Letting Go
We had such hope and desire that Greenfire could live on after the closing of the retreat house. We explored what this new Greenfire might look like in Vision Circles and board meetings. We chose to be positive-with no retreat house, we were not tied to one location. As time went on, however, we saw in stark relief how the retreat house had provided a centering focus that was impossible to recreate. Plans fell through to relocate the big yurt on a neighbor's property and use it as a base. After a year, we also had to admit that we were experiencing a slow down in energy. Roles that had been filled by many women-staff, board, administration, secretarial, bookkeeping, etc.-were all collapsed into our three-women volunteer board. Living in different locations presented challenges for developing new programming. Our call last fall to expand the board did not bring in new members. We finally faced the fact that it might be time to let Greenfire go. It was not an easy decision. We feel great sadness that we were not able to breathe new life into the small, but still glowing, ember that was entrusted to us.
Greenfire has always been bigger than all of us. Our hope is that the spirit underlying Greenfire will be continuously renewed through how we live our lives. In moments of deep listening to another's story, or taking in the beauty of nature, or openness to contemplative quiet--the gifts of Greenfire live on.
During this past year and a half, we have appreciated over and over again the hard work that Connie, Rosanna, Judith, and many others put into Greenfire. We offer them heartfelt thanks for living out their dream of a small women's retreat in Maine.
Pam Swing |
The Wisdom of the Universe
Sitting with the task of writing yet another last piece for and about Greenfire, I am aware of all the things that have been said earlier and feel reluctant to add even one more phrase about ending this incredible enterprise. Closing Greenfire as an organization is one big step, I certainly admit. Part of me sees it as a formality, an official statement to the fact that a retreat without a retreat house, an organization without (wo)menpower to organize it and a dream without enough support to realize it, can simply not sustain. I feel sadness but also clarity over the fact that we are not ending the chapter of infinite compassion and love for all womens' struggles on their journeys and the wish to be able to support without asking for 'payment'. What Connie, Judith and Roseanna once started (and many later on shared with them) had a huge impact and great importance in many our lives. I feel immense gratitude and blessing to have been able to participate in and experience their unique work. The Greenfire experience deeply influenced my way of working and being with others. Whenever I sit in a circle of women, the spirit and mission of Greenfire seems present. The vision of women all over the world being connected through their shared experiences and stories of their spiritual journeys lives in all of us. Thank you Connie, Judith, Roseanna, Adelaide and all you others for letting me being a part of your wisdom. Thank you, Pam and Cate for hanging in there with me during the last year. It has been a pleasure working with you (we actually really had fun!). I trust in the wisdom of the universe - the spirit of Greenfire is very much alive!
Angela Hassenpflug |
Thank You
I will miss Greenfire. Thank you for the opportunity to serve, however briefly, a wonderful organization. I appreciate the efforts of the Vision Circle women. I enjoyed the board meetings. And a huge "thank you" to Julie Sells for her newsletter work and for maintaining the data base.
Cate Monroe
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Passing the Torch
The Greenfire board is delighted to announce that we will be donating our unused funds to The Center for Wisdom's Women in Lewiston, Maine. This is a wonderful nonprofit organization whose mission is very much in the spirit of Greenfire. Klara Tammany, a woman who visited Greenfire many times, is the director. Her story about the organization is below. We are truly happy to be able to support The Center for Women's Wisdom in this way. They are sorely in need of funding to continue their work, and we hope you will consider them when making donations.
The Center for Wisdom's Women in Lewiston:
Within an impoverished Lewiston neighborhood, where over forty percent of the residents live at or below the poverty line, there is a place that supports and empowers women called The Center for Wisdom's Women. Run by and for women, it brings hope to women who fall between the cracks of the social service system. Through support groups and conversation, programs and activities, lonely women become friends and learn that they are not alone. Every woman who enters is offered kindness and compassion and is treated with dignity and respect. Some women listen, others speak, all are heard, deeply sharing the stories of their lives.
The Center opened in 1999 by a Roman Catholic community called The Daughters of Wisdom. Over the years it