As I write this, the Elderwomen series described on this blog is coming to an end. Ten of us met on a monthly basis beginning in September 2010, braving this exceptionally cold, snowy, and ice-coated Northeastern winter. What a hearty, intrepid, and wise group of women! While the gatherings are coming to an end (a beginning!), there may be green off-shoot groups growing, after we experience our March Initiation. “Initiation,” after all, means beginning. So keep an eye on this blog to see what is offered next.
You may also wish to see the February Elderwoman newsletter published by my friend Marian. In it she describes the Spring flowers which are already appearing near her home in England. Spring carries especially rich symbolism after a hard Winter. Rebirth, resurrection, renewal.
The above photo of emerging snowdrops was taken in my garden on March 7, 2010. Dream on it! What tender green shoots of hope, life, and endeavor are waiting to emerge in your life, or in the wider world?
Growing Older, Growing Wiser: Becoming an Elderwoman ~ For women 55 and older
Second Tuesday of each month, September 14, 2010 – March 8, 2011, 7 – 9 PM, Chatham, NY
Despite what the media and our cultural heritage tell us, our Third Age can be liberating, empowering, and full of wit and wisdom. It is a time of life when we can truly be ourselves, and celebrate it! This seven-month series offers a safe space and time for sharing our stories, feelings, and dreams; for music, writing, and artwork; and for developing spiritually and discovering a wider sense of self. The series will end with a ritual and tools for planning your initiation as Elderwomen.
The registration deadline is September 7th. Register now to reserve your spot;
this will be a small group. Donation: Sliding scale ~ for the seven-part series, $35 – $70.
Click on the link below to download a Registration Brochure in pdf format.
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Also of Note:
Special Guest: Marian Van Eyk McCain
Marian Van Eyk McCain
Marian Van Eyk McCain, author of Elderwoman: Reap the Wisdom – Feel the Power – Embrace the Joy, will speak for Sanctuary Without Walls on Sunday, September 12th, 2010, at 2 PM, here in Columbia County, NY. Marion writes fiction (The Bird Menders) as well as her marvelous books on simplifying one’s life (The Lilypad List: 7 Steps to the Simple Life) and women’s health and spirituality (Transformation Through Menopause). Her most recent book is GreenSpirit: Path to a New Consciousness, which she edited. This collection of diverse voices reveals deep thinking on the connections between ecology and spirituality. All are welcome to attend this event. Please RSVP so that we will have enough seats for everyone. And please share this message with your friends. Marian rarely travels by plane (she lives in England) because of the environmental impact of jet travel, so we’re fortunate to have time with her. Save the date!
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Marian Van Eyk McCain
Marian Van Eyk McCain, author of Elderwoman: Reap the Wisdom – Feel the Power – Embrace the Joy, will speak on Sunday, September 12th, 2010, at 2 PM, upstairs in the Community Room at Chatham Real Food Market Co-op. (Please note that the Co-op is not open for business on Sundays.)
Marian’s most recent book is GreenSpirit: Path to a New Consciousness, which she edited. This collection of diverse voices reveals deep thinking on the connections between ecology and spirituality. All are welcome to attend this event, which is sponsored by Sanctuary Without Walls.
Please RSVP so that we will have enough seats for everyone. And please share this message with your friends. Marian rarely travels by plane (she lives in England) because of the environmental impact of jet travel, so we’re fortunate to have time with her. Save the date!
Marion also writes fiction (The Bird Menders) as well as her marvelous books on simplifying one’s life (The Lilypad List: 7 Steps to the Simple Life) and women’s health and spirituality (Transformation Through Menopause).
Last year at a conference, I overheard a woman saying that the book Elderwoman was her “bible” on aging and spirituality. Marian’s visit in September will take place just days before the beginning of Sanctuary Without Wall’s seven-part monthly series for women 55 and older: Growing Older, Growing Wiser: Becoming an Elderwoman. Marian’s book is one of the resources used in planning this series for women.
People of all ages / genders are welcome to attend her talk on September 12th. To RSVP or for more information, contact info@sanctuarywithoutwalls.org.
“Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.” Eleanor Roosevelt
We stand at a time when the world is in need of wisdom, especially the wisdom of the Elders. Growing Older, Growing Wiser: Becoming an Elderwoman is a seven-part event designed to lead us thoughtfully, consciously, and joyfully into our Third Age. We will look deeply at our lives so far; discover (and re-discover) those things that are life- and energy-giving for us; separate the grain from the chaff; and step forward into our role as Elderwomen, which will be unique to each of us.
Join us for this important and life-affirming journey. For women, age 55 and older, meeting in Columbia County, NY. Second Tuesday of each month, September 14, 2010 through March 8, 2011.
The suggested donation is based on a sliding scale: $35 – $70 for the entire series of seven meetings.
This Elderwoman group will be kept intentionally small. Register now to reserve your spot. For a registration form, write to info (at) sanctuarywithoutwalls (dot) org. The brochure is also included below as a pdf.
“I like the metaphor of the thousand-mile river. It passes through time zones and climate changes occur along its path. Responding to the changing climate, the trees, shrubbery and vegetation along the riverbank change also. But it is the same water responsible for nourishing every bit of growth. There are spiritual waters, call it the River of Reverence, that nourishes all of us who grope for understanding on a journey that will last all our lives and beyond.” Norman Lear
