~~Ask Marian~~

Q: I am aware of your group’s active charity and community services.  What exactly do you believe is your purpose and/ or intent?

A. We believe we are here to be “our brother’s keeper”.  We believe there is no end to what a loving person can give away when they know that supply is incorporeal, spiritual… that even money is spiritual substance.

We believe that every “seed” we plant in the Garden of Life brings back a rich harvest in like kind.  We believe we cannot out give the Creator, God. We believe the earth is a gift, and our purpose is to honor that gift by living upon it peacefully, harmoniously and lovingly.

We believe that we are eternal spirit having a human experience, and we are here to do the very best we can!

We believe we create heaven or hell by our thoughts, words and feelings, and our actions talk far louder than words!  So, we put our love into action!

Nearly 40 years ago we took the first action by helping a family in need.  From that action the CCC program was birthed. Starting out as the Children’s Christmas Charities it didn’t take it long to develop into a year around community charities program. Christmas for the children is still our greatest passion, but through out the year we try to help single parents and children with shelter, utilities, food, furniture, clothing or whatever their greatest need happens to be.  And all year long we prepare to be the “nameless Santa on the mountain.”  (The children never know our faces or our names.)  From the mothers we get a “wish and need” list, and just like Santa Claus we do our very best to fill it!

Q: How do you “find” the families you are led to help?

A: Families come to us through Head Start, the battered woman’s shelter, referrals, word of mouth and even an occasional “accidental” encounter in town.  Not all families are single parent, for some are young couples (or older couples) who have fallen on “hard times”. 

The 2007 CCC campaign assisted seventeen families with everything from bicycles to security deposits on lodging for the near homeless.  This number does not include the one-time assistance given to many who just “happened” to cross our path.          

Q: Why do you do it?

A.  Because we can!  Inspired by Gandhi’s immortal statement “what I can do I will do.”,we feel we can do nothing less!

Q: Where does the money come from?

A: This entire ministry is supported solely by donations which are tax deductible.  One of our “daily” collections is a jar in the chapel that reads “Coins for Children.”  It gives everyone an opportunity to drop in their loose change all year long.  It’s not a hardship for anyone, and you’d be amazed how quickly pocket change grows into dollars!  From time to time someone will donate good used furniture which we quickly place in a “new” home.  Three times over the years automobiles have been donated, and they were given to someone needing transportation in order to work. And, unusual donations are often made. For instance, one kind lady donated 18 stuffed animals and, of course, we had exactly 18 children in that age group whom I’m sure smiled brightly Christmas morning when they received them!

The Terra Nova women’s group volunteered many, many hours to wrapping and organizing the gifts, and to ensure the right present went to the right home.  The staff at the center loaded up all the vehicles, and took care of the deliveries.  And caring people around the country sent their donations to help.  A true team effort!

And, most importantly, we prayed there would be enough so that no one went hungry or without!  And no one was left out!  Now, we’re “rolling up our sleeves” so we’ll be ready when the 2008 calls come rolling in!  O. Lord, we are willing!

Q: What part of this work gives you the most joy?

A: Beyond a shadow of a doubt, playing Santa to so many who wouldn’t have a merry Christmas otherwise, makes me smile and brings tears to my eyes.  I like to sit in my old rocker, when the last vehicle has returned from delivering, and give thanks to God for allowing us to be part of something so wonderful.  I then smile as I try to imagine the many happy children on Christmas morning!

Q: Aside from the CCC, how else is Terra Nova Center involved in?

A: One staff member is now a captain at the Cedar Mountain volunteer fire- department, some volunteer with Hospice, mediation, counseling and ministerial services are available. In addition, Terra Nova Center is a registered wildlife preserve, and everyone works to maintain the beauty and the integrity of the land, in order to ensure our natural heritage for the future.  Terra Nova, also, maintains a food pantry, and once a month our food donations are taken to Sharing House, a central location here in the county that is supported by many different churches.  Rev. Virginia Shuford, on our staff, heads up the food project.

Q.    And what about the animals?

A.     Seven years ago, Terra Nova sponsored Animal Lighthouse, which is under the direction of Rev. Carole Fossen, also a staff member, and it has done amazing things for animal’s welfare here in these mountains.  Its purpose is to find good homes for abandoned animals, and to teach responsible pet ownership, through a widely acclaimed spay-neuter program, as well as nutritional and training needs.

In seven years an estimated 8000 animals have been helped, through funds to have them spayed or neutered, cutting down the number of unwanted puppies and kittens by the thousands.  (Animal Control is well aware that this program has drastically reduced the number of unwanted animals that would, otherwise, have had to be euthanized.)

Homeless animals are rarely kept here at Terra Nova since this is a “people retreat”, but, instead are fostered out.  Animal Lighthouse buys the food, pays for the veterinarian, and the shots, then gives vouchers for the spay-neuter surgery, and tries to find good homes for each one.  Like the CCC program, this, too, is dependent on donations.  What CCC does for people, Animal Lighthouse does for animals!

Q.  What is the greatest need at Terra Nova Center?

A. That’s an easy one to answer.  Money! We live by faith and the knowledge   that Spirit will provide.  Many times it gets down to the last penny, then, out-of-the-blue; an unexpected donation will come, so we are always aware that God “knows we’re on the job”.  And the work can and will continue!

We always need prayers, loving words of encouragement and good will.  And hugs and smiles are always welcome!

Q: How can donations be made to Terra Nova Center?

Checks can be made to
Terra Nova Center
3475 Reasonover Road
Cedar Mountain, NC  28718

And, of course, you can make a bequest in your will, to ensure the continuation of these activities.  We are a non-profit 501C 3 organization, so all donations are tax deductible.

* Note:  Questions for Marian can be sent to Terra Nova Center and she will do her best to answer.

message From Marian January 2008

2008- A Year of Hope and Opportunity
by Rev. Marian Y. Starnes

I’ve been asked by many what I see for the New Year. Since I do not see myself as a prophet but rather as an intuitive, I can only share what I sense and feel about 2008.
As the old year was passing, I began to have a subtle sense of peace and love. This is certainly a wonderful way for an individual to approach a new year.
Just as there were so many unexpected challenges for all of us in 2007, I feel 2008 will offer many blessings. For months I’ve felt a shifting in the energies, in spite of all the violence that keeps erupting in the world.

Since it is the first year of a brand new nine year cycle, energetically, it promises to be a year of “new beginnings.” It is a time to put forth resolutions to be kinder, more loving and tolerant, and especially, to forgive and let go of the past. It’s a year when we have the choice to “plant weeds or roses.” For myself, I’ll opt to plant roses!

My message to everyone, as well as to myself, has five simple steps:

1. Do the best you can.
2. Do not deliberately humiliate, judge or harm any other part of life
3. Listen! If it feels good, right there in your solar plexus, it’s an indication of a right action. Do it!
4. Listen! If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it!
5. If you don’t get an answer either way, wait – it’s just not the right time! If you’re wondering why certain things or people keep appearing in your life, I suggest reading “Courageous Souls.” The author is Robert Schwartz and any bookstore can order it for you

It is a powerful explanation of the soul contracts we make before birth. The most powerful thing I learned from it, and knew it to be true is the fact that even our enemies are part of our contracts. And, in the spirit world, all the souls love each other, in spite of what role they may have chosen to play.

For 2008 I wish you all a golden year, filled with hope, enthusiasm, health, prosperity, love and amazing laughter and joy.