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"The moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise occurred.
A whole stream of events issue from the decision,
raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen
incidents and meetings and material assistance which
no man could have dreamed would have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now."
Johan Wolfgang von Goethe
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8 February
Wrekin Forum - Holding the Vision
A contemplative day of meditation, peace and reflection
at Douai Abbey, nr Reading
Contact Carol, 01243 576634, carolduncan8hl@btinternet.com
12 March
Spirit in Action
South West Regional Conference in Bristol
Contact Nigel, 07940 001394, enquiries@holisticmap.org
24-26 June
Faith, Hope, and Love in Practice
Weekend Workshop near Oxford
with Ravi Ravindra (details)
Early bird bookings before 1 April
Contact Marolyn, 01707 891286
marolyn.burgess@ntlworld.com
Collaborative Events
5 March
Christ Consciousness: Stepping into the Upper Room
with James Ashby and Janice Dolley
A collaborative day with White Eagle Lodge, CANA
(Christians Awakening to a New Awareness) and
Friends of Iona, at White Eagle Lodge, Newlands, Liss
Contact Carol, 01243 576634, carolduncan8hl@btinternet.com
25-27 March
Co-Creating in Momentous Times:
A Transforum to Explore Together What is Emerging
with Dr Jude Currivan, Gill Edwards, Peter Merry and others
A collaborative weekend with Hawkwood College (details)
Contact 01453 759034, info@hawkwoodcollege.co.uk
www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk
16 April
Evolutionary Consciousness: Exploring Vision,
Connections and Challenges of Our Time
Day Conference in Fishguard
in collaboration with Common Ground, Wales
Contact Jayne Macgregor, 01348 872895
jayne@yahoo.co.uk (details)
Local Groups
22 January
Reading Regional Forum for Contemporary Spirituality
invites you to their 2nd Annual Gathering in Reading
Contact Local Connector Heather Giles,
0118 975 2763, heathergiles@tiscali.co.uk (details)
22 January
How do we Live in a Sacred Way?
Common Ground Open Forum
in Letterston, Pembrokeshire
Contact Don or Jayne, 01348 872895, jayne@yahoo.co.uk
25 January
Wrekin Forum Spiritual Cafe Group
North East Midlands
10 weekly meetings discussing spiritual issues
7.30 pm Tuesdays starting 25 January
Lilac Cottage, Wiseton, Doncaster
Contact Andrew Bell, 01777 817835
andrewbell178@btinternet.com
2 February
Wrekin Forum Spiritual Café Group
The Fold, Bransford, Worcs
A Baha'i Approach to Spirituality
with Peter Hume
Contact Claire, 01886 884888
clairemcdonald62@msn.com
2 March
Wrekin Forum Spiritual Cafe Group
The Fold, Bransford, Worcs
Conscious Walking of the Land
for Personal and Planetary Healing
with Fiona Hopes
Contact Claire, 01886 884888
clairemcdonald62@msn.com
5 March
Who or What has Inspired our Spiritual Journey?
Common Ground Open Forum
Letterston, Pembrokeshire
Contact Don or Jayne 01348 872895, jayne@yahoo.co.uk
12 March
Hastings and Rother Regional Round Table
with Jane Ozanne in Bexhill
Contact Marie Miller 01424 214327
maelmi40@btinternet.com
Wrekin Forum Associates
For events at Findhorn Foundation College
Contact 01309 690311, www.findhorn.org
22 January
Alchemy - Turning Lead into Gold
Day Workshop with Edwin Courtney
at St Michaels, Ewell
Contact Carole Humber 020 8337 4122
carole@sanctuaryofsophia.eclipse.co.uk
27 January
Meditation for Everyone
New Meditation Class in Sunderland
Thursday evenings 27 Jan-3 Mar
Contact Janette, 0191 422 3088
janette@sacredlife.co.uk
www.sacredlife.co.uk
1 February
Silent Meditation at the Well Head
followed by a sharing and Conversation Café
at Chalice Well, Glastonbury
FREE entry to gardens between 10-12 noon
Contact: info@chalicewell.org.uk
2 February
What is the Enneagram?
