2010 Summer WomanSpirit

August 6-8, 2010
Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center in Watervliet, Michigan

[PRINTABLE BROCHURE (PDF)]       [ONLINE REGISTRATION]

SCHEDULE

(Please note we will be on Michigan time (EDT)

NOTE:

Check the Message Board (Located in the dining area - NEAR THE EAST DOOR) to leave a note for friends or see what they may be doing during free time (swimming, hiking, etc).  A 12-Step meeting is usually posted also.

Summer WomanSpirit Details

Spirit — We all have so many things for which we are grateful, and each one is a viable seed to plant and nurture, allowing others to share in the labors which created the seeds.  Summer WomanSpirit 2010, “Sowing Seeds of Gratitude,” will take a special look at the gratitude we have towards the Earth and all she provides.  We will also look at things for which we are grateful on a personal level, sharing what we are comfortable sharing and learning how those around us perceive their own gratitude.

Nature -- We invite you to take time to enjoy and explore Ronora Lodge's beautiful 400+ acres. Trails are available for hiking and bird watching. You may swim in the lake at your own risk; no lifeguards are on duty. Children and maidens must always be under adult supervision while swimming.

Lodging -- Accommodations at Ronora Lodge are simple, COMFORTABLE, and BEAUTIFUL. The setting is quiet and serene. You can commune with nature and the elements. Accommodations include tenting and cabins, with hot showers and flush toilets. There are no private baths available. Please bring your own sheets and towels! And check the list of suggested items to bring.

First Aid -- First aid is available at Ronora. We will have supplies at the Registration table. Watervliet Community Hospital and doctors are two miles away, in Watervliet.

Accessibility -- Some areas of Ronora Lodge have limited accessibility.  Campground terrain is beautiful, yet naturally uneven. Please let the Registrar, Pat Reed, know what your capabilities and accessibility needs are so we can plan ahead.

Childcare -- Childcare is available for children up to 6 years old, during workshops and Saturday morning ritual only. The fee is $25.00 per child for the weekend. We love our children and we also know that they can, at times, be a distraction to others, so children will be allowed in workshops and rituals only with the facilitators’ prior approval. Small children must eat each meal with adult supervision.

Note: With everyone's best interest in mind, we respectfully request that boys over five years of age not attend WomanSpirit.

Maidens -- Young women 13 and older, please fill out your own registration form and sign up for workshops! Between the ages of 6 and 12, please indicate your age on your mother or guardian's form to receive information on the special youth maiden activities!

Provisions -- Ronora Lodge's chef and staff prepare all meals.  Delicious and plentiful, both non-vegetarian and vegetarian fare is served buffet style in the dining hall three times daily. Please note on the registration form any food allergies or special dietary needs you may have. Gluten-free meals are available for a small extra charge.

Vendors -- Remember to bring spending money! Some accept credit cards and personal checks and some do not. Much of the Goddess wear, spiritual jewels and other arts can only be found at these weekends, so don't hesitate to take advantage and enjoy yourself! If you would like to vend, contact Vendor Chair Jessica Hunsberger by June 15, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ceremonies -- Bring your favorite ritual wear! This can be as extravagant, flamboyant, colorful or as simple as you prefer. Please feel free to bring your goddess robes, drums and fetishes to your heart's delight. Wear anything you just LOVE but feel you can't wear anywhere else. The important thing is that you feel wonderful as you connect with nature and your inner spirit! Please remember to bring your flashlights with you to the evening ceremonies.  There is minimal outdoor lighting at Ronora after dark. It will help light your way safely back to your cabin.

Coffee House -- We will have informal coffee house style entertainment on Saturday night to give you an opportunity to share your talents. We welcome dancers, singers, comedians, poets, musicians, mimes, and all performing arts - as well as anything else you think you'd like to perform for our mutual enjoyment. Each act will be limited to 6 minutes. Do provide your own props, if needed. Sign up on the registration form or on the schedule in Chadwicke Hall prior to Saturday evening ceremonies.

Giveaway Blanket -- There is magic in true gratitude, and in giving. And there is magic in Ronora. In this place, at this time, we all give a great deal to each other. Inspiration. Laughter. A gentle hug or deep insight. but all of us cannot give back to everyone. So, the giveaway blanket will gift us all. Your gift will go to the person who needs it. The magic will work. Then, later, when each of us reveals the importance of the gift we have given away, we will teach each other gratitude. And the Sacred Beings will be pleased.  This is a Native American tradition that you will hear more about in camp. Bring a small, personally meaningful gift, perhaps something you already own, wrapped in newspaper or in a plain paper bag with your name on the inside. These items will be placed on the blanket to be chosen. The young children will have their own blanket!

