Moon Weekend Ceremony Schedule for 2023
Four Quarters is an Interfaith Sanctuary of earth-based religion - a church whose spirituality is shaped by its members and volunteers. We welcome all earth-based spiritualities and sacred expressions of the spiritual. We hold regular spiritual observances that are free and open to all called Moon Services in recognition of that most basic natural cycle, which are held on the Saturday closest to the Full or New Moons.
Our Moon Services are the core of our egalitarian approach to spiritual community, where volunteers prepare and serve our Saturday Evening Church Supper and lead us in ritual. By signing up to lead a service and inviting others to help, we grow in our own spirituality, contribute to the diversity of beliefs that make Four Quarters an interfaith organization, and build relationships with each other and the Land. This practice of open leadership has been our tradition for over twenty-five years of of Church Services.
The Misa Espiritual or Spiritist Mass is an Afro-Caribbean ceremony of prayer and song devoted to communion and communication with our departed ancestors. Trance mediums serve as facilitators bringing messages from the dead for the celebrants. All are welcome. White head coverings are strongly suggested. Our Misa's are held the Friday evening of Church Service weekends.
We invite YOU to bring your own traditions to a church service at Four Quarters! Cook, offer ritual, or do both!
It’s a great way to meet people and get involved! There are no pre-requisites or requirements for the type of Service; all volunteers are welcomed; help is available to any who ask! Just send an e-mail to the 4QF Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 814-784-3080. If you have any questions, reach out to the Moon Service Volunteer Coordinator Carrie Krystek at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Church Services and Suppers are free to all; donations welcomed.
* Please note that some Moon Services require event registration.
Omnivore and vegetarian options will be served. Please contact the office for any special dietary needs.
♦ Misa Espirituals will be held on Friday nights of Moon Service weekends at 7:00 pm in the Loft. ♦
Sleepover space is available, call us.
Pamela Alexander, In Service.
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And starting on July 15:
The Elements Of Ceremony
A Class on the Basics of Crafting Psycho-Emotive Ritual
This one hour long class will meet on Moon Service weekends in the Church Office. It is open to all , and sequential attendance is not required. This class is not intended to offer initiation or degrees in any tradition, and is open to people of all faiths who want to deepen their skills and understanding of the mechanics and art of crafting meaningful ceremony.
Classes will range in topic from the very practical skills of voice projection and diction to the more esoteric subjects such as ritual language, posture, and the power of gesture. Classes will be focused on practical skill-building, and will be hands-on learning experiences.
If you want to learn to write ritual, or improve your ceremonial skills, come join us in the Church Office at 1:30 pm and we'll stir up some magic!
2023
February 4, 2023: Full Moon Service
This Full Moon is ruled by Leo and consequently ruled by creativity and the heart. Join us in celebrating the art of expression as we tune in to our connection with spirit.
Ritual at 4:30pm in the Loft, Dinner to follow at 6pm.
In Service: Holland Hook
Kitchen Service: Carrie Krystek
March 4, 2023: Full Moon Service: Hope Is A Thing With Feathers
Join us for a Full Moon Service based in an eclectic Wiccan tradition, as we explore the Mystery of hope in the Human Heart.
Dinner at 6pm in Farmhouse; Ritual at 7:30pm in the Loft.
In Service: Michel Lehmuller & Pamela Alexander
Kitchen Service: Dharma and Pam
April 8, 2023: Full Moon Service
Join us as together we Make a Joyful Noise! Songs and prayers in celebration of the Holy Divine, however you experience Divinity.
Dinner at 5:30 pm; ritual starts at 7pm in the Loft.
In Service: Pati' Middleton
Kitchen Service: Pati' Middleton
May 6, 2023: Full Moon Service
Takes Place During Beltaine 2023 - event registration required
In Service: Four Quarters Ceremonial Team
June 3, 2023: Full Moon Service
Join us to celebrate the Moon Service...during the day! We will be embracing the start of summer and the full berry moon.
