WHITEHOUSE – Every day since opening in 2020, Ordinary Pioneer Spiritual Healing Community has focused on its mission to create a harmonious world of love and unity, by providing a safe, welcoming environment where individuals can thrive physically, mentally and socially.
For some, that means taking a class on meditation, yoga, Reiki, qigong or tarot. For others, the Whitehouse-based community provides a comforting space to relax and connect with community members.
The name Ordinary Pioneer comes from the idea that it doesn’t take superhuman qualities to make an impact in a world that seems a little wild and scary at times.
“It’s ordinary acts of kindness that are creating a great impact in the world,” said Halina Schriefer, co-founder of the nonprofit.
In 2022, Schriefer hosted the first Create Community Festival – a one-day event that merges creativity, spirituality and community through art, music, food and family-friendly activities.
This year has an additional focus: peace.
“The world has changed a little since 2022. Peace seems to be what people are seeking – and hope. So we added the word ‘peace.’ Our mission at Ordinary Pioneer is to bring people together with one intention of creating peace through unity,” she said.
The Create Community Peace Fest will be held Saturday, Aug. 8 from 2 to 8:30 p.m. at 6901 Providence St. in Whitehouse. New this year is more live music, an ongoing meditation space with crystal sound bowls, and an outdoor cooling tent with misters and water play for all ages. From 1:30 to 5 p.m., massage, Reiki and tarot sessions will be offered by Ordinary Pioneer healing facilitators.
From 2 to 5 p.m., vendors will be set up and craft activities offered, along with peace demonstrations, including:
Joe Sparks, poetry at 2:15 p.m.
Dr. Guldal, “Walk Sacred” at 2:45 p.m.
Kerry Patrick Clark, musician, at 3:30 p.m.
Jon Schoonmaker, musician, at 4:15 p.m.
Halina Schriefer, “Breathe Love” at 5 p.m.
From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., enjoy a community meal and live music from Humble Cannon.
At 6:30 p.m., Sound Voyage will lead a drum circle – inviting guests to use buckets and sticks or drums to join in.
A closing ceremony will be held at 8:15 p.m.
The festival is free and open to everyone. Since Ordinary Pioneer is involved with the Center for Conscious Living, the Multifaith Council of Northwest Ohio and Unity of Toledo, Schriefer anticipates many members of those communities will attend.
“It’s not just one group putting on this day, but multiple communities coming together. Which is kind of the whole point. I think we will see it taking on a tone of a music festival with spiritual and wellness communities,” Schriefer said. But, she added, it attracts many local people as well, including the group of teenagers that happened to be walking to the park last year when they saw the festival and decided to stay.
Over the years, Ordinary Pioneer Co-Founder Paul Narus has seen the gathering take on a more “festivaly” feel, with people just hanging out, listening to live music, talking to vendors and enjoying an atmosphere that is open and accepting of everyone.
Wearing a “Welcoming Weirdos” t-shirt, Schriefer smiles as she speaks about the people who have become part of the Ordinary Pioneer community.
“We had a man come in and tell us that he had a lot of social anxiety, and he was terrified to be around people. He said no one accepted him – that he was the black sheep in the family,” she recalled. “I said, ‘You’re in the right place; we welcome weirdos here.’ People are not always accepted in their families or communities. We welcome them all with open arms. People are here because they can relax here.”
Both have seen a transformation in many of the community members, who pop in for a class, a chat or just to be.
“People come in here with multiple intentions and problems. We provide space to solve them. We don’t really give them direction, just opportunity,” Narus said.
“We direct them back to their most authentic selves,” Schriefer added. “We have a lot of people that demonstrate individuality. For me, that’s inspiring. For individuals who are quirky and express themselves out of the norm, it takes the edge off and lets others know that it’s okay to be themselves.”
The Ordinary Pioneer space allows people to relax and share the burdens they’ve been holding onto, she said.
“Everybody is going through something. No one is more advanced or has it more figured out than another person. We come together and share,” she said.
The Ordinary Pioneer community members work together, sharing their gifts for the benefit of all. It could be tending the garden, cleaning, bringing food, mowing the lawn or donating monetarily, Narus said.
“We rely on each other for the health of the community,” he said.
Most of the classes and services operate on the gift economy, which means donating what feels right, rather than having a set price, Schriefer said.
“Where one person isn’t able to give or can just give a few dollars, someone else is able to give more,” she said.
A raffle during the Create Community Peace Fest will raise funds for a Gifts of Healing Program, which supports those with little or no income who are in need of healing services. Narus and Schriefer are also up to an ice bucket challenge: the jar with the most money in it by the end of the event will determine which one gets to endure having ice poured on their head.
For more information about the event or services, visit ordinarypioneer.com.
