The Leaven Center offers programming throughout the year that nurtures the relationship between spirituality and social justice. To register for one of our events, read the brief description below, then click on "Add to Shopping Cart." You can pay by VISA, Discover, or MasterCard. When registering on-line, we request the entire registration fee at time of registration. If you prefer to register by mail, go to www.leaven.org/registration.htm to print and mail a registration form. |
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A Creative Writing Workshop for Women, February 1-3, 2008 (Waiting list only) In this workshop we will explore the holy moments in our lives through the process of writing. There will be room for many kinds of writing and many kinds of writers. We will read, write, and share our writing with one another (by choice, never by obligation). We will think about writing as a process – a way to tell stories we already know, but also a way to find stories we have not yet imagined. Leader: Laura Apol Time: Friday, 7 p.m. - Sunday, 1 p.m. $185.00 |
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February 3-7, 2008 (Waiting list only) For women who desire a place of quiet and beauty in which to write with abandon. Each woman will have a private room with a bed, desk, chair, and electrical outlets for computers. You will be in charge of how you spend your days. Due to space limitations, enrollment is limited to nine women. Leader: Self-directed Time: Sunday, 7 pm - Thursday, 1 pm $200.00 |
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A Retreat for Rest and Reflection, February 29 - March 2, 2008 (Waiting list only) Relax into the nourishing, healing setting of this retreat and consider the gifts of the new year. Sustained periods of silence and mindfulness meditation will quiet the mind. Prayer and reflection will open the heart, and small group discussions will build community. Gentle Kundalini yoga will help us develop mindfulness of the body and support our healing. There will be opportunities to journal, explore your creativity, share laughter, and rest deeply. Leader: Valerie Brown (Inder Kaur) Time: Friday, 7 p.m. - Sunday, 1 p.m. $185.00 |
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This weekend retreat is a unique opportunity for men of different ages to create healing community. Through storytelling, creative writing, music, meditation, laughter and deep listening, we will cultivate a loving compassion that allows us to explore the complexities of our own experience and open our hearts to others. We will explore how vital areas of our lives (family, work, friendship, and spirit) have been socialized by sexism, and how we have demonstratd connection and resistance in our lives. Leaders: William Copeland, Joe Reilly, Neil Byrne, and Alex Wilson Time: Friday, 7 pm - Sunday, 1 pm $185.00 |
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Developing Authentic Relationships Across Difference, April 16-17, 2008 Three anti-oppression educators who share a deep commitment to building strong and supportive relationships with one another across race and gender will share their approaches to developing authentic relationships and will facilitate activities that assist participants in identifying how they can strengthen their relationships with colleagues, friends, and allies. You are invited to apply for this workshop in teams of two or three people who are working to build authentic relationships across differences such as race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and abilities. This workshop will be particularly helpful to teams that are racially diverse. This workshop is offered in partnership with Michigan State University Extension. Leaders: Monique Savage, Dionardo Pizaña, and Karen Pace Time: Wednesday, 9:30 am – Thursday, 4:30 pm $175.00 |
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8th Annual Retreat for Disability Activists and Allies, May 16-18, 2008 Drawing upon disability culture, conversation, journal writing, music, and movement, we’ll spend the weekend exploring and telling stories of who we are, and stories of oppression and privilege. We will examine the ways our stories not only repeat, but also contradict, each other. We will explore the power of story to reach across chasms of power, to struggle against willful ignorance, and to insist upon wholeness. In addition to storytelling, we’ll have time to rest, relax, and hang out. Event is gender inclusive Leaders: Eli Clare and Jo Kadi Time: Friday, 7 pm - Sunday, 1 pm $185.00 |
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A Workshop and Retreat for African American Women, June 20-22, 2008 This workshop emphasizes the history of African American women as a sacred history, a resource for compassionate social and personal transformation. By examining our own personal and collective stories (in both joy and trouble), we will seek the resources of spirit, creativity and grace that sustained generations before us and that are available to us as well. The retreat also includes reflections on the orishas, the ancient West African cosmic energies who have fed ritual traditions such as Brazilian Candomblé, Cuban Santeria/Lucumí and Haitian Vodou. Leader: Rachel E. Harding Time: Friday, 7 pm - Sunday, 1 pm $185.00 |
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| Each woman will have a private room, if solitude is what you need. If you prefer to write outside, there are picnic tables near the Lodge and benches by the river, stream, and the pond. You will be free to explore the 25 acres of land with walking trails, woods, a spring-fed stream, and 1,000 feet of river frontage. This retreat is self-led so you will be able to spend your time as you see fit. Food for breakfast and lunch will be available for you to make your own meals. There is a sit-down dinner, prepared by the “house mother.” After dinner, we will gather for a time to read any piece of writing that you would like to share with the group. Due to space limitations, enrollment is limited to nine women.
Leader: self-directed Time: Sunday, 7 pm – Thursday, 2 pm $200.00 |
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Round-trip transportation to Lansing or Grand Rapids airport, bus station, or train station. $30.00 |
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