The Great Lakes Branch - Ann Arbor

 

Great Lakes Branch

Who We Are:
Within the Anthroposophical Society in America, the Branch is a group of people who work together to study, understand, nurture, and give expression to the worldview of Rudolf Steiner. In other words, the Branch aims to further anthroposophy - to facilitate the connection between the spirit in human beings and the spirit in the cosmos. The Branch works in the geographic region of the Great Lakes and, in particular, the greater Ann Arbor area of Michigan. In each calendar year, the Branch typically works to present festivals (Easter, St. John’s, Michaelmas, Christmas), traditional observances (Holy Nights, Three Kings, Rudolf Steiner’s Birthday), regularly scheduled lectures on a broad range of anthroposophical topics, and special lectures, presentations and gatherings. The Branch also supports with money and/or volunteer time the efforts of other anthroposophists and anthroposophical organizations. The Branch communicates regularly with its email list and maintains this website. Within our Branch there are also study groups which are organized and conducted by individual initiative, and the groups are typically open to newcomers. We enthusiastically welcome your interest, involvement, and questions!

The physical home of the Great Lakes Branch is in Ann Arbor at the Rudolf Steiner House, the headquarters of the Anthroposophical Society in America. Many of the Branch’s events take place at the Rudolf Steiner House. The House includes a lecture hall, administrative offices, kitchen, dining room, guest rooms, and a reading/lending library containing most of the titles of anthroposophical literature. Many of the Branch’s study groups schedule their meetings at the Steiner House. The Ann Arbor anthroposophical community includes the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (K-12), the Rudolf Steiner Health Center, Community Supported Anthroposophical Medicine, and the Community Farm of Ann Arbor, one of the oldest community-supported biodynamic farms in the nation.

Branch Membership.
To be a recipient of the Branch’s emails and/or to participate in Branch activities, there is only one requirement: you must express your wish to do so by notifying a Branch board member or by sending your name and contact information to the Branch’s general email address greatlakesanthroposophy@comcast.net. Within the Branch community, we loosely refer to everyone as a “member” regardless of their financial contributions to the Branch and regardless of their membership in the Anthroposophical Society. However, there are specific formal requirements for being a voting member or being a member who is also a member of the board of directors. The formal membership requirements are, in addition to expressing your wish to be a member of the Branch: being a member in good standing in the Anthroposophical Society and being current in your annual financial contribution to the Branch. The amount that you contribute to the Branch in any year is not a fixed amount; rather it is the amount that you determine to be right, taking into consideration your resources and the value that you attach to the work of the Branch. If you would like to further explore Branch membership, send an email to greatlakesanthroposophy@comcast.net.

Tax Information.
Your contribution to the Great Lakes Branch is an eligible charitable deduction on your federal income tax return in accordance with the fact that the Branch qualifies as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For its tax exempt status, the Branch relies on the IRS’s published rule that, if an organization such as the Great Lakes Branch meets all of the 501(c)(3) conditions, it may operate with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status without a determination letter from the IRS provided that its average annual gross receipts are at or below $5,000. This rule is from IRS Publication 557.

Directions and Contacts

Most, but not all, Branch events take place at the Rudolf Steiner House, located near downtown Ann Arbor at 1923 Geddes Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104-1797.

Please contact the designated event coordinator for information on a particular event. For Rudolf Steiner House reservations and questions, contact Cynthia Chelius by emailing cynthia@anthroposophy.org.

For general Branch questions, email: greatlakesanthroposophy@comcast.net or contact Dwight Ebaugh by emailing dwight.ebaugh@gmail.com.

For the Greater Detroit Branch contact Nancy Carpenter by emailing nancycarpenter680@gmail.com.

On-going Events

Monday

Every second and fourth Monday in the month, 7:30-9:00 pm, by Zoom

Great Lakes Branch Study Group uses a three-fold way of studying books/lectures by Rudolf Steiner that are chosen by the group.  Everyone is welcome.  Contact Andrée for details (dree.naylor@gmail.com or 734-904-0115).

Tuesday

Monthly (October through May except January), 7:30-9:00 pm

First Tuesday of the Month Lecture Series. See Special Events for the currently scheduled lectures. For further information, contact Dwight Ebaugh at dree.naylor@gmail.com.

Wednesday

Weekly, 7:30-9:00 pm

Wednesday Night Study Group of Ann Arbor. We read and discuss the books and lectures of Rudolf Steiner, including the basic books, as selected by the members of the group. We welcome new members - beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Contact Linda Britt for details including the group’s current study focus (britt.lindac@gmail.com or 734-417-7810).

Sunday

Monthly:

School of Spiritual Science. Members of the School meet regularly for class lessons (but not during times of corona virus restrictions). Blue cards required. Contact Douglas Miller (810-659-2204) or Quentin McMullen (734-761-8080).

Weekly:

Christian Community Service, 1320 E. Camden, Ferndale, Michigan 48220 with Rev. Victoria Capon (victoria.capon@thechristiancommunity.org, 508-717-2401.  Rev. Michael Brewer is recently retired.  Information regarding services in Ann Arbor will be forthcoming.

Other:

The Harbor Springs Festivals Group.  This group gathers informally in the Harbor Springs area of northern Michigan to share seasonal festivals and study.  Contact Mary Adams at starmare.adams@gmail.com or 231-838.8181 for details including the group’s current activity.

The Detroit Branch Study Group reads books and lectures by Rudolf Steiner.  Contact Susann or Bart Eddy for details including the group’s meeting time, meeting location and current study focus (susanneddy7@gmail.com or barteddy45@gmail.com or 248-945-9039).