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The Gathering Inn
Women Helping Women September 1, 2011 |
Greetings!
Okay. We did it again. Another tremendously huge newsletter!But there are so many exciting things coming up at the Inn in the next few months that we just couldn't hold any of it back!New classes, workshops, retreats, people to meet and ideas to mull over - plus returning monthly favorites, roadtrips and old friends to greet. Speaking of friends to greet, click on over to The Community Vine and read about the heart of the Inn, Merry Cole, and the dream that led her to opening A Women's Spiritual Center and Retreat House, written by our own Cheryl Thompson. But don't forget to come back here to this newsletter! There's too much too miss! |
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Dedication of the Memorial Meditation Garden ~ Sept. 18
Thanks to the generous contributions of many friends of the Inn, the Memorial Meditation Garden will be dedicated on Sunday, Sept. 18th, at 1 PM. Family and friends of the women being honored will participate in the dedication ceremony and we would welcome anyone else who cares to join us and acknowledge the great heritage of our foremothers.
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FREE Events:
Movie Night ~ September 9, 6:30pm
Note the date change! Come watch "The Miracle Worker" with us. "Ennobling and uplifting, this inspirational story of courage and hope is one of the finest works of art in the history of motion pictures." How can you miss this!?
Potluck & Guest Speaker ~ September 14, 6:30pm
Come on over with a dish to share and learn about Naturopathic Medicine, a whole-person approach to health, from Dr. Esther Perreault. Please give us a call to let us know you're attending.
Book Discussion ~ September 25, 9am-Noon
Join us Sunday morning while we discuss " The Alphabet vs. the Goddess" by Leonard Shlain. "Literacy has promoted the subjugation of women by men throughout all but the very recent history of the West," writes Leonard Shlain. "Misogyny and patriarchy rise and fall with the fortunes of the alphabetic written word." Let the controversy begin! Potluck & Guest Speaker ~ October 12, 6:30pm
Come on over with a dish to share and learn about Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing, from Jacqueline Sullivan of Red Fern Reiki and Massage Therapy. (Jacqueline will also be giving a Reiki certification workshop November 5-6.) Please give us a call to let us know you're attending.
While all of these events are FREE, a donation to the Inn would be greatly appreciated. And tax-deductible!
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Opening the Heart Workshop~ September 25
 Balance, heal and transform! Heart's path healing classes bring together polarity energy principles and bodywork, heart centered yoga, guided meditations, and group processes for an amazing experience of profound healing and personal transformation. Offered by Beth Goldstein of the Polarity Barn and www.heartspathhealing.com If you missed Beth when she was here before, you don't want to miss her now. Register early. Get the details and get registered! |
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Kairos Living in a Chronos World ~ October 14-16
Joan Borysenko says "In Greek, chronos means "clock time". Kairos means "the eternal present". Now is where chronos and kairos meet, creating a space of limitless possibility. Greek Orthodox priest Killistos Ware, says "The present moment is where time touches eternity."
Do you sometimes feel like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland- with the clock dictating how fast you move, where you go, what you do? In what ways does your relationship with time impact the quality of your daily life? How might your life be different if you could break free from this bondage to clock time?
Join us for a weekend of sacred time. Discover how to break free from the limitations of time by learning to live life on the basis of eternity, rather than the temporal man-made standards of the world.
Get the details!
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Night Sky Stargazing Series
Constellation Recognition & Mythology, Friday, Sept. 30, 7:00-9:30pm
Meteor Shower, Wednesday, November 16, 7:00-8:30 PM
Winter Solstice Celebration, Wednesday, December 21, 6:30-9:30 PM
Are you fascinated with the stars? Would you like to be more knowledgeable about the constellations? Do you know the mythology connected to the stars?
This exciting new series, facilitated by Gathering Inn regular, Tina Morin, is offering three opportunities to get out under the night skies and experience the magic and power of the stars while learning a bit more about our universe.
Make a great weekend this Fall by staying overnight and attending the Native American Medicine Wheel workshop the next day. Call 978-820-1139 and we'll set it up for you! |
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Taking it on the Road
The Gathering Inn will have a booth at two big events this September and we'd love to have you come by to visit and support us. September 10th, 11 AM - 4 PM. Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce's Working Women's Committee's 9th Annual Family Fest at the Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA. Hayrides, crafters, music, exhibitors, petting zoo, kids games, and family fun. September 24-25th - Spirit of Change's Natural Living Expo at the Sturbridge Host Hotel! New England's largest holistic event with 75 workshops and 135 exhibits. Don't miss us at Booth #37.