Altar -- The altar in the main dining area will be an integral part of our weekend. Everyone is invited to share in this tradition. Place something  on it that’s symbolic, something that inspires your spirituality. Remember these will be in the common area throughout the retreat.

Silent Auction -- Our annual silent auction benefits the Women & Religion scholarship fund. We encourage donations of items; things you've made, new and gently used clothing, books and other items.  There is always a wonderful variety. On Sunday morning, we will
determine who has the highest bid for each item, and that person will be responsible for her promised bid.

Scholarships -- Each year donations are accepted for the scholarship fund. To donate, please
indicate the amount in the space provided on the registration form. The W&R Committee also contributes to this fund to help more women attend. To request a scholarship, please write your explanation on the registration form and get it in early!  Full text of the policy is available on our website (www.womenandreligion.org) or from the registrar. Recipients remain anonymous. Registration with request MUST BE POSTMARKED by July 1, 2010.

Ronora Rules -- Ronora Lodge is a Nature Preserve, and WomanSpirit is a time for each of us to nurture our spirits: please be respectful of the land, of the gifts that Mother Earth has provided, and of other guests. Summer WomanSpirit is an alcohol- and drug-free event. Quiet time is 10:00 pm. A recycling system is set up for food and paper goods at each meal. Complete rules are available at Ronora. In the spirit of cooperation, everyone helps with kitchen cleanup and setting up the tables in Chadwicke Hall between meals and ceremonies.

Directions -- Take I-94 to the Watervliet/Niles Michigan Exit #41. Go North through Watervliet on M140 to Dwight Boyer Road (about 3 miles). Turn right on Dwight Boyer Road. Ronora Lodge is on the left about half a mile down, and it is marked by a sign. Maps will be included in your confirmation packets. Also check Ronora's website, www.ronoralodge.com.

What to Bring -- Remember to bring any extra camping related supplies. Weather permitting, some activities will be held outdoors. Please try to anticipate your personal needs. We'll have a few toiletries available just in case.  For a current weather forecast, see www.ronoralodge.com.

The Mission of the Unitarian Universalist Association's Central Midwest District Women and Religion Committee is to support women in their search for the Inner Feminine Divine in an atmosphere of connectedness, safety, and joy. Nine women are chosen from a wide geographic area to represent women in the District. W&R sponsors two annual retreats. Other services include the “W&R Roadshow,” presenting woman-focused Sunday services at churches around the District. Women who have previously served on the W&R Committee comprise our “Wise Woman Council.” More information and retreat updates are on our web site: www.womenandreligion.org.

Morning Workshops  10:30 AM - 12:15 PM

101. She Changes Everything She Touches - Christine Poortenga

The Goddess is alive!  She dwells within each of us.  Journey to your inner garden to harvest the seeds we have sown.  Come, rejoice and celebrate.  Bring a "bangy" thing.  (This class is for adults only.) Christine, Valley Crone, is a tree hugging, dirt loving, mud witch. She loves to plant, nurture and harvest seeds of all kinds.

102. Hand Painted Silk Scarves - Lee Breeggemann

Hand paint or tie dye a 35" square silk scarf, perfect for dancing, rituals or just floating about.  They will be ready to wear Saturday night!  Please bring a $4 fee for materials to the workshop. Lee is a knitter, spinner, weaver, dyer and reliability engineer.  She lives with her wife Birch and their 2 1/2 year old daughter, Wren, whom we hope will be coming to Ronora again!

103. Daily Journaling for Daily Grace - Lynn Kornecki

Writing helps you reframe, renew and refocus your mind, body and spirit in positive ways. Discover which type of journaling best suits your unique interests and personality. Bring a spiral notebook, scissors and glue stick. Lynn is an award-winning writer with a focus in the field of health.

104. Making Ritual, Creating Ceremony - Tracy Burchett

This workshop will give you tools and ideas to create your own ritual or ceremony. Learn principles of ritual, including: clearing space, altar building, symbols, movement and music. Tracy is a librarian, freelance writer and musician.  She has done coursework in ritual studies at the University of Notre Dame and has written rituals for her own and others’ use.

Youth Maidens Activities (6-12 years) - Diana Mendelsohn

Maidens will walk in beauty and learn to play and be in harmony with nature. First, we will take in the wildflowers and learn the names of the trees during a nature hike. Next, we will work with clay, making a toad abode or perhaps a wind chime. Starting up the solar cooker, we will learn the basics of solar cooking. We'll fill the tins with brownie and corn muffins and see how long it takes for the sun to cook our food.

