Ann Arbor -- History

 

January 2003
(from Lisa Connors, Host)

Our January Circle will take advantage of our dark winter nights with the extension of the candle lit atmosphere. Joann Gadbaw and I will gather our thoughts on theme and process and forward them to you soon before the meeting. We hope you can join us for the January meeting. Personally, the Gatherings were a connecting foundation throughout 2002 that brought a coherence that would otherwise have been missing for me. I know others who have participated regularly feel much the same way. Joann, the other regulars, and I welcome newcomers and less frequent visitors to our January gathering and reflection - it is a welcome way to start the new year.

December 2002
(from Lisa Connors, Host)

Please join us to spend a quiet evening of reflection, celebration and conversation in circle on Friday, December 20th at the Friends Fireplace room in Ann Arbor. We will gather with our BYOdinner at 6:00, calling the circle by 7:00 and ending to be on our way home by 10:00. If anyone has a special beverage or dessert that is a holiday family tradition you would like to share, that would be delightful as well.

I thought it would be beautiful to fill the room with candlelight - and am asking everyone to bring one or several candles from their collection to share for the evening.

I suggest we open the circle with some of the centering methods Christina modeled for us and practice holding a strong rim with intention together (would anyone like to practice the breathing in of the circle for the group?). I offer to lead us through some reflection on the year past, celebrating the path of becoming life affirming leaders in our world. Our check-in can be to share whatever is most present for you at this time. You may wish to bring something to read, a piece of music, or simply let your voice find you where you are. A silent meditation of 10 minutes and then let the conversation unfold.

Looking so forward to a quiet interval in this holiday hullabaloo.

November 2002
(from Lisa Connors, Host)

Hi Friends & Colleagues. As most of you know, I have been leading a leadership circle as part of a global initiative - From the Four Directions - co-founded by Meg Wheatley and Christina Baldwin and others. A wonderful opportunity to be with Christina, right in our backyard took place on Thursday, November 14, 2002. A more intimate gathering with Christina was held on Friday, November 15.


August 2002
(from Lisa Connors, Host)

Seeds . . . Flowers . . . Fruits . . . Harvest . . . Renewal

As summer fades to fall, so too we find ourselves reflecting the rhythm of nature...

Our August circle explored the question:
"What would it take for you to be a seed for action in your own life & in the lives of others?"

Led by Vincenza and Joann, they described taking a walk while contemplating the next question for the circle and began noticing and picking up the seeds and leaves of trees . . . acorn to oak, helicopter to maple . . . spread around the center of our circle. We added our own symbols . . . symbols of our power, our vision, the seeds we cast - paper chickens, a corn maiden, a picture of a grand-God-niece, a crystal mountain...

We spoke of the peace found in powerful self-reflection practices - contemplating every step in the growth of an ecancia; and the excitement and opportunities abounding in saying YES! to what shows up. Alchemy, transformation, generations - cycles of life.....

What September Brings:

Christine and Lisa asking what next to hold the rim of our circle strong for what each of us needs - to make our connection to the other circles around the world visceral - to enable being and doing. What conversation is calling us to new levels of life affirming leadership? What topic could we explore together that brings our richly diverse stories and perspectives into view - puts them in the center and brews up powerful contemplation and inspiration. We look around us. We see a world united in remembering a historic event - mourning death and celebrating acts of life. We watch old ideas of leadership crumble and others emerge. Our circle asks "What would it take?"

An interesting word shows up on our plate. Hero.

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July 2002 (2)
(From Lisa Connors, Circle Host)

The theme of our last gathering was sustainability. We explored what sustainability meant for each of us personally and professionally. We also raised the question of what sustains us as humans, in our organizations, communities, and in our relationships and families.

We opened the circle with the poem below, Opportunities, which for me was a wonderful metaphor for the diversity of sustainability. What one sees and deems as trash, another values as treasure and can save a great cause.

Opportunity
By: Edward R. Sill
(Born April 29, 1841; died February 27 1887)

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:
There spread a cloud of dust along a plane;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.

A craven hung along the battle's edge
And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel --
That blue blade that the king's son bears -- but this
Blunt thing -- he snapped and flung it from his hand.
And lowering crept away and left the field.

Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.

Our Next Circle is Friday, August 23, 2002
Friends Meeting House, 1416 Hill Street, Ann Arbor; Fireplace Room
6:15 - 6:45 pm is our brown bag dinner; 6:50 - 9:30 pm is our circle.

Question to Ponder and Theme for the Circle: What would it take for you to be the seed for action in your own life and in the lives of others? Please bring an item that represents the change you want to be in the world.

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July 2002 (1)
(From Lisa Connors, Circle Host)

Circle, dialogue, powerful conversations. More and more we are watching these forms of intentional and often spiritual communication, crop up from our churches, coffee houses and corporations for purposes of healing, innovation and community. I have had a taste of the power of circle in my own life, and am called to get better and broader at using circle for the common good - any way and anywhere that I can.

I am passionate about, and asking for help in bringing Christina Baldwin, author of "Calling the Circle" and "The Seven Whispers" (www.peerspirit.com), to Michigan to host a 4-5 day Circle Practicum marketed to the public. We want to create a retreat that both finds us experiencing Circle together with the amazing Christina 'holding the rim', but also preparing us to use circle in many aspects of our personal and professional lives - from the family room to the boardroom.

We have been in conversation with Christina for several months and she is excited to come. We need a small 'design team' to help build this. The team will set up a communication schedule via e-mail and conference calls. The team will:

1. select and procure space (a list is already compiled)
2. identify our target participant group(s) and work with Christina to create marketing language
3. execute strategies to market the practicum
4. coordinate logistics with the venue/retreat center
5. be a resource for answering questions from potential attendees/registrants

We will hold the guiding principal of seeking help from the universe, setting our intentions and then letting unfold what is meant to be. Translation: don't worry, if it seems just too hard or is taking too much painful work for the team, we will let it go.

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