Darkthorn’s Blog

THE CLOSURE OF MPSN
mpsn closure/herbert/july 24/300 words
By Rosemarie Herbert

After ten years of holding pilgrimage treks on the Peninsula and promoting alternative spirituality, Mornington Peninsula Spirituality Network has closed this month.

Events held by the network in 2007 included an opportunity to explore Muslim faith, and a celebration of the seasons and stages of life as well as the obligatory Christian traditions.

Most popular were the annual pilgrimages which grew from a small number of weekend walkers to a full scale, week-long walk.

In commemoration of this, in 2007 MPSN published 1998 – Peninsular Pilgrimage – 2007, a collection of experiences and memories from more than thirty pilgrims.

Margaret Glenn, editor, said that the first edition has sold out to members and friends of the network, but a limited second edition is available for the public.

“We needed the second edition for displaying in libraries and bookshops,” she said.

This success left MPSN wondering where to go next, as numbers attending Saturday events fluctuated and long-serving core members expressed tiredness.

President Denis Woodbridge concluded in his 2007 Annual Report that something drastic must be done to save the MPSN organisation.

“The whole program of the MPSN needs to be re-examined… other people need to come forward to oversee it,” he said.

Sadly, by February 12th 2008, MPSN was set to close, as the annual general meeting saw no new committee members stepping up to take the place of resigning members.

Rev. Woodbridge suggested that perhaps people’s spiritual needs were being addressed by other likeminded agencies, which have burgeoned over the last decade and that this was a natural end for MPSN.

“Our project has served its purpose. We can now reflect on what we have achieved,” he said.

Leftover funds were passed on to the Anglican Parish of Sorrento/Rye for the purpose of further promoting spiritual activities on the Peninsula.

ENDS