The 24^th Annual “Spirit of Exploration” banquet, presented by Cosolargy International and the Andean Explorers Foundation & Ocean Sailing Club, was held in the Paradise Room of the Atlantis Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada. The dinner came at the end of a week of Convocation lectures and Counsels and conference presentations by both organizations. In attendance were Cosolargists and conference presenters from around the globe.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. a reception was held for board members and presenters joined by all guests at 7:00.

 

At 7:30 table seating took place with AEF & OSC’s vice president, Dr. Gary Robert Buchanan, emceeing events for the evening’s program from the podium.

The event coordinator, Francine Petrovich, began the program with a traditional Lighting of Candles at each table followed by a screening of the 2012 video “Triumphal March: The Spirit of Exploration,” featuring The Foundation Orchestra. Scenes depicted recent excursions by Community members to Japan and South Africa.

The two visits to Japan, in 2011 and 2012, were to the Cosolargy International headquarters inKurume, led by Yukinori Matsushita, and to Shinto and Buddhist shrines of historical and spiritual significance. The trip to Africa took place in October 2011 and included a visit to the Global White Lion Trust in Timbavati and nearby ruins of an ancient civilization known as Great Zimbabwe.

The video march presentation was then followed by the tolling of the ship’s bell in memoriam of Luzmilla Bernales de Ontaneda, Jack Webb, C. Ann Johnson, Eva Walker, and Inge Veith, all past members and supporters of work accomplished by both AEF & OSC and Cosolargy International.

Another video and extended tribute were presented by Dr. Buchanan in memory of longtime AEF & OSC bagpiper Rick James of the Sierra Highlanders Bagpipe Band, followed by pipe selections performed by Morgan Etnyre, also a member of the Highlanders.

During dinner, AEF & OSC president Sean Savoy, assisted by Yukinori Matsushita, presented the South Africa/Zimbabwe 2011 and Japan 2012 reports along with a wonderful video montage.

As has become another tradition at these annual banquets, a traditional Japanese dance and music was offered by Ms. Miyuki Okayama.

The evening’s main musical presentation was by a classical Indian music ensemble led by celebrated performer Chakrapani Singh on the acoustic guitar rather than traditional vina. Mr. Singh played two extended rags for the occasion, both of which were extremely well-received.

At the end of the evening the official award presentations were delivered by Cosolargy International’s president, Gene Savoy Jr.

Those who participated in the excursions to Japan and South Africa were honored — along with all the presenters from the week’s “Conference on the Spiritual State of the World, 2012.” The latter included Dr. Karl Maret, Dr. Jacob Liberman, Dr. Rowena Kryder, Dr. James Oschman, Dr. Stephan Fuelling, Dr. Gary Buchanan, Puran and Susanna Bair, Jim Eaglesmith, and Gene and Sean Savoy.

Sean Savoy concluded the evening’s banquet with closing remarks reminding participants of the mission of both Cosolargy International and AEF & OSC in bringing the Teachings of Light to the world.

 

 

MONDAY–TUESDAY 9/24–25/2012
The 2012 Annual Convocation of Consociates of the International Community of Christ/Cosolargy began on Monday September 24, with, as usual, two days of marathon residence training classes for those Consociates who needed to fulfill these requirements. These were held in the Chapel of the Holy Child.

 

WEDNESDAY 9/26
All Consociates gathered on Wednesday morning at the Chancellery vestibule for registration and orientation and then proceeded to Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary for Counsels Lectures on liturgical theology and liturgical training techniques by the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr. at the Sanctuary’s Monastery Gardens. The weather was inviting, and a refreshment tent had been set up adjacent to the lecture area.

Following Rt. Rev. Savoy’s morning lecture, attendees made their way over to the outdoor refectory for a wonderful luncheon prepared by Convocation Coordinator Francine Petrovich and aides. After a relaxing lunch break, attendees reassembled at the Monastery Gardens for the afternoon lecture and an introduction to some advanced solar techniques.

Following the conclusion of Counsels lectures (around 3 p.m.), an optional tour of the Sanctuary’s newly completed water project was given by the Reverends Ted Staver and Herman Aggenbach, who have coordinated the project over its development over the last several years. The water distribution system that has been installed makes both water and electrical power available at most locations in the Sanctuary Southland, thus allowing for the building of homes for those Consociates who choose to live on the property in the future. The tour lasted about three hours, after which Consociates returned to their homes or hotels. The evening was free for scheduled visits to the Steamboat Hot Springs Spa.

