Many of you have contributed to the Haitian Relief efforts over the past months. The congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom, sponsors of Wisdom House, lost six sisters in the earthquake and the school for deaf and blind children was destroyed. A temporary school has been constructed with tents and the students are able to come together for their education. See photos here.

If you wish to contribute toward these restoration efforts, you may send your donation payable to Daughters of Wisdom - Haiti to either of these addresses: Daughters of Wisdom / Development, 385 Ocean Ave., Islip, NY 11751 or to Wisdom House - Haiti, 229 E. Litchfield Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759. Your gift will make a difference in the present and future lives of these children. Thank you.

Sound and Music Alliance Plans for the Future

Melinda Gardiner, pictured here, is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sound and Music Alliance (SAMA). The Board and nearly 90 participants met at Wisdom House in April to set future directions for the organization. The organization's mission follows.

SAMA is a professional association dedicated to the use of the transformative power of sound and music throughout the full spectrum of life cycles.

SAMA affirms the diversity of disciplines that utilize sound and music and advocates its use in health, education, research, technology, science, and the holistic arts. SAMA promotes the professional development and welfare of its members. SAMA upholds a code of ethics applicable to its membership. SAMA advances harmonious collegial relationships, ethical behaviors, and professional competencies.

SAMA acknowledges the timeless bond between sound and life, and honors the indigenous, traditional, historic, scientific, and aesthetic wisdom from which sound and music methods, practices, and knowledge evolve.

SAMA recognizes reputable and responsible sound and music disciplines, educational programs, practitioners, and products. SAMA affirms the value of both qualitative and quantitative research. SAMA serves its members, the public, institutions, employers, and policy makers through its support of excellence in education, practice and research. ( See www.SoundAndMusicAlliance.org )

Melinda Gardiner, RN, CMP is also the Executive Director of the Music for Healing and Transition Program, Inc. (www.mhtp.org ).

Rich Answers: Sister of St. Joseph Theresa Fonti Discusses the Ministry of The House of Bread, Hartford

Sister of Saint Joseph Theresa Fonti (r) was interviewed by Sr. Jo-Ann Iannotti about the sevices of the ministry of The House of Bread in Hartford. The interview will be part of the program, "Rich Answers" which airs on WRCH 100.5 FM on Sunday morning from 5:30 am - 6:30 am. Sr. Jo-Ann is the Wisdom Correspondent for The Conference of Churches which sponsors this weekly program. The interviews with Sr. Theresa will be aired on Sunday, April 25 and Sunday, May 2.

In Celebration of Earth Day 2010

The story of the universe is now being told as the epic story of evolution by scientists. We begin to understand our human identity with all the other modes of existence that constitute with us the single universe community.

The one story includes us all. We are, everyone, cousins to one another. Every being is intimately present to and immediately influencing every other being. We see quite clearly what happens to the nonhuman happens to the human. What happens to the outer world happens to the inner world. If the outer world is diminished in its grandeur then the emotional, imaginative, intellectual, and spiritual life of the human is diminished or extinguished. Without the soaring birds, the great forests, the sounds and coloration of the insects, the free-flowing streams, the flowering fields, the sight of the clouds by day and the stars at night, we become impoverished in all that makes us human. (Thomas Berry, The Great Work, 2000)

Art & Spirituality Forum: 'The Artist: Shaman or Showman'