We revel in the fruits of our labors and turn towards the sun for guidance as he grows in power towards the solstice.
In Service: Ashley Kremsner
Kitchen Service: Ashley Kremsner and Holland Hook
A weekend full of Ceremony and Celebration!
Friday July 14:
- Misa Espiritual at 7pm at the Loft
Saturday July 15:
- Elements of Ceremony Class at 1:30pm at the Church Office
- New Moon Service: Embracing the Warrior, Denouncing The War
We are nothing if not the sum of our contradictions. This Wiccan ceremony will both honor our Warriors, who have made the ultimate commitment to defend and protect our religious rights and freedoms, and to pray, at the same time, for a true and lasting peace. This ceremony will be participative, and you are welcome to bring a chair.
Church Supper: 6pm Dining Pavilion; Ceremony: Stone Circle 8 pm
In Service & Kitchen: Pam Alexander & Michel Lehmuller
A weekend full of Ceremony and Celebrating the Harvest!
Friday August 4:
- Misa Espiritual at 7pm at the Loft
Saturday August 5:
- Elements of Ceremony Class at 1:30pm at the Church Office
- Church Supper: 6pm in Farmhouse
- Full Moon Service: 8pm in Stone Circle
Celebrate the First Harvest: Gather as a Community to Reap the Intentions Sown this Spring. Bring something from your garden to add to the altar!
In Service: Beth Thomas
Kitchen Service: Beth Thomas: Menu: Zucchini boats with/without sausage, salad, harvest bread.
A weekend full of Ceremony, Sweat Lodge, and Celebration!
Friday September 15:
- Misa Espiritual at 7pm at the Loft
Join us for a very special Misa hosted by Madrina Fanny Tromp, Ochun Kayode.
This Misa will be more traditional Espiritismo, less "Interfaith" than our usual offering, and will offer all of us a chance to grow and expand our skills at praying to and accessing our connection to ancestors (Eggun) and our unique talents as mediums.
- Fall Community Sweat Weekend: Evening Lodge
Saturday September 16:
- Fall Community Sweat Weekend: Practicum
- Note: there will not be an "Elements of Ceremony" class on this day.
- New time for New Moon Service: 1pm: Tambor Obatala! It’s Obatala's Birthday!
Hosted by Pamela Alexander, Eguin Collarde, and Madrina Fanny Tromp, Ochun Kayode
Join us for a Very Special September Moon Service as we celebrate the birthday of Obatala with a traditional Cuban Tambor (Drum Party) featuring the Sacred Bata Drums of Santeria!
It will be a day dedicated to dancing, singing, and the joyous celebration of community that the Lucumi faith is famous for! Come expecting to be made welcome by traditional Priests (Babal'awos and Santeros) and Priestesses (Santeras and Apetebis) and to learn a living tradition by participating and learning. This will be a day celebrating the beauty and wonder of the Orisha and the Lucumi (Santeria) tradition. Expect to find yourself eating delicious foods, meeting interesting new people from a very old tradition, dancing to compelling rhythms, and eating a piece of an Orisha's birthday cake!
The Bata Drums are the Sacred instruments of Cuban Santeria.* The complex poly rhythms of the three drums are the medium by which the Orisha, the very Gods themselves may choose to descend and possess the prepared heads of dedicated priestesses and priests.
Obatala, the Chief of the White Cloth is the Orisha responsible for the sculpting of humankind. He rules cool-headedness, purity, wisdom, and light. Obatala's color is white. His number is 8, and his animal is the elephant. He dwells upon the high Mountain, and he is most often depicted as a kindly, white-haired wise old man.
Celebrants are encouraged to wear white, but it is not required. Modest dress is, however, required.
Traditionally, gifts of fruit or white flowers are brought to the Orisha to celebrate His birthday, and small monetary gifts are a polite way to salute the Bataleros as they play. (If you wish to salute the Bataleros in this way, just ask any of the Santeras or Santeros present, and we will be happy to help you!)
