John Philip Newell Names His Colleague
I am thrilled to be able to name Cami Twilling as my colleague. She will take up her role as Director of Earth & Soul on the 1st of January 2022. It is time for us to move forward with our major teaching initiatives rather than waiting for the pandemic to pass. The vision of Earth & Soul, helping to reawaken the world to the sacredness of the earth and every human being, is too important to be left any longer in standby mode. Cami will play a key role in reimagining the path ahead and enabling new developments. She is being appointed to assist and collaborate with me in the ongoing expression of my work as a wandering teacher and writer. Her appointment is being made possible through the vision and generosity of the Chambers Initiative.
Cami has been centrally involved in the School of Earth & Soul (formerly the School of Celtic Consciousness) since its inception in 2016. She has been a key member of the leadership team in Colorado and has facilitated spiritual practice in our annual retreats as well as the widely appreciated equinox and solstice celebrations. She has led groups to Scotland to be part of our Iona Pilgrimage Weeks, thus combining in her experience the two primary expressions of Earth & Soul, namely the School and Iona Pilgrimage. These belong inseparably together, and she will be part of deepening that interrelationship and enriching the experience of participants.
Many of you have already experienced Cami in these contexts and will know her to be a woman of wisdom, compassion, and deep commitment. She carries peace in her presence and, whether enjoying laughter in community or tears of feeling in situations of sorrow and struggle, she is gifted with a listening and attentive spirit. Cami will help hold together our community and further nurture it in its ongoing life. Whether you are a Friend of Earth & Soul, a Companion of the School, an Iona pilgrim, a member of one of our leadership teams in the US or Canada, or simply someone connecting with us and collaborating in the work of compassionate action in the world, you will find in Cami an extraordinary combination of graciousness and firm attention to detail.
After 22 years as the Director of Contemplative Spirituality and Youth Ministry at Trinity United Methodist Church in Denver, Cami will take most of December to rest and prepare for her new role with Earth & Soul. In January, she will officially join us and give immediate attention to the implementing of the House Gathering initiative which she has been pioneering with a small group this past year and to the further development of livestream teaching opportunities to supplement the work of the School and Iona Pilgrimage. So, watch out and stay tuned. She is coming!
We have been gifted beyond measure these past few years with the voluntary leadership of Dana Cozad as Acting Head of School. In all the uncertainties of this pandemic time, in the disappointing cancellation of many events, and in the early development of livestream teaching, she has been a tireless, faithful, efficient, discerning, wise, and beautiful agent of love for Earth & Soul. Never will I be able sufficiently to express the depth of my gratitude to her for all the time, energy, and wisdom she has brought to this work. Dana typically has generously offered to help transition Cami into the new role and will continue to be part of the School leadership team in North Carolina. We are looking forward to Dana and her husband Dave coming to Iona for our June 2022 Pilgrimage Week so that we can more fully celebrate the gift she has been to Earth & Soul!
With my gratitude to you all and blessings,
John Philip Newell
Edinburgh
5th November 2021