 

THURSDAY–FRIDAY 9/27–28

Thursday morning found Convocation Consociates and members of the public gathering at the Emerald Room of the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa in south Reno for the Third Annual Spiritual State of the World Conference hosted by Cosolargy International. The theme of this year’s conference was the Dawn of the Golden Age of Light: Transformation through Cosmic Solar Intelligence. At 9 a.m. the conference was opened by Master of Ceremonies Francine Petrovich, who gave a welcome and introduced the keynote speaker, world-renowned biophysicist Dr. James Oschman, who gave a multimedia presentation on “Cosmic Thinking and Being.”

The second presentation of the morning was given by the husband-and-wife team of Puran and Susanna Bair, founders of the Institute for Applied Meditation and the University of the Heart. Their theme was the coming times and the culture of the heart. Time was then taken for a lunch break.

After a luncheon in the Napa Bistro on the premises, which the hotel opened just for the conferees’ convenience, the afternoon session began with Dr. Stephan Fuelling’s presentation on synchronicity, intent, and conscious creation. It was followed by Dr. Gary Buchanan’s take on the future of healing, and how his Sonatherapy® and Cosolargy will play a part. The first day’s presentations were concluded with Dr. Jacob Liberman’s presentation, titled “Stop Looking and Start Seeing.” Thus ended the first day of the conference, and the evening was free for spa visits, socializing, reflecting on the day, or whatever one felt moved to do.

Friday morning began at 9 a.m. with Dr. Karl Maret’s multimedia presentation on living in an electric universe. It was, as usual, packed with information and quite fascinatingly presented.

Next came a hands-on presentation by artist Dr. Rowena Kryder, who talked about consciousness aspects of the new Golden Age of Light and gave the participants some exercises to do to help focus consciousness, including the use of a new set of “consciousness cards” that she designed and makes available in book form under the title Soul Fire.

After another pleasant luncheon in the Napa Bistro, the final presentations were delivered by Sean Savoy, who spoke on linking oneself with the New Sun to activate Consciousness; singer/songwriter, storyteller, and native culture enthusiast Jim Eaglesmith, who shared some of his music and chants, including one in Aramaic in which the audience participated, along the theme of “we are one in 2012”; and finally, the concluding presentation by Gene Savoy Jr. on the Golden Age of Light.

On Friday evening, after a break, Consociates had the option (which most took) to attend the annual banquet of the Andean Exploration Foundation and Ocean Sailing Club, held at the Atlantis Hotel’s Paradise Room. The evening included a bagpipe memorial tribute to members who had died; slide presentations of Project X expeditions to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Korea, and Japan; and the awarding of medals of participation and support for foundation members. During the meal, attendees were treated to Indian sarod music and Japanese traditional dance.

 

Saturday 9/29

Saturday was a full day, beginning with Communion Service in the Chapel of the Holy Child at 10 a.m., followed by first- and second-degree ordinations in bishop’s chambers, followed by a reception in the vestibule. Lee Ann Baum, Frank Gadsen, Humberto Garcia, Scott Ripke, and Saeno Tokuaga received first-degree ordination, while John Bowd (who, in his seventies traveled from Australia), was ordained a deacon (second-degree ordination).

Almost right afterward, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., was the annual health fair and open house at Steamboat Hot Springs Healing Center, followed at 6 p.m. by the Pannuches Meal Rite (celebrated every fifty days) held at the Chapel of the Holy Child with a special extended celebration at the Rectory-Abbey on Carmel.

 

Sunday 9/30

 

The day began before dawn with Jubilee Sunrise Divine Service (the “Jubilee” referring to the concluding celebration of the Pannuches rite), a concelebrated service wherein all ordained members were vested. The service was also an interfaith service and held at the Cathedral Church of the Americas, as is customary during Convocation. After the service the Reverend Diana Carragher received third-level ordination (to the presbyterate). The services were followed by a grand breakfast buffet at the open-air Refectory.

At 1 p.m., the annual Spiritual State of the World Conference was concluded back at the Atlantis Hotel with a roundtable discussion with the conference presenters and invited guests, after which a brief closing reception was held. Thus ended another successful, inspiring Convocation and World Conference marking the auspicious year of 2012.

 

submitted by Robert Anderson