Helen Hecker was an American music student in Germany where she became a pupil of Rudolf Steiner, attending lectures beginning in 1905. On her return to Santa Barbara in 1909, Helen continued her personal connection with Dr Steiner through correspondence. She was active as a pioneer member in the later Anthroposophical Society, forming the group named after her in 1915.
In 1923, three groups were recognized as active in America: the Helen Hecker Group in Santa Barbara, the St Mark Group in New York City, and the Los Angeles Study Group. The St John’s Group was active in Chicago with widely scattered members.
Lyla Marshall Harcoff, a recognized Santa Barbara painter, belonged to a second wave of members in 1928. Her daughter, Jane Martindale, carried on the group’s work in her home until 2012, maintaining its lending library. Jane’s daughter, Liane Martindale is also a member of the Helen Hecker Group and still maintains the original library.
Rudolf Steiner gave the following version of the Lord’s Prayer to Helen Hecker, presumably for the Santa Barbara group.
Our Father who art in Heaven.
Heaven is unlimited, it is within
Ourselves as well as without.
Hallowed be Thy name.
Awaken in me the Spirit Self.
Spiritualize my Astral body.
Let me become one with the Holy Spirit.
Thy Kingdom come.
Awaken in me the Life Spirit.
Spiritualize my Etheric body.
Let me become one with The Christ.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Awaken in me the Spirit Man.
Spiritualize all that is Physical in me.
Let me become one with the Father.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Let me not want for anything
That is necessary for my body and soul.
Nourish me with Thy Self who
Art the bread and the water of Life.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us.
Forgive me all weaknesses and help me to
Conquer and purify all inclinations
That dwell in my Etheric body,
Whether inherited or my own.
Purify my imagination or thought life.
Lead us not into temptation.
Help me to cleanse my Astral body
Of all passions and desires.
Fill me with Thy Love in order that Thy
Love overflowing from the cup of my Soul
May benefit the world.
Deliver us from evil.
Help me to overcome my lower self
So that I may, through Thy Goodness, Grace and Mercy,
Attain that which was given through the birth of the Christ
And belong to those whom the evil one does not touch.
For Thine is the Kingdom
And the power and the glory
From Eternity to Eternity.
In 1923, three groups were recognized as active in America: the Helen Hecker Group in Santa Barbara, the St Mark Group in New York City, and the Los Angeles Study Group. The St John’s Group was active in Chicago with widely scattered members.
Lyla Marshall Harcoff, a recognized Santa Barbara painter, belonged to a second wave of members in 1928. Her daughter, Jane Martindale, carried on the group’s work in her home until 2012, maintaining its lending library. Jane’s daughter, Liane Martindale is also a member of the Helen Hecker Group and still maintains the original library.
Rudolf Steiner gave the following version of the Lord’s Prayer to Helen Hecker, presumably for the Santa Barbara group.
Our Father who art in Heaven.
Heaven is unlimited, it is within
Ourselves as well as without.
Hallowed be Thy name.
Awaken in me the Spirit Self.
Spiritualize my Astral body.
Let me become one with the Holy Spirit.
Thy Kingdom come.
Awaken in me the Life Spirit.
Spiritualize my Etheric body.
Let me become one with The Christ.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Awaken in me the Spirit Man.
Spiritualize all that is Physical in me.
Let me become one with the Father.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Let me not want for anything
That is necessary for my body and soul.
Nourish me with Thy Self who
Art the bread and the water of Life.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us.
Forgive me all weaknesses and help me to
Conquer and purify all inclinations
That dwell in my Etheric body,
Whether inherited or my own.
Purify my imagination or thought life.
Lead us not into temptation.
Help me to cleanse my Astral body
Of all passions and desires.
Fill me with Thy Love in order that Thy
Love overflowing from the cup of my Soul
May benefit the world.
Deliver us from evil.
Help me to overcome my lower self
So that I may, through Thy Goodness, Grace and Mercy,
Attain that which was given through the birth of the Christ
And belong to those whom the evil one does not touch.
For Thine is the Kingdom
And the power and the glory
From Eternity to Eternity.