As its name suggests, the Abode is a home for all people. It is the beating heart with wings…read morethrough which a human being can become aware of how much they are connected to all things. The natural beauty of the land it sits upon can alone bring one to the entrance of Infinity. Yet the one thing that makes this place so special, so separate, and such an incredible light are the people that you will meet there. Whether you wander up on a sleepy Wednesday morning and just say hello to some of the resident workers or you go for an event such as the Dances for Universal Peace, you will meet people, true of heart, who have come for one simple thing; to reconnect with their soul, with all of nature, with existence itself. This place is worth saving, this place is worth everything.

I loved this place, and spent 5 weeks there in 2016 as a "khadim," or spiritual intern.read more

Beautiful old church with a touch more historical relevance than one might think…read more First things first. This is a beautiful old church, not terribly large or overly ornate, but it's really pretty just from a visual standpoint. To say it's "picturesque" would be an astute characterization. It was built between 1805-1806 in the Federalist style and is apparently one of only a select number of similarly-styled church buildings to survive to this day from the area- at least, that's what I was told by a church member during a tour of the building while visiting friends who live in Massachusetts. The building, which originally served as a meetinghouse for the village, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the early 1980's. While the congregation apparently dates back to 1769, the current church building wasn't erected until 1805-1806, replacing the old village meetinghouse, which was built by the early 1770's. To this day, the church hosts regular worship services for the community, as well as funerals, weddings, baptisms, etc. The site even plays host to the annual Lenox Craft Fair every summer. Apparently, the craft fair is a pretty big town event nowadays and people come from all over to attend. My friends that live nearby even pick up Christmas gifts a few months ahead of the holidays that they find at this shindig. I think the building, although not a typically ornate, large chapel, is lovely. I especially liked how well-preserved and maintained the building is, particularly the beautiful Palladian window- a hallmark of the building's architectural style- that sits above the church doors. As for historical significance, the town's first cemetery, located behind the church, marks the graves of several prominent Revolutionary War figures, including Major Azariah Egleston. I was also told by a church historian during a tour here that the original building, a meetinghouse later torn down to make way for the current chapel, served as a "safe house" for several key meetings during the Revolutionary War. I don't know if all that is 100% true, but that's what I was told and the local historian seemed to know their stuff. If you're in the area and want to visit the church/cemetery, the site seems pretty open to guests and tourists and other curiosity seekers. Otherwise, it's an interesting location to take a few photos and learn a bit more about local history.

The Church on the Hill was the dream location for my wedding ceremony. It is absolutely stunning…read more If you are considering having your wedding here and are still on the fence, go see it in person and you'll be convinced. The inside of the church is absolutely breathtaking. The second my husband and I walked in we knew we had to get married there. Amy was a superstar to work with! I was emailing her constantly for six months and she answered all my questions fully and promptly. We had a few special requests and she was able to accommodate us - for example, we asked if we could bring snack bags in the entry/lobby of the church for guests that arrived early. This was not a problem and we were able to use tables from the church to set up treats, coffee, and water. Because it was the second weekend in December, the church was already decorated for Christmas. Initially I was worried because I had not envisioned a Christmas themed wedding, however Amy was able to send me pictures of the decorations ahead of time and the church was beautiful. I loved the way it looked on our wedding day - it was absolutely gorgeous and festive and warm. One other general note: my husband and I really wanted to get married in a historic or pretty church because the majority of our guests were from out of town and we wanted to make a good impression. It was also really important to me that the church have a center aisle so that when the doors opened I could see down the aisle to where my husband was standing at the altar. This was the ONLY church in either the Berkshires or the Hudson Valley that had a center aisle and allowed us to use our own minister. It was perfect and I loved getting married there so much I want to renew my vows there....tomorrow.

I love, love, LOVE this store. Great jewelry, pottery, artwork, and assorted decorative items…read more Super friendly, helpful staff. Best of all, there's many fair trade items and very reasonable prices. Worth the trip!

