The First Annual Lake Logan Earth/Spirit Gathering, an effort to “understand the interconnectedness and interdependcy of creation,” will be May 31-June 2. Waynesville educator/philosopher, Dave Guerin, one of the driving forces behind the gathering, said it was designed as a culminating experience for the Philosophy Phun & Phellowship (PH3) group. According to Guerin, PH3 is modeled loosely on the Twilight Club founded in the late 19th century by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain and other influential thinkers of the era. PH3, however, is a little more egalitarian and open to the public.

Guerin said the Earth/Spirit Gathering will be an extension and elaboration of issues and ideals discussed at the PH3 forums.

“It is an effort to understand the interconnectedness and the interdependency of creation,” Guerin said.

“We know that we are a part of nature. We not only know it intellectually, but we are coming to know it spiritually. We intuit it.”

Lake Logan offered the perfect venue for the gathering, Guerin said. Lake Logan was rescued from the Champion International chopping block a couple of years ago through the “Save Lake Logan” campaign spearheaded by local Haywood County sportsmen. That campaign resulted in Lake Logan and about 300 surrounding acres being purchased by a consortium including the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, the Boy Scouts and the Western Diocese of the Episcopal Church. The Earth/Spirit Gathering will be the first major event at Lake Logan since the Episcopal Church took possession of the former Champion retreat.

“We’re taking advantage of this exquisitely beautiful place for a chance to relate to nature and relate to one another,” Guerin said.

The Gathering, sponsored by PH3 and the Intentional Growth Center at Lake Junaluska, is designed to bring different energies and different disciplines together in the presence of nature to celebrate a common spirituality.

“We’re all connected. And we’re all connected to the earth. It’s an easy thing to say, intellectually. But we’re in a crisis of perception. We don’t see the connection — we don’t feel it. And we’re suffering the consequences,” Guerin said.

“This is a time of great change and a time of great choice,” said Rev. Bill Bailey of Asheville, a retired ecumenical minister and one of the keynote speakers.

“People are becoming much more aware of environmental concerns. We are told, even here in the mountains, that there are days when it’s unhealthy to go outside. All people breathe the same air and drink the same water. We need to make sure what we have is sustainable. We need a new relationship with the earth.”

Bailey said he will talk about that relationship during his presentation. He will talk about the new kinship among the spiritual, environmental and scientific communities.

Bob Caldwell, WLOS TV meteorologist and noted naturalist, will be another keynote speaker. Caldwell said he will talk about building a spiritual relationship with nature.

“It doesn’t matter what kind of day you’ve had — the stress, the frustration. All you have to do is get outside and that changes immediately. The pulse slows immediately. It’s inherent. It happens naturally.

“I’m not a speaker, preacher or anything like that. I just try to be one with nature and relate that,” Caldwell said.

There will be programs and panel discussions but the three days are also full of entertainment and activities. Kay Bigay, daughter of Hawk Littlejohn, will present a special Native American invocation.

Jazz saxophonist Frank Southecorvo and dancer Dana Davis will each create an original composition inspired by the Lake Logan setting. Other musicians like Don Pedi (lap dulcimer,) Joe Roberts (wooden marimba) and Native American flutist, Kay Bigay will perform. The PH3 band will play fireside music. There will be guided hikes Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Panel discussions will be led by panelists Dave Guerin, Dr. Richard Fireman of the Sierra Club, Jeanne Ringe, founder of the Human Dimension Institute, Dr. John Fobes, former deputy director of UNESCO, and others.

According to Guerin, the all-inclusive weekend with three different fee options is a bargain. Attendance will be limited to 200 people.