Honour the General OfficeOn Thursday, 5th October, the former General Office and one of the food sheds will be dismantled in preparation for building the new Sanctuary. Thanks to Kathy T. who made us aware of it, we want to take a little moment to honour the role that General Office played in our Community. When I came in the beginning of 1992, the telephone list was less than an A4 sheet long, computers were in the Accounts – and other few important offices. Communications happened via notes on the notice board, the Rainbow Bridge (which was still collated by hand); people still wrote letters then. So the receptionist had a crucial role in making sure communication happened efficiently. It was a busy hub – for residents as well as for guests. And of course, it was held by the Findhorn Foundation as there was no official community structure then.

A lot has changed over the years – more than 20 years ago, the then still very young NFA took on the running of the General Office, re-shaped the lay-out of the building so there was finally an official space for the Listener Conveners and the NFA Accounts and Admin.

A lot of faces pass by my inner eye when I am looking back over the years – so many have shaped who and what and where we are now. A big thank you goes to all of them – the many many people who volunteered their love and time over the years and decades to do the practial hands-on work to build community. And of course – a big thank you goes to the building itself – the first more permanent physical place for the community to land and take roots.

The General Office and the NFA Office are much better placed where they are now – in its still new location opposite the Phoenix Shop. And we are very grateful to the Findhorn Foundation and so many helpers who made it a graceful move. Due to many good reasons and challenges throughout the summer, we were not able to gratefully release the old and celebrate the new – so we are taking this moment in time and invite you to honour this particular aspect of our past – take a moment to give thanks for the roots that were shaped and which help us to build our future

It’s you, it’s me, it’s us who build community!