*The Bata drums are a religious presentation, and it is not permissible or appropriate to drum with them, please leave your drums at home. Maferefun, Obatala!
Our menu includes Traditional Cuban Dishes that are Obatala's favorite White Foods.
Don't worry, Cuban food is NOT HOT! It is savory, but hot sauce is served as a condiment, and not added to the food.
Coconut Rice - Creamy, dreamy, delicious white rice with coconut and coconut milk. (Vegetarian, Gluten free)
White Rice - Because some folks simply can't stand coconut. (Vegetarian, Gluten Free)
White Beans, Cuban Style - Simply seasoned with fresh herbs and veggies, simmered all day. (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)
Arroz con Pollo - Classic Caribbean chicken and rice with fresh veggies and traditional seasonings. (Gluten Free)
Yucca Root with Garlic Sauce - Boiled and served with a sauce of garlic and olive oil. Taste/texture similiar to potato. (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)
White Cheese and Guava Empanadas - A delicious deep-fried little hand pie, stuffed with sweet guava and gooey cheese. (Vegetarian)
Creamy White Obatala Punch - Flavored with Almonds and sweet cream, not traditional; Pam's own "gift from the kitchen."
Obatala Cake - Sweet almond cake with almond buttercream and fondant. Locally made.
Flourless White Chocolate Cake - A Gluten-Free Dessert by a first time GF baker.
Plus: Sodas, Iced Tea, and Lemonade.
Please, no alcohol.
RSVP to Office 814-784-3080 email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your dietary preferences, if possible.
Available dietary options are: Vegetarian, Omni, Limited Vegan options, Dairy Free, and Gluten Free.
Some food sensitivities can be accommodated with advance notice.
Note: Takes Place During Fall Community Sweat Weekend – Weekend Registration is NOT required to attend Moon Service.
September 30, 2023: Full Moon Service
Note: Takes Place During Lil’ Dub 2023 - event registration required
In Service: Four Quarters Ceremonial Team
A weekend full of Ceremony, Celebration, and Arts of the Target!
Friday October 13:
- Misa Espiritual at 7pm at the Loft
Saturday October 14:
- Schutzenfest: Celebrating the Arts of the Target: mid-morning to early afternoon
- Elements of Ceremony Class at 1:30pm at the Church Office
- Church Supper: 6pm in Farmhouse
- New Moon Service: details to follow...
In Service: Kurt Griffith
Kitchen Service: To be Determined
A weekend full of Ceremony, Celebration, and Gratitude!
Friday November 10:
- Misa Espiritual at 7pm at the Loft
Saturday, November 11:
- Elements of Ceremony Class at 1:30pm at the Church Office
- Church Supper: 5pm in Farmhouse
- New Moon Service: details to follow...
In Service: Mary Murphy and Claire German
Kitchen Service: Mary Murphy and Claire German
A weekend full of Ceremony, Celebration, and it's Solstich!
Friday December 8:
- Misa Espiritual at 7pm at the Loft
Saturday December 9:
- Elements of Ceremony Class at 1:30pm at the Church Office
- Church Supper: 5pm in Farmhouse
- New Moon Service: It's Solstish Time! Celebrate the Start of Winter!
The Wheel has turned and we once again settle down by the hearthfire to share the warmth of fellowship. Join us as we lift a cup to toast the start of the Long Sleep of Winter!
In Service: Carrie Krystek
Kitchen Service: Pamela Alexander
For Information or to Volunteer send an e-mail to the 4QF Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at 814-784-3080. If you have any questions, reach out to the Moon Service Volunteer Coordinator Carrie Krystek at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
RSVP to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a room/bunk/sleeping space. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 814-784-3080.
Omnivore and vegetarian options will be served for Church Suppers. Please contact the office for any special dietary needs.