Events & Celebrations, Musings
What Happens at Work Days?
Spontaneous dandelion offering left by Charlotte for the Spirits of the Land
For those who have not been to a recent work day, I would like to share what they are like and how they have been evolving, using our most recent one as an example.
To begin, we take a moment to thank the Spirits of the Land for their abundance.
We then spend awhile taking a walk around to see what is happening on the land. I like to use this as an informal time to share my knowledge of permaculture and farming, with bits of herbalism, botany, plant lore and magical properties thrown in for good measure. This is also an opportunity to see how the various projects we’ve been working on together are coming along, and give general appreciation for what we are creating together in community.
Juneberry tree with berries on it… Wild rose bush blossoming in the background
Close-up of Juneberries
Going to see the newly hatched chicks
Mama hen and chicks
Charlotte
After taking our walk, we have a small break for some refreshments (volunteers are responsible for bringing their own), and to discuss the projects needing to be worked on. I try to have a variety of options for physical abilities and skill levels. Once everyone has decided what they’d like to tackle, we get to work.
Emily working on trail maintenance
Sarenth working on trail maintenance
After finishing up working, sometimes we pull out the camp chairs and sit and visit for awhile. Then, before leaving, there is usually the option to take home some produce or plant starts when there is extra available from the farm.
I hope this gives a better idea of what to expect on our volunteer days. Thank you to all our regulars who are not pictured here! And thank you to Emily and Sarenth for taking these pictures!
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
