BYM Women’s Retreat ’08 Workshop
Descriptions
Title: Chanting Presenter: Betsy
Krome
Description:
Sacred
chant is part of many religious traditions. The unhurried repetitions of chants
are also the antithesis of busyness --they bring us to a place of openness,
where there is time enough for song and life to unfold at their own pace.We will sing
chants from the Taize traditions, from Beverly Shepard's FGC workshops, and
from other sources. No special vocal abilities are necessary --all voices are
welcome.
Title: Knitting as a Mindful Practice Presenter: Beth Edelstein
Description: This workshop will
examine knitting as a mindful practice. The yarn twists and tangles as
our lives do. Sometimes the knots seem impenetrable; sometimes they fall
away without effort. When the mind is still and the heart open, the
fibers respond to encouragement. This workshop will include both
worship sharing and yarn work for people at all levels of interest and
expertise. Although I will provide some needles and yarns, participants
are welcome to bring their own materials. If appropriate, we will explore
ways of taking the spiritual practice of knitting into the larger world to
provide warmth, comfort and celebration to others.
Title: Sacred Circle Dance Presenter:
Peggy O’Neill
Description:
We will have an opening
and closing circle with silence and sharing, and then each dance will be from
the silence and back to the silence. The dances are simple steps that we
go over before each dance, and then we let our bodies move with the music in
the circle. The dances range from meditative to fun. Some of them
are to taped music, some a cappella, and some we sing.
Title: Reaching for Gaia Presenter:
Patricia Stansbury
Description: Gardening
is more than a summer pastime. It is a
mystical, alchemical adventure, an integral part of our newly discovered
retroweb. It can be a fulfilling
addition to one’s way of life. Growing
a garden can help to heal Mother Earth.
Picture yourself in a garden, one that you planned and planted
yourself. The possibilities have no
limit. Visualize your garden, and draw or write what comes to mind while you
ponder a few queries. Share what
planting and growing means to you, and what you have discovered during this
time together.
Title: Personal Boundaries Presenter: Shirley Kirkwood
Description: "Boundaries are
not limitations, they map out my comfort zone."
This workshop will include a presentation, illustrating
exercises, partnering to "solve" common boundary situations, and
group discussion. The goal is to clarify our own boundaries and gain
a "sense of ourselves as both separate and in unity with the
world." This session may also include introduction to a children's
curriculum related to boundaries as related to awareness and prevention of
child abuse.
Title: DOING PEACE: From
Leadings to Activism Presenter: Debby Churchman
Description: Notice
and appreciate the many ways in which you are already letting your life speak
for peace and social justice, and then consider ways to discern, welcome,
nurture, and follow leadings that are intended for you.
Title: Three Poems and a Fourth Presenter: Leslie Shiel
Description: Using three contemporary poems
(not her own!) as starting points, poet Leslie Shiel will lead participants
through a series of freewrites. The fourth "poem" is whatever
emerges--a text, a sketch, a decision, a set of new questions--for each
participant.
Title: Yoga
Presenter: Akke Hulburt
Description: The goal of
yoga is to realize the spiritual unity behind all creation and to live
harmoniously as members of one universal family.
This yoga session will start with
centering techniques like breath awareness, chanting and eye movements. There
will be options during the asana portion of the session to stay at a beginner
level or to go deeper into the poses for those who are experienced yoga
practitioners. During the last part of
the session the focus will be on relaxation on the physical level as well as on
an energetic, mental and emotional level.
When all aspects of our being are relaxed, we are naturally in touch
with the Light within.Bring a mat if you have one. There will be mats available for
those who need one.
Title: Choosing
the Change You Want to See Presenter: Jean James
Description: Feeling an itch you can’t quite
scratch? Looking for the better self? Totally confused as to how to clear the
fog from your hear and mind? Don’t feel alone! Come to the workshop to examine
with others ways to clarify your inner heart’s desire, and find ways to clear
the path to take action. Bring a pad and pen.
Title: Just Peace Circles Presenter: Betty Rainbow Hoover
Description: Just Peace Circles was born on
March 4th, 2007. “I almost fell off my prayer pillow when I
‘heard’ the name of the organization I was to form along with the urgent
instructions to ‘do it now,” says founder Bette Hoover. Soon the mission
and the needed support came together – magically. The challenge is to
keep one’s eyes on the vision and not allow doubt (and finances) to deter from
the Leading. Workshop participants will experience a restorative dialogue
circle in the manner of Just Peace Circles. http://www.justpeacecircles.org
Title: It’s Not What You Think! A Drawing Workshop (No Experience
Necessary) Presenter: Martha Menk
Description: My
hope is that you leave this session seeing like never before, or in ways you’ve
forgotten or ignored! This workshop will exercise your brain in present time
and encourage you to let your eyes do the “thinking.” There will be
three drawing exercises in all. You’ll be able to take at least one technique with you to use again whenever you
want to reactivate your vision. Come prepared to relax and enjoy
yourself! Materials provided.
Title: Dreamwalkings Presenter: Paula
Justice
Description: We will examine dreams from
philosophical, scientific, and psychological
perspectives then explore the dream world through artistic and
dramatic techniques. Please bring a recent or powerful old dream you would like
to continue traveling through! Bio:
Professor and Licensed Professional Counselor, Paula Justice researched dreams
for her dissertation and has been leading workshops, groups and academic
seminars in dreams for the last 20 years. Paula L. Justice Ph.D Department of Communication and Theatre
VBHEC 245A 757-368-1749
Old Dominion University -Norfolk, VA
Title: Personal Visioning Presenter: Plum Cluverius
Description: Take some time to focus
on yourself and tune in to your heart’s deepest desires. The Personal Visioning Workshop is a
creative, non-traditional approach to exploring life’s questions. It is based on the premise that our
intuitive wisdom is available to guide us if we stop to listen. The personal visioning workshop provides the
time, space and tools reflect on the important questions in our lives and find
some answers. Facilitated by Plum
Cluverius, who in her non-Meeting life is an executive coach, the Personal
Visioning Workshop will provide surprises and rich learning. Though profound, it is also great fun!
Title: Not With These Hands Presenter:
Kristin Hott
Description: Not With These Hands was
created by friends who had a leading to do something about the increasing
violence witnessed in our community and around the country. After the
tragic murders of an entire family, the idea was driven by a wish to create
opportunities for real human connection and healing and to help sustain an
identity in the community as a non-violent place to live, work and play.
The
organization has worked to engage the community in creating a pledge of
non-violence, particularly in the form of a personally designed quilt
square. This ongoing project is something the workshop will focus on,
including an opportunity for participants to contribute their own. For more details visit: www.NotWithTheseHands.org.
