Summer Retreat 2017 - NEW!!

Coming Home to Our Selves

August 18-20 at Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center in Watervliet Michigan

We'll gather in Trilogy Lodge, a dorm-style lodge that sleeps up to 25. Two or three twin beds per room, and bathrooms down the hall. Catered gourmet Vegan meals, nourishing workshops, wildflower walks and worship circles will make up this weekend "back to the land" on the 400+ acres of woodland and lake within the spirit-filled place called Ronora. A few workshops, plus time to explore, relax, drum, sing and commune with nature and each other.

BONUS: Our chefs Josh and Kerry would like to offer an experience on their farm for a picnic lunch on Sunday the 20th. Pick your own organically grown Blueberries, enjoy a guided tour, intro to permaculture discussion and demonstration, as well as lunch. They are asking $25 for those who want to join them on Sunday afternoon.

Cost is $200, including 3 meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Snacks will be provided Friday evening as people arrive.

REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 9th! www.uuwomensconnection.org

Workshops:

• Wildflower Walk – led by Jenny Ross. She will put together a handout so that the walk can be self guided.  If people are interested, she will guide a walk and provide photography tips.
• Solar Cooking - led by Diana Mendelsohn. Learn to cook using the power of the sun!
• Body Care Basics - led by Gina Ruthe. Make your own hand cream using ingredients that avoid all the chemicals.
• Dyeing Workshop – Jenny Ross. Dye your own silk infinity scarf using Dharma Acid Dyes and Japanes Shibori techniques. Create your own unique hand-dyed 11” x 72” infinity scarf. These scarves are pre-sewn in a light weight silk Habotai which has a slightly shinny finish. The workshop will include an introduction to wrapped and sewn Shibori techniques and a short discussion of color theory.  We will then wrap and dye our scarves, steam them to set the color and then unwrap and dry our colorful masterpieces. $30.00 class fee (bring with you) includes all materials, although you should bring old clothes or an apron. You can view examples on my website www.whatjennymakes.com (If you are interested in experimenting with left over dyes on pieces of silk, wool or nylon that you already own, bring them with you. Items have to fit in a gallon sized zip lock bag to steam and set the dye. My dyes are not suitable for plant fibers and I do not have the mordants to make them work so no cotton, linen, or rayon.)

Schedule:

Friday 4 - 7 pm CHECK IN
Friday 8 - 9 pm OPENING CEREMONY
Friday 9 - 11 pm DRUMMING AND DANCING

Saturday 8 - 9 am BREAKFAST
Saturday 9 -10 am MORNING CIRCLE
Saturday 10 - noon WORKSHOP 1 or Free Time
Saturday noon - 1 LUNCH
Saturday 1:30 - 3:30 pm WORKSHOP 2 or Free Time
Saturday 3:30 - 6:00 pm Free Time
Saturday 6 - 7 pm DINNER
Saturday 8 - 9 pm GATHERING
Saturday 9 -11 pm DRUMMING, DANCING< SINGING... BONFIRE??

Sunday 8 - 9 am BREAKFAST
Sunday 9 - 10 am CLOSING and Farewells
Sunday 10 - noon Free Time (if you're staying for Lunch)

Sunday BONUS (+$25) LUNCH AND TOUR at Josh and Kerry's Permaculture Farm down the road from Ronora!

Photo by Karin Janowski