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Fall Yoga in the Studio
On-going: All Level Hatha Yoga: This popular class with Jen Baum continues on Mondays at 7pm. (find out more.)Something New: Moving Mantras: Music, Movement, Spiritual Practice with Phyllis Pomerleau begins Tuesday, September 13th, at both 9:00-10:00 AM or 7:00-8:00 PM. September 13th introductory class is free! This 8-week class will strengthen and stretch your body while getting you in touch with your soul. Sacred chants, attunement with your own inner rhythms, experience harmony and unity with universal vibrations, optimize physical benefits. (find out more.) Yoga for Healing with Phyllis Pomerleau begins September 15th at 7:00-8:15 PM. We are all healing on some level, whether psychologically, emotionally or physically. This class will incorporate restorative yoga, gentle movement, breath work, imagery and meditation. Come relax, refresh, renew, and allow natural healing to take place. (find out more.) |
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Basic Knitting ~ Beginning September 19th * 10-11:30 AM
For beginners or women with some beginning knitting experience.
Learn to knit with Dana C. Lorway, Proprietor of The Good Good Sheep, a knitting shop in Hudson, MA.
Choose from a variety of projects [Cowl, Shawl, Sampler scarf, Cell phone holder, Socks, Hat.] Dana has the kits for all these projects.
This age-old craft has made a resurgence in recent years, not only for its practical applications, but for its value as a meditative, mindful practice.
A quick look on Amazon reveals how well knitting is connected to meditation and spirituality. "The repetitive, rhythmic character of knitting is as much an ideal contemplative activity as is bead-telling ( such a praying the Rosary) or chanting," says Publisher's Weekly in its review of "Mindful Knitting: Inviting Contemplative Practice to the Craft". Get the details and contact information. |
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Take a Look at Our Nook - Opening October 1
On October 1st we will be opening our new Gift Nook. We will have items from various local artists including woven items, hand made journals, jewelry, and much more. Come in and get some Holiday presents checked off your list or just something yummy for yourself.
The Gift Nook will usually be open during regular office hours and most events at the Inn, or by appointment. To be sure, call ahead at 978-820-1139 and leave a message for our Gift Nook Manager, Shari Fife. |
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Native American Medicine Wheel Workshop ~ October 1
Led by Les Eagle Wind Lambert.
 The Medicine Wheel, originating from Native American traditions, represents the sacred circle of life. While Working to build a permanent large outdoor Medicine Wheel, we will learn, among many other lessons how it helps to bring clarity and new perspectives to all areas of our lives.
An optional Saturday evening potluck dinner and drumming circle, as well as overnight accommodations, are also available to make this event a true weekend retreat.
Find out more and get registered!
To get the most enjoyment from your weekend, plan to attend the Stargazing event Friday evening and then stay overnight for a front row seat on Saturday morning. (The Stargazing event is offered independently by Tina Morin and is not part of the Medicine Wheel workshop.)
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Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk ~ Oct. 23rd
How far will you go to end breast cancer? Saving lives from breast cancer starts one team, one walker, and one dollar at a time. Join us, and together we will create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.
Join The Gathering Inn Team, help us meet our goal, promote our Inn, get the T-shirt!
Get more information, join the team or make a donation. Or ALL OF THE ABOVE!
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Level 1 Reiki Certificate Training Weekend ~ November 5-6
Receive training from Jacqueline Sullivan, LMT/RMT, of Red Fern Reiki and Massage Therapy of Shrewsbury, that will allow you to help increase overall health for yourself and others. Reiki is now the most widely used & fastest growing complementary therapy in the U.S. Find out more and get registered. Note: Jacqueline will be our guest speaker at our Free Potluck Dinner on Wednesday, October 12th, at 6:30 PM. |
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| So many opportunities to learn, to grow, to connect. Won't you take advantage of them? And of course, don't forget that our primary mission is to provide individual women like YOU a place to retreat from the world, be in stillness and tranquility, and re-connect to your spiritual core.
We can't wait to see you at the Inn!
Sincerely,
Barbara Leclerc
The Gathering Inn |
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Merry's Musings
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Walls: Keeping Things In or Out?
Last month I spent some time thinking about foundations... that's where the progress of my new house construction was. This month, I bet you can figure out I am thinking about walls. And as I'm sitting here, with what is left of Hurricane Irene blowing her darnedest outside these temporarily rented walls, I'm very glad for their protection.
But walls are funny things. You can either wall something IN for its protection (like all the lawn furniture I tucked away yesterday) or you can also wall something IN to keep it from escaping.
I can wall OUT the wind and rain for my protection, or I can wall OUT people who would seek to grow closer to me or who would offer me assistance and support, or who want something from me I'm not prepared to give. That's when you need wisdom and discernment to know if you are merely setting good self-care boundaries, or are you building a wall?
Read more
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