the cause with what meets your individual musing. Sometimes a person may have difficulty coming up with what they can give but, believe me, it is about getting the work out into the world where it can do its work not the amount you choose. A portion of the donation will go to the Art Hall, a percentage towards the framing cost, and a percentage to the artist.

I have been involved with Art Dispersals, over the years in Atlanta, New Orleans, Santa Fe, Hudson NY and Portland.