- Through Personality to Spirit
Talk by Karen Webb
Buttercup Connections, Great Malvern
Contact 01684 893697
buttercupconnections@hotmail.com
4 February
An Evening with Gary Mannion
International Psychic Surgeon
at St Michaels, Ewell
Afternoon healing appointments available
Contact Denise 0208 224 6417
4 February
Spirituality and the Arts
Video and discussion
AHS Chesterfield Group
Contact Mike 07790 757955
mike@mikerush.nadsl.net
5 February
Spiritual Journeying Workshop
with Carol Lewis in Weymouth
Contact Carol, 01305 773199,
carolathome@homecall.co.uk
5 February
Shamanic Journeying
with Shirley Flint at St Michaels, Ewell
Contact 07889 018713
Shirleyflint789@googlemail.com
10 February
Taoism and Christianity -
A Similar Approach to Healing
with Peter Bevan
Buttercup Connections, Great Malvern
Contact 01684 893697
buttercupconnections@hotmail.com
10 February
What Near-Death Experiences can teach us
about Everyday Life
Talk with Dr Ornella Corazza
AHS London Group, London W8
Contact John Franklin 020 8858 4750
johnfranklin35@hotmail.com
www.alisterhardyreligiousexperience.co.uk
12 February
An Introduction to Celtic Mythology
afternoon talk with Ken Rees
at the Fintry Trust, near Godalming
Contact Julie Parker, 01428 682621
shrine@btinternet.com
16 February
What can I do to help the World?
H-A energy channelled through Tony Neate
Buttercup Connections, Great Malvern
Contact 01684 893697
buttercupconnections@hotmail.com
17 February
An evening with Leo Rutherford
from the Eagle's Wing College of
Shamanic Medicine
at Inspired Events, Reading
www.inspired-events.com
19 February
Psychic Development Level 1
One-day workshop in Wallingford, Oxon
with Jan Reid and Laura Payne
Contact Jan, 0776 993 6500 or
Laura, 0796 135 7685,
www.begoodtoyourselves.co.uk
23 February
The Nutrition Gap - How it Impacts on our Health
Talk by Amanda Williams
Buttercup Connections, Great Malvern
Contact 01684 893697
buttercupconnections@hotmail.com
3 March
A Journey Through the Archetypal Dreamworld -
in Search of the Soul
Talk by Raine Page
Buttercup Connections, Great Malvern
Contact 01684 893697
buttercupconnections@hotmail.com
4 March
If God is a Delusion - Why Bother?
Presentation by Mike Rush
AHS Chesterfield Group
Contact Mike 07790 757955
mike@mikerush.nadsl.net
7 March
An evening with Jason Chan
author of The Radiant Warrior
creator of Infinite Tai Chi
at Inspired Events, Reading
www.inspired-events.com
19 March
The Way of Transformation
Poetry Day in Charmouth
with Janet Lake and Norah Henschel
Contact Janet 01297 561294
iona16@hotmail.co.uk
19 March
Drama and the Soul
afternoon talk with Julia Cousins
at the Fintry Trust near Godalming
Contact Julie Parker, 01428 682621
shrine@btinternet.com
20 March
Towards the One: Coming Down to Earth
Mayflower Conference in Oxford with
Dr Jeremy Naydler, Dr Andrew Powell,
and Dr Roger Woolger
Led by Clare Goodrick-Clark (details)
Contact Jane May, 01865 407680 or
Marigold Hutton, 01865 407490
janedmay@btinternet.com
25-27 March
Laughter Retreat: Explore the mind/spirit
connections through laughter
with Joe Hoare at Chalice Well, Glastonbury
Contact info@chalicewell.org.uk
www.chalicewell.org.uk
31 March
A Journey to the Centre
by Margaret Rizza
AHS London Group, London W8
Contact John Franklin 020 8858 4750
johnfranklin35@hotmail.com
www.alisterhardyreligiousexperience.co.uk
9 April
A New Image of the Cosmos:
A New Image of Ourselves
A Day of Exploration with
Anne Baring and Dr Jude Currivan
in London SW7
The Woolger Institute for Psyche and
Spiritual Traditions. Contact 01865 407996
woolger.uk@talk21.com
www.deepmemoryprocess.com
6 May
Consciousness, Synchonicity and
the Law of Attraction
with David Lorimer
evening talk in Bosham (details)
Contact The Hamblin Trust, 01243 572109,
office@thehamblinvision.org.uk
www.thehamblintrust.org.uk
13-16 May
This Sacred Realm
A Mayflower pilgrimage study tour visiting
Glastonbury, Wells, Priddy and Stanton Drew
Contact Jane May 01865 407680 or
Marigold Hutton 01865 407490
janedmay@btinternet.com (details)_______________________________________________________________
The Wrekin Forum is open to the exploration of spirituality
and welcomes a diversity of views; the views of individual presenters
are not necessarily those of the Wrekin Trust.
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Dear Friends
This is the time for new beginnings when we look back to the "old" year which has passed and forward to the "new" year which has just started. Whilst we know that to live in the now is the most important thing, we also need these times of stocktaking and reflection, of clearing the débris which has accumulated in our homes, on our desks, and in our lives. Sometimes such catching up times can reveal tasks to be completed, or treasures which have been overlooked.
