You’re Invited: Celebrate Whitsun with Us
Sunday, May 24 at 6:00 PM · Howell Park · All Are Welcome - but please RSVP
Hosted by the Golden Thread Council of Spring River School and The Sophia Circle Study Group

Dear Friends,

Please join us in celebrating Whitsun, a sacred and ancient festival that honors the light that lives within us and between us.

Observed in communities around the world, Whitsun celebrates the coming together of individuals in their highest striving—when we unite in love, purpose, and goodwill, something luminous is born among us. Here in North Florida, it is our joy to mark this festival as a celebration of our shared path in education, healing, and community.

This gathering is hosted by the Golden Thread Council of Spring River School—a pedagogical and spiritual endeavor devoted to weaving connection, reverence, and warmth across all our programs and throughout our greater community.

When our highest selves come together, our collective light becomes a stellar force—one that lifts up wonder, nourishes spirit, and calls forward unseen support for all we hope to become.

We will gather in the beauty of Howell Park to share simple crafts, meaningful connection, and community celebration. A vegan, gluten-free and nut free cake will be lovingly provided. This is a gentle and radiant festival, perfect for all ages.

Please bring:
🌼 A white or gold trinket, stone, or flower to contribute to our community mandala
🤍 Wear white, gold, or yellow if you feel drawn
🍰 An open heart for celebration and connection

Kindly RSVP so we can prepare enough cake and crafting materials for everyone.

Come celebrate Whitsun with us—where community becomes light, and light becomes wonder.

With warmth and joy,
The Golden Thread Council & Sophia Circle
Carrie, Nika, Barbara & Kathy

Contact: goldenthread@jaxeducationalcommunity.org

Spring River School is an initiative of Jacksonville Educational Community (JEC), a pioneering non-profit organization founded by parents and local educators who are driven by a common desire to create a transformative educational experience focused on the whole-child approach.

This impulse led to the establishment of Florida's first Waldorf-inspired K-8 all-outdoor education program.

Students at Spring River are welcomed to a place of respect and encouragement, where they learn to be self-sufficient and are provided the space to flourish. The curriculum, pedagogy, and teaching methods are designed to nurture and realize each child's unique potential.

In the fall of 2020, we took our homeschool classes on outdoor field trips for the school year and found that outdoor education was the perfect fit for our curriculum and families. Our classes, which for several years were indoors in churches and community centers, have now been moved to local parks steps from the ocean in the Beaches Area. With the support of our community, we are working toward building a campus that will be home to outdoor pavilions and a biodynamic garden. Outside of Spring River, parents may homeschool their children in any manner of their choosing. Our parents and teachers are available to provide inspiration and ideas that blend well with our supplemental program.

A little bit, about JEC:

WHO WE ARE

We are a pioneering community of business owners, caregivers, teachers, and students seeking ways to connect with the wonders of the natural world and each other.

WHAT WE DO

Our purpose is to engage the Northeast Florida community in initiatives, programming, and community outreach that embodies the full range of Holistic and Anthroposophical-inspired ideals such as:

Outdoor Education

Homeschool Enrichment

Waldorf Education

Community Green Space

Biodynamic Gardening

Anthroposophical Studies

The Healing Arts

Teacher Training and Support

WHY WE BELIEVE THIS IS IMPORTANT

Everyone needs and deserves access to nature and human connection.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

I. We exist to support the developing human being on their journey to discover purpose and meaning.

II. We accomplish this support through education, spiritual practice, and service.

III. We seek to awaken capacities of judgment, creativity, perception, empathy, joy, and wonder.

IV. We embody reverence for the uniqueness of each individual and respect for their right to freedom.

V. We believe nature offers the essential needs of reflection, health, and connection.

Festival of Community Light - Whitsun 2026