Workshops 2008
Yoga - Join us for gentle Yoga and experience a peaceful session whereby you work to integrate yourself with the environment, the body, the mind, and the spirit. Michele Gilbert-Gregg will lead this early morning workshops on Saturday and Sunday to get you started on the day.
Nature Walk Meditation
The Chinsequt grounds have wonderful nature trails.
Immerse yourself in the Dao by moving thoughtfully through the woods. Notice the subtle changes that mark our Florida autumn season. Walk alone or with others, in early morning or after dinner.
Write First, Think Later -
Several short exercises in getting words down with no worry about write or wrong. We'll read and share. A possible tool for combating writer's block. Lynn Montgomery will lead this workshop.
Community Art –
Mary Wickensheimer will teach you how to make your own reusable LED lights which can be used to illuminate balloons, paper lanterns, or other art and party projects.
Materials from this workshop will be used in the evening program.
Astrology -
Explore Chinese astrology with Leslie Rigg. Chinese astrology is based on 12 animals and 5 elements. We will also learn, in this system of divination, our outer, inner, and secret selves.
Art Memorial Piece
Join a group of women to laugh & share stories as we shore up the art memorial piece. Originally all the pieces were ironed on. Unfortunately, many are coming off. Join us to add your personal stitches & send this work on to inspire other women to change their lives.
The Villain-hitter –
This traditional spiritual guide will help you ward off negative influences and attract positive ones. More will be revealed about the role of this mysterious personage.
Fitness for the Not So Physically Fit Female
This is a series of full body exercises organized to be done in 20 minutes. If you are a “couch potato” who has wanted to start exercising, then this is the class for you! Emphasis is on basics with guidelines for more advanced exercises. Participants will need a yoga mat to exercise on.
An Overview Of Domestic Violence
Our WomenSpirit group lost two beloved sisters (and two babies) as a result of domestic violence recently. Perhaps this workshop may help you understand why a woman gets into, stays or returns to a relationship that is emotionally,spiritually, verbally, and/or physically abusive. Or perhaps you (or someone you know) has been or is involved with "Prince(ess) Harming," and would like to have a better understanding of why and what to do.
Domestic Violence is a very big topic. I have listed some of the points below that I hope to be able to cover in the time allotted. I have worked with victims of domestic violence for many years. Many wonderful, valuable women I have met through this ministry are forever woven into my heart.
- The bait used to hook her
- The need to be needed
- Fear as fuel
- Denying/minimizing reality
- Broken "danger" compass
- Q&A topic: What can we do?
Other
We may have other activities that didn’t make the press deadline.
2008 Retreat Schedule
Friday, October 10th
3 – 6pm: Registration and Name Tags
5 – 6pm: Social hour – Manor House
6:30 pm: Dinner in Dining Hall (Late Arrivals: Dinner cannot be saved.)
7:30 pm: Artisans’ Bazaar/Book Sale – Manor House
8 pm: Ingathering and Opening Ceremony – Tent/canopy (Bring anything that makes noise)
11 pm: Quiet Hour
Saturday, October 11th
7 a.m. Morning Meditation or trail walking
8 am: Breakfast in Dining Hall>
9 –9:45 am: Ingathering—Tent/Canopy
10:00 – 12:00: Morning workshops
12:00 pm: Lunch in Dining Hall
1 – 3 pm: Early Afternoon Workshops
3:30 – 5:30 pm: Late Afternoon Workshops
5 – 6 pm: Social Hour
6 pm: Dinner in Dining Hall
6:45 – 7:45 pm: Bazaar and Book Sale
8:00 pm: Evening Session: Tent /Canopy
9:00 pm: Fire Pit Celebration: Honoring the ancestors, Honoring ourselves
(bring your drums, any other instruments, & your voice)
11 pm: Quiet Hour
Sunday, October 12th
7 a.m. Morning Meditation or trail walking
8 am: >Breakfast in Dining Hall
9:00 – 10 am: Check out
9:30 – 10:30 am: Closing Ceremony:
11 am: Say farewells
What to Bring 2008
Important Things to Remember:
- We will be renting inexpensive folding chairs for outdoor seating under the tent/canopy. If you would be more comfortable bringing your own outdoor chair for whatever reason, please do so. Remember to put your name and number on it, just in case...
