ORGANIZATION
HSC History
The Helfenstein Soup Council....began with a handful of people in Green Bay, Wisconsin, meeting in a tepee, influenced by the Rainbow family of Living Light, Citizens for a Better Environment, the Lake Michigan Federation, Beyond War and a strong friendship for each other.
The idea to incorporate had to do with forming a Soy food Co-op, applying for community land grants and networking with other like minded organizations. A Board of Directors and bylaws were established, and with that came a membership which we passed on as a fable of the stone soup which continues today. It is the belief that we are all better off when the community works together.
Major activities have been the Justice Day Rally and Teach-in, the In the Light cable educational Show and the Soy food co-op. Today the educational aspect is at monthly themed meetings, a garden co-op has been formed, and the rally is now a Peace and Justice festival. We continue to give an Environmental Hero award each year, and this year we plan to have a Earth Day celebration. A new award will be given this year called the OWL, to honor the founder of the H. S. C., Jim Olmsted. On going have been the monthly meeting at the first Sunday of the month which is run on a consensus agenda and ends with a potluck meal. A newsletter which is free to our open membership and sent out quarterly.
We do have a bank account, a board of directors and accept donations: all activities are free and are done by volunteer helpers. This website that has been created may be one of our most challenging projects. We do believe in using every tool to help us in reaching out and spreading the message that everyone counts, and that together we are able to do big things for our community, the Mother Earth and for each other
Once upon a time, a dreamer was asked for Earth Day to speak to a group of children at their High school. Let me tell you about "The Helpingstone Soup Family story", and maybe it will be helpful for you to understand the greatest problem that is being faced by "Our Mother Earth" is from her children.
It was not at all uncommon for a group of men to hangout and talk about problems in a tepee that was setup the the edge of a Green Bay park where a young couple lived with a daughter, and allowed a friend to stay in the tepee. On Sundays they would come together to speak about dreams and how they could make a difference for the future, the environment, the children, and how to create peaceful, social justice in our community. One morning the mother and daughter joined these men, and suggested that all we need is to be a spiritual family that will work in harmony, so let us look at the wisdom which has come down to us and try to form our group on those noble ideals; and this became the agreed goal from that day on.
Now "Once upon a time" a young person found himself/herself lost in the world seeking food to share with friends and came to the "river crossing", that now seemed too deep for swimming and had no way for getting to the other side. "OHhh, what to do? Tell me great creator-God, why have you brought me to this place? I must offer a blessing of thankfulness and accept the wisdom of the earth, remembering that in each breath life is in all things, if I am respectful then nature will be my guide and my path will be shown to me". As the night approached the water had lowered and a pool of fish could be seen on the stones; and now a way across the river could be taken and food for the community would be shared by all.
When the young person got home a "party" of friends listened to the story of the stone crossing and a fine soup was prepared. As a family they all celebrated in this wonderful knowledge "that each person can make a difference and that together dreams do come true".
I asked the students to consider that the human population was the cause of many problems, and that they might take the path of this "stone soup story" to heart when they think about making plans for the future. To ask is it possible to be a part of such a family, and to celebrate in that shared spiritual community, and to trust "God" the creator will show us our path home?
This is the Helfenstein Soup Council, family real life journey example and that the hope of our group is for any one who is lost in this world will join with us in our search for those "noble tepee thoughts", which still guide us in the dream to create that rainbow vision of family.
by PeaceOwl, namaste.....
The Helfenstein Soup Council....began with a handful of people in Green Bay, Wisconsin, meeting in a tepee, influenced by the Rainbow family of Living Light, Citizens for a Better Environment, the Lake Michigan Federation, Beyond War and a strong friendship for each other.
The idea to incorporate had to do with forming a Soy food Co-op, applying for community land grants and networking with other like minded organizations. A Board of Directors and bylaws were established, and with that came a membership which we passed on as a fable of the stone soup which continues today. It is the belief that we are all better off when the community works together.
Major activities have been the Justice Day Rally and Teach-in, the In the Light cable educational Show and the Soy food co-op. Today the educational aspect is at monthly themed meetings, a garden co-op has been formed, and the rally is now a Peace and Justice festival. We continue to give an Environmental Hero award each year, and this year we plan to have a Earth Day celebration. A new award will be given this year called the OWL, to honor the founder of the H. S. C., Jim Olmsted. On going have been the monthly meeting at the first Sunday of the month which is run on a consensus agenda and ends with a potluck meal. A newsletter which is free to our open membership and sent out quarterly.
We do have a bank account, a board of directors and accept donations: all activities are free and are done by volunteer helpers. This website that has been created may be one of our most challenging projects. We do believe in using every tool to help us in reaching out and spreading the message that everyone counts, and that together we are able to do big things for our community, the Mother Earth and for each other. Jim Olmsted
IN THE LIGHT
by Jim Olmsted
May Vision come from inner sight.
As if in a dream I had last night.
Calling for the Earth's Rainbow Children to unite.
We are one in the Creator's light.
Let us live in peace, giving up the fight.
Be joyful, brothers/sisters joining together with the dance of delight.
Caring for the Planet In The Light
Helping with the children In The Light
Protecting and standing tall In The Light
Joining together raising our voices In The Light
Sharing our love and faith In The Light
Coming together in Rainbow harmony In The Light
Healing one another and Mother Earth In The Light
Raising a joyful song for peace In The Light
We are all one
Peace Owl
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our history