Many of the major shifts and changes which took place during 2010 have yet to be fully worked through and faced, and many people speak of ACCEPTANCE as the keynote for the coming year. The Serenity Prayer (thought to have been written by Reinhold Niebuhr) asks: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
For it is also a time for formulating those intentions which will shape what is to come. When we act from the heart (le coeur) with courage, we set in motion the power of seed ideas which attract what is necessary for their fulfilment. However we need to be aware of where these intentions are coming from. Are they from "little me" or from a higher source, from the true "I AM", and do we have the wisdom to know the difference? What new beginnings are you making this January? What intentions will shape the course of the year for you?
Within the Wrekin Trust our intention this year is to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our founding by Sir George Trevelyan in 1971. This means looking back over the years with both gratitude and a critical eye, reconnecting with the vision, seeing how things have moved forward and how we must change to serve the needs of the time. During the past few years we have been learning how to "dance on a moving carpet" (to quote Janice Dolley!) and with the principle of emergence, adapting our structure and form to suit new circumstances.
We look forward to working ever more closely with colleagues and companions in the year ahead on the great "adventure of our time".
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"Out of the confusion of a crumbling society will emerge
individuals who are touched by higher guidance.
These will inevitable flow together with others of like inspiration,
and a new quality of society will begin to form.
This is the true adventure of our time."
Sir George Trevelyan, Bt
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| Message from Janice | |
"There is an endless net of threads throughout the universe;
the horizontal threads are in space, the vertical threads are in time.
At every crossing of the threads there is an individual,
and every individual is a crystal bead.
The great light of the Absolute Being illuminates and penetrates
every crystal bead, and every crystal bead reflects,
not only the light from every other crystal bead in the net,
but also every other reflection throughout the entire universe."
The Rig Veda
This is how the ancient wisdom keepers saw the universe, and it is only now that we are grasping the reality of the 'living matrix' in which each of us is intimately interconnected with all the other 'crystal beads'.
Being conscious of this, living in a way that reflects this consciousness, and taking up our role as co-creators of a conscious evolutionary way forward is our path during 2011 and 2012. The role of the Forum is to provide the events and connections that will support this.
Do join us to take these thoughts further into generating a new reality at the Transforum on "Co-Creating in Momentous Times" on 25-27 March (click here for details).
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"Evolution has become conscious of itself and what it wants,
and what it wants is wholeness.
And that is an extraordinary place to find yourself."
Ken Wilber |
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New President for the Wrekin Trust |
We have much pleasure in welcoming David Lorimer as the new President of the Wrekin Trust, following the well-earned retirement of Hertha Larive. Hertha served over many years as both Trustee and President, and we should like to express our sincere appreciation of her many contributions to the work of the Wrekin Trust.
David Lorimer is well known to many of you and in the past has held the positions of Chair of Trustees and Executive Vice President. We look forward to the continuing benefit of his wise counsel on strategic matters. |
"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.
We are spiritual beings on a human journey."
Stephen Covey |
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Subscription Renewals |
We shall shortly be sending out reminders to associates that annual subscriptions to the Wrekin Forum are now due. If you would like to save us the expense of writing to you, please would you download the renewal form and send it to us as soon as possible.
If you have signed up to receive this newsletter and enjoy reading it, why not join the Wrekin family and become an associate. The annual subscription is £40 for an organisation, £25 for an individual, or whatever you can afford. We are a registered charity and rely on subscriptions and donations to cover our running expenses. Every little helps! Please click here to download an application form or contact connect@wrekinforum.org |
"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time."
T S Eliot |
| | Evolutionary Consciousness - Round Table 2010 | |
"The Round Table was characterized by thinking out of the box, depth of heart, and a strong spiritual current that sustained through the sessions. The participants drew closer together and found friends in a common mission."
We have received a splendid report with photographs of the Round Table in October from our good friend David Karchere who was one of the main speakers. The report was published in the Journal of THE CREATIVE FIELD, and if you would like to see it in full, please click here.
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Some men see things the way they are and ask, "Why?"
I dream things that never were, and ask "Why not?"
George Bernard Shaw |
| | Spirit in Action - Bristol Conference | |
As part of the Wrekin Trust's 40th anniversary and in collaboration with the Foundation for Holistic Spirituality and the emerging Holistic Hub for Contemporary Spirituality in Bristol, we are holding a one day conference on 'Spirit in Action' in Bristol on Saturday 12 March. Professor Ursula King will be the keynote speaker. Please pass this on to any friends in the south west area. Details from enquiries@holisticmap.org. |
"Nothing liberates our greatness like
the desire to help, the desire to serve."
