These are the activities currently happening or beginning in 2026 open to all neighbors seeking to uplift themselves and our community.

Our next neighborhood circle to determine participation for the 2026 growing season will be held on Saturday, April 4 at 10:00 a.m.

Daily – Silent Sitting Meditation

7:00 – 8:00 PM 

A simple period of quiet stillness is open to anyone in the community. Like a wild horse, the mind can be destructive if not trained, but offers stability when disciplined. So we sit together in silence daily on the residence side in the library to practice calm, upright sitting while training our attention on the breath.

Simply knock at the East (Residence) door.  No experience required. Basic sitting instruction is available here but no need to prep, we talk through it when new friends come. 

Saturdays – Drop-In Community Garden

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
April through October

Neighbors are invited to join us to help plant, weed, harvest, preserve, or simply learn about growing food together. This is a relaxed, hands-on time where people of all ages can participate in whatever phase we are working on.  If weather is poor, we’ll be working on sanctuary projects or in the downstairs greenhouse!  If things look quiet, please knock on the East residence door by the fence. 

Friday Movie Nights – Sanctuary Theater

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
April through October

On Fridays we lift the silence in the sanctuary as neighbors are invited to bring themselves and anyone in the family to a Friday nights movie to sit with others and enjoy something uplifting in a peaceful, beautiful place.  We screen uplifting and inspiring films appropriate for the space.

Right now we are working through the five-season series The Chosen. There’s no need to see episodes in order. This is a truly interdenominational creative work spanning the ministry years of Jesus Christ, whose universal teaching of compassion, non-judgment, and fearless forgiveness sits at the intersection of all the human wisdom traditions. 

As Easter Season is on us, consider relaxing with your neighbors and some Jesus stories on Friday nights (with very low social pressure).

Wednesdays & Saturdays – Youth Karate & Focus Training

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Wednesdays
10:00 AM – 11:30 PM Saturdays

The Sanctuary houses the family dojo of our local, Kenton-based karate instructor Brent Addenbrooke, who leads youth martial arts training and co-anchors the nightly quiet sitting with BJ Heugly, LCSW. 

BJ in turn offers stillness and self-regulation training to Sensei Brent’s students in short periods of quiet sitting to build concentration and self-discipline. Learn more about Family Karate at Ohio’s Forest Sanctuary here.

Sunday Open Organ & Sanctuary

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
April through October

Beginning Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, the sanctuary will open each Sunday at noon for quiet sitting and for anyone wanting to enjoy the stained glass windows and a moment of communion. Musicians desiring to play the historic organ are welcome on Sunday afternoons to come and play the instrument in the sanctuary. Otherwise, recorded music or uplifting musical or natural films may be playing on the sanctuary screen.

Please note that the sanctuary is a generally held in silence or in music only to respect its original purpose and founding principles. Of course, we lift the silence of course for councils, singing, trainings, or during Friday movie night movies. 

Kindly observe quiet as much as possible and reserve comments and conversations for outside as with any sanctuary, chapel, or sacred space.

If you have questions or want to chat, feel free to drop by during Saturday garden hours, which are very relaxed. You can also text the sanctuary line with more time-sensitive matters or questions at 801-663-9360.