"GOD loves us, ALL of us. Peaceful, blessed and wonderful place for spiritual healing and…read moregratefulness to the Almighty. Staff are very polite , friendly and very helpful. Amazing shrine with marvelous religious relics located in huge land with a lot of trees around the shrine. So relaxing and fresh air every where in properly maintained land. Gift shop and cafe inside the complex with ample parking spaces. Really a day worth to visit, relax and feel the love of God.

Beautiful property. Great place to meditate. Historical building. I had a great experience here…read moretoday!

As sort of a miscellaneous stop-by today on my way at Bard (before dealing with some Uber riders),…read moreI stopped in here. I figured I needed to stop in. Although I generally stop-in at my local church in Red Hook, NY nearby, I figured I'd stop in here. I found it a terrific site to take a second breather. The doors were left open and so I headed in to pray. And although I'd rather not discuss what I prayed for, I can say this: some of the words I used were "I know you work miracles, but I need a miracle right now, and asked if He could lead me into the right direction." On my way out, I was about to sign the guest log, but I didn't have a pen on me. I went searching through a few places but couldn't locate one. With what seemed like no one around to help or greet me, I felt lost. I noticed the scotch tape and various knick-knacks left behind from those needing this places services. Now, I don't generally have too much time to get down on certain weekend days for mass, so I don't know how well mass is served here, however, from the looks of the sign on the door just as you come in (on the paper reminder sign) and seeing the amount of chairs inside the place, it must not have many congregants to foster it....Don't let this churches beauty go to ruins as you let things lapse over time. I liked the way the place looked and although the mass reminder said this was a Christian church chapel, I found it oddly unique that the Holy Table area was set up as if the place was devoted to Lutheran religions. Outside of that, the place is rather well kept-up. Yes, it's got it's places where dust is starting to collect and there are what looks to be like permanent locks on some fold-down drawers of some pianos/organs, but overall, still something worthwhile to go check out. I was oddly confused. Normally when I attend a church sit-down to pray, I generally have the genuflector in front of me - but this place is different. There are just chairs and no genuflectors here. There was only one genuflector on the one side of the chapel, but it wasn't tied to any certain chair, and that was rather awkward.

St. Patrick's in Catskill: Sunday mass is in a basement in a newer administration building and only…read morethe second and fourth weekend of the month. Bible class by a talented deacon is a home-run. Congregation appears small and friendly.

Sunday Eucharist service at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Sunday school and study groups. Church has a…read morethrift shop, The Treasure shop, open Friday and Saturday all year from 10:00am to 1:00m (except holidays.)

There are weddings that linger long after the toast, not just in photographs but in the romantic…read moreway light falls through memory. This past weekend, I had the privilege of photographing for Nicole Puckette Photography at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church in Woodstock, NY, and it was one of those rare experiences that will stay with me. The church itself is a work of art--stone, wood breathing history, peaks and tall windows let September sunlight pour in like a blessing. Every corner seemed made for a story, whether it was the bride gathering her thoughts in the quiet of the pew, or the way the groom's laughter carried beneath the soaring beams. St. Gregory's doesn't just hold a ceremony; it cradles it, wrapping it in warmth and reverence that I felt through the lens. Working with Nicole was nothing short of inspiring. She carries herself with the calm assurance of someone who knows how to see people at their most genuine. We're an amazing team. Where I saw beauty, she found nuance; where I caught light, she found shadow, and together those perspectives wove into something greater than either of us alone. Her kindness with the couple, her patience with family, and her gift for making everyone at ease reminded me that photography is as much about connection as it is about craft. I left Woodstock with memory cards full of moments, yes, but also with gratitude--for the sacred beauty of St. Gregory's, for the laughter and tears of the day, and for the chance to work with my colleague and friend Nicole Puckette. It was a wedding that reminded me why we do what we do, and why it matters. I can't wait to go back. www.stevenparkers.com