Afternoon Workshops  1:30 PM -   3:15 PM

201. Short and Sweet Yoga - Kim Sellers  (1:30-2:30)

Yoga is for the contentment that comes from living with purpose. Through its practice, we learn to unite the body, mind and spirit. Bring a thick blanket or yoga mat. Kim Sellers, ERYT, has been exploring and practicing different styles of yoga since the 1980’s, and began to teach and share yoga with others in the late 90’s. Yoga is her passion, and she feels very blessed to be teaching Hatha yoga full-time in the South Bend area. www.sagewateryoga.com

202. Mandala Drawings - Pat Reed

Create drawings in the Maori tradition, from aboriginal New Zealand. This creative process helps to predict the direction of your life for the following year. Pat has been active in Women & Religion and women's rituals for over 20 years.  She now snowbirds in warm, sunny Mesa, Arizona.

203. Taking Time for Yourself - Jude Christiansen

Life doesn't have to be a pain. Learn how to ease physical and emotional tensions through the gentle movements of QiGong, self acupressure and massage.  Wear loose clothing that you can move in easily. Jude is a certified massage therapist, whose healing hands you can experience in our vendor area.  She uses her skills to balance the flow of energy throughout your body.

204. Finding the Golden Opportunity in Stressful Times - Karen Taylor

When life is most challenging there are great opportunities to bloom and grow. Learn a simple technique to transform your perspective and thrive in trying times. Karen is an Option Method practitioner and Healing Thought therapist with over 20 years of experience.

Youth Maidens Activities (6-12 years) - Diana Mendelsohn

The afternoon will feature swimming in the lake, singing, and making solar art paper using the beautiful patterns in leaves. Each child is asked to bring a small shoe box to transport the items they make back home.

All workshops are suitable for Teen Maidens,  age 13 and up except for #101.

Summer WomanSpirit at Ronora Lodge Registration Form

[PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM (PDF)]       [ONLINE REGISTRATION]

PLEASE FILL OUT ONE FORM FOR EACH PERSON AGED 13 AND OLDER.  COPY AS NEEDED.

Registration must be postmarked by: July 20, 2010.

Please Print Clearly!

Name:

Names/Ages/Gender of Children up to age 6 attending:

Please circle your Meal Preference:

Vegetarian       Non-Vegetarian         Gluten-free*      (please list allergies, etc., on next line)

Workshop Preferences (enter workshop #) :

MORNING            AFTERNOON

1st ___________ 1st ___________

2nd___________ 2nd ___________

Coffee House: Sign me up for:

Volunteer Opportunities: In the spirit of cooperation, everyone at Summer WomanSpirit helps with kitchen cleanup and setting up the tables in Chadwicke Hall between meals and ceremonies. There are additional volunteer opportunities. Please check off anything you’d be interested in helping with, and you will be contacted just prior to the retreat.

___ Registration  ___ Mentoring   ___ Swim Sponsor    ___ Set up

___ Photographer ___ Silent Auction   ___ Clean up   ___ Maidens program

Committee Opportunities: On Sunday morning we traditionally invite women who want to participate in the next year’s Committee to come forward. If this is something you want to do, come into the circle!

LIST: We include a friendship list in the registration packet. Do you consent to have your name, e-mail and address included on this list for new acquaintances to be able to contact you?          ___Yes               ___No

Registration Fees

SHIRTS: Our beautiful Summer WomanSpirit logo is printed in full color on pale yellow jersey knit v-neck tees. Please order one size LARGER than usual. (CIRCLE YOUR SIZE) women’s  S   M   L   XL   **2XL

LODGING PREFERENCE. Please mark your first choice “1” and your second choice “2”

___ Casa de Luz               ___ Grandma’s House             ___ Plant House

___ Trilogy Lodge             ___ Tenting

For descriptions and photos, please see www.ronoralodge.com

Roommate preference:

Is this your first WomanSpirit? ___yes  ___no   If so, would you like a mentor? ___yes

SCHOLARSHIP (Request must be postmarked before July 1) I wish to apply for a scholarship because:

Waiver

I (we) forever release and discharge Ronora Lodge, KOO Properties, the teachers and employees, and anyone involved in WomanSpirit, for any liability resulting from my (our) participation in WomanSpirit Summer 2010.

I (we) understand that in case I (we) decide to cancel my (our) registration, no full refunds will be given. Cancellation requests can be emailed or sent by mail. If sent by mail, the postmark will be considered the date of the cancellation request.

• 75% refund if cancellation is received more than 30 days prior to the retreat.

• 50% refund if cancellation is received 16-30 days prior to the retreat.

• No refund will be given if the cancellation is received 15 days or less prior to the retreat.

Signature                                                                                  Date

To register or pay by mail, please make checks payable to CMwD Women & Religion Committee and send to:

Summer WomanSpirit Registrar

Pat Reed, 5801 Church Street, Morton Grove, IL 60053

Registrations must be postmarked no later than JULY 20!

If you have questions, you may contact the registrar,  Pat Reed at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 847-967-1672.

See you at Ronora!!