- Item(s) for outdoor altar. (please mark them discreetly with your name)
- An anecdote about a favorite ancestor to share at the campfire.
- Any kind of noise-maker for the opening ritual. Drums and instruments for our fire pit celebration.
- Books to donate to our book sale (proceeds go towards W&R scholarships)
- Snacks, fruit, cheese, drinks to share in the Social Hour Friday or Saturday afternoon .
- You may want to bring a flashlight. Favorite drinking mug. Extra beverages for your cabin (refrigerator available).
- Basic comfort clothes (shorts, slacks, walking shoes, P.J.s, sweater), sunscreen. Insect repellant may be important to you, since we are meeting outside in the evening. NO PERFUMES PLEASE!
Optional:
- “goddess clothes” (loose, swirly, colorful outfit suitable for dancing, comfortable for outdoor wear) for Saturday evening.
- Money to spend at the artisans’ bazaar, at the W&R used book sale and for refreshment/snack donations.
- A mat or a towel for yoga.
- Binoculars or camera for nature walking.
- You don’t need to bring: sheets or towels
Conference 2007 photos
Here are the pictures of the Conference held at UU Clearwater, contributed by Diane, Carol & Mary.
Click on the first picture to start the slide show, keep your mouse near the upper right of the photo to click on "Next" when you're ready.
{gallery}Conf07{/gallery}
The Spring 2008 Retreat
... has been cancelled.
Unfortunately the details just could not come together for this retreat to happen.
Please continue to check this space periodically for news of a future event or ongoing news concerning UU women and religion in the state of Florida.
If you wish to be a part of regenerating the energy behind this organization, please click on the "Statewide News" link on page left, and read Susan's letter.
Last updated on March 11, 2008
Fall 2008 - Stories from China
FL W&R 2008 Fall Retreat!
October 10-12, 2008
Chinsegut Hill Education Conference Center
University of South Florida, Brooksville
Fall 2007 - Being Peace
"Being Peace"
Our Fall Retreat
October 12, 13, 14 2007
Chinsegut Hill Conference and Retreat Center
After our amazing conference in May, where we discussed Healing & Changing our World, few things could seem more timely than a retreat focused on bringing & being peace. We will spend our time together learning & sharing about the concept of peace & what holds us back from peace in our minds, bodies, spirits, and our greater world. During our ingathering, we will share a Gifting Blanket - a Native American tradition that teaches us about gratitude & the perfect web of all things. Please bring a small gift of personal significance - perhaps something you already own - wrapped in brown paper or newsprint with your name inside. We will exchange these gifts in a meaningful way - each receiving exactly the gift that was meant for us. We will be given many other gifts, of course, on this special retreat - a knowing smile, a hug, a deep insight, hearty laughter, and the magic of being in community.
We will have workshops to help you achieve peace in your body & spirit. We will create a communal piece of art that will represent what holds us all back from peace & which we will burn in ceremony on Saturday night. And we will hold small group discussions about peace - what it is, how to achieve it, and why it matters. This promises to be a fabulous event - we look forward to seeing you all there!
Workshops
We have a number of workshops in mind. These are a sample of what may be available.
Yoga
Join us for gentle Yoga and experience a peaceful session whereby you work to integrate yourself with the environment, the body, the mind, and the spirit.
Nature Walk Meditation
The Chinsequt grounds have wonderful nature trails. A Peace inspirited walking meditation will be set up for your enjoyment. Walk alone or with others to reinvigorate your soul, find inspiration and renew yourself for life after our woman's gathering.
Community Art
Faith will facilitate a communal Peace art project which will be created during the day. It will play an integral part in Saturday night's extravaganza. This project will be ritually burned as an offering to the spirit of peace.
Non-violent Communication
Susan Hefte will lead a group exercise and discussion on productive methods of communication in today's world. Susan is a dynamic presenter who will inspire and facilitate an amazing discussion.
Peace Ribbon Project
The Peace Ribbon honors the victims of the Iraq War by creating a memorial to fallen soldiers and Iraqi civilians. The Peace Ribbon Project in an ongoing project and our goal is to create a remembrance panel for each life that has been claimed by this war. The Peace Ribbon has been displayed around the country. You can visit The Peace Ribbon Project for photos. You will be invited to help create a panel. Bring sewing machines and scraps if you'd like. You may also just find out more about Code Pink.