Marianne Williamson
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| What is your Religion? HOLISTIC | |
On 27 March the next Census will be conducted in the UK, and we will all be asked this question. Many people find it difficult to express the nature of their spirituality by simply ticking a box, as they have developed an approach which is inclusive and diverse, with a deep respect for the beauty of nature and a knowledge that it is our responsibility to care for the wellbeing of all life on Earth and build a sustainable, just, and harmonious world.
There are many words that could be used in the Census box, but the way in which the statistics are interpreted requires that we use the same word if we are to have any influence. If enough of us put the word HOLISTIC into the box marked "Any other religion" it will be a crucial step forward in achieving a voice and representation for those spiritual approaches which are currently unrecognised and unrepresented alongside the traditional faiths.
HOLISTIC is shorthand for an open-hearted, open-minded approach that includes all spiritual paths. It recognises that everything is connected and celebrates diversity. www.holisticmap.org
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"To be of service in the world today,
we must stand in a place of calm steadiness.
In the midst of the storm, we must take time
to look beyond to the mountains and the stars,
the ancestors and the descendents and just
appreciate the vastness of the world and
of time and cosmos in which we live.
Whatever happens tomorrow,
the sun will rise, clouds will form,
rain will fall, and life goes on.
We will love and create,
our inner power undimmed,
our spirit as Sacred as ever."
David Spangler
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| | Job Opportunity at Oasis | |
Our associates the Oasis School of Human Relations are looking for an administrative assistant to work in their office in Boston Spa, West Yorkshire. They are seeking an enthusiastic, reliable and organised person with a track record in administration and the ability to work on their own initiative, to ensure the smooth running of courses at the centre - setting up, arranging meetings and room hire, managing schedules and looking after visitors.
For further information telephone Samantha on 01937 541700 or email samantha@oasishumanrelations.org.uk. The closing date is 7 February 2011.
http://www.oasishumanrelations.org.uk |
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The Significance of Stillness
"The ability to be very still is foundational to the spiritual path,
because it is the perennial portal that gives us access to the
dimension of ourselves and of life itself that has always
been the source of traditional enlightenment.
In learning how to be still, you are choosing to take a position
of standing for and expressing that deepest part of yourself -
that empty no-place before the beginning of time,
before anything ever happened.
That formless Ground of Being is always the
deepest dimension of who we all are, and it is
the ultimate source and wellspring of all that is.
In that Ground, nothing ever moves, because
there is no time, no form, no subject or object.
There is only One, eternally at rest and at peace.
So through assuming the inner and outer
position of stillness, you are bearing
witness to that deepest part of yourself
in the world of time and space."
Andrew Cohen
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| | Book Review Corner |
HOPE FOR HUMANITY:
How Understanding and Healing Trauma Could Save the Planetary Crisis
Malcolm Hollick and Christine Connelly
O Books (pub 25 February 2011)
"A searing and profound tour de force taking the reader on a rollercoaster of despair and hope through the history of human trauma and resilience. The book is a Herculean achievement not only in terms of its extraordinary scope but also for the courage and tenacity of the authors in delving into a darker side of the human journey. No reader will remain untouched. A shattering but ultimately hopeful read." David Lorimer
Have you read an interesting book recently, and would like to tell others about it? If you think it would also interest readers of this newsletter, do please send us the details together with a short review and we may be able to feature it in Book Review Corner. |
"I salute you.
I am your friend, and my love for you goes deep.
There is nothing I can give you which you have not.
But there is much, very much, that,
while I cannot give it, you can take.
No heaven can come to us unless
our hearts find rest in it today.
Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future which
is not hidden in this present little instant.
Take peace!
The gloom of the world is but a shadow.
Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy.
There is radiance and glory in darkness,
could we but see.
And to see, we have only to look.
I beseech you to look!"
Fra Giovanni
Written on Christmas Eve, 1513
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WELCOME TO OUR MAILING LIST!
If you have enjoyed reading this newsletter and would like to become part of an active Forum for Contemporary Spirituality, why not support the work of the Wrekin Forum by becoming an Associate. For further information, please click here or contact connect@wrekinforum.org. |
The next issue of News&Views is due out in March
Whilst we regret that we are unable to undertake individual mailings on behalf of associates, we are more than happy to consider the inclusion of items of interest and details of forthcoming events in this newsletter.
Please note that these must be received by 1 March at the latest for inclusion in the next issue. |
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Courtyard Lodge, Mellow Farm, Hawcross Lane
Redmarley d'Abitot, Gloucestershire, GL19 3JQ
01452 840033
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