View in browser
Can you hear the beat of the drum and feel your pulse quicken as you remember what it feels like to be together?

Dearest Fireflies,

Like so many things in our lives this spring, The Firefly Gathering 2020, scheduled for early June, has also been canceled. This has deeply saddened our entire staff and extended community, who have come to enjoy Firefly as a kind of family reunion.

We’ve experienced so  many exciting changes this last year: many new faces on our staff; working to become a nonprofit; identifying areas of growth to focus on; our beautiful new venue, and even a new director! The Firefly Gathering, as an entity, has been going through its own transformational process of death and rebirth over the years. As the seasons changed and we began getting closer to summer, we were ready to blossom and bloom and show our brightness and colors at this year's gathering.

Enter COVID-19. We have done our best to stay up-to-date on information and be proactive in our actions.  It was a very difficult decision to make to cancel our gathering in terms of spirit and also very difficult to navigate financially.  

They say that every dark and stormy cloud has a silver lining. If this situation has shown us anything, it is that what The Firefly Gathering teaches and stands for is now more important and relevant than ever before. We must not only be conscious of the changes in our ever expanding universe, but we must exercise the most basic lesson that lies at the core of every earthskill: adaptability.  And so we will evolve to meet the ever changing needs of the unfolding reality around us.  

We don't know exactly what that will look like this year, as we don't yet know when our lives will return to “normal.” We do know that the previous concept of normal wasn't working for much of life on this planet, and so we embrace this opportunity for change. Change in how we relate to one another; how we earn our livelihoods; how we obtain our food; how we raise our children; how we spend our days and moments. This is where we get to live out our mission statement. 

And as an organization, this means changing how we share the core values that Firefly has come to stand for.  We don't yet know exactly how this will unfold, but will include: seasonal Earthskills classes & workshops outside the main event, Firefly Gathering fundraisers, community outreach, local activism, and many opportunities to see and be with our loving community throughout the year.  We're also exploring online opportunities, zines, and more. In this time of isolation, we must stay connected. 

We understand that everyone is being affected by this global experience, and we want our entire community to see how we navigate financially; therefore you can view our financial statements HERE to see that Firefly truly does need your support now more than ever.  

DETAILS FOR TICKET HOLDERS TO FIREFLY 2020:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Firefly Gathering is not able to process refunds at this time. We realize that this is a break from our typical refund policy, and we appreciate your understanding, support and cooperation as we navigate these uncharted waters. All tickets, vehicle camping and parking fees will automatically transfer to The Firefly Gathering 2021 (dates TBA, mid-June is our goal).  If this does not work for you, we have 2 other options: 

  1. Receive credit for a future event per our credit policy (Note: All standard fees will be waived). Your Firefly credit will be valid for 2 years and can be transferred to another person. Email your credit request to: info@fireflygathering.org.
  2. Make your ticket into a tax-deductible donation. The loss of the Firefly Gathering’s main event will have a tremendous financial impact on the organization as a whole. This year, donations will be essential in ensuring the long term sustainability of our organization.  All donations will be tax deductible. HERE is where you can make a tax deductible donation.

Again, for those that have already registered for the 2020 Firefly Gathering, your registration is automatically rolled over and held for the 2021 Gathering; you don’t need to do anything. There is almost never a single solution to any circumstance that can fully embrace and lend itself to meet the needs of all. We understand that these are hard times for everyone. We deeply appreciate all of you who can make an investment in the future of Firefly. If the above options don't work for you, please contact us at info@fireflygathering.org to try and work out a solution.  

To all the returning Fireflies: We will miss your glow and presence in June.  

To all the new Fireflies:  We hope that our meeting isn't postponed for too long.

And, to all those who help make the Firefly Gathering not only possible but the beautiful entity that it is: We look forward to sitting around a fire with you soon. In the meantime, keep on shining!

Firefly Gathering

PO Box 18758, Asheville, NC 28814

 United States

You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us.

Unsubscribe