Florida District Women
are invited to join together in retreat
March 15-17 2013
Annual Florida District Women’s Retreat, DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center, Ellenton, FL
DaySpring, located conveniently off I-75, offers a wooded setting on a cove of the Manatee River. Bring UU women together in a setting which provides opportunities for conversation, sharing herstories, laughter and music, add nature trails, rocking chairs on screened porches, bicycles, a campfire, drumming, more laughter and conversation and you create a memorable experience! We gather together to create and enhance our connections to one another. We will also enjoy good food. Special dietary concerns can be met with prior notification.
Quoting an article from TampaBay.com:
"The University of South Florida, which leases the 160-year-old house north of Brooksville and runs it as a conference center, will shut it down July 1. The facility loses about $100,000 a year, said spokeswoman Lara Wade, "and we can no longer afford to subsidize it.''
That means no more retreats or weddings, no more jobs for the Manor House's five employees, and, most importantly, an uncertain future for what may be the county's most historically significant and scenic property."
What this means to us is that we currently have no place to host this fall's retreat. Those of you who may know of a suitable site, please contact Michelle Gilberrt-Gregg by email: mmgyoga2go at yahoo.com
Michelle has been working on a retreat for October 9 - 11, 2009, to be titled
Peace through Yoga.
There are some facilities that may be available, but that could involve more rustic facilities, or greater expense, or reduced privacy. If you are interested in attending a UUWR retreat this fall, please let Michelle know your thoughts on this.
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.
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
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
- Fall 2004 - Creating Harmony: A Musical Rendezvous with Spirit
- Spring 2001 - A Time for Fun!
- Fall 2001 - Circles for Centering, Circles for Change
- Spring 2002 - Inside Out: Mask Making and Spirituality
- Fall 2002 - Recasting the Shadow: Manifesting our power
- Conference 2003 - Spirituality: the Search for the Beloved
- Spring 2003 - Finding Your Inner Faerie
- Fall 2003 - Flowing to the Sea
- Spring 2004 - A Story Telling Retreat
- Spring 2005 - At The Root of Longing
- Fall 2005 - Laughing at Sacred Cows
- Spring 2006 - Pele: Goddess of Destruction, Goddess of Creation
- The Spring 2008 Retreat
- Conference 2007 - Healing and Changing Our World
- Fall 2007 - Being Peace
- Fall 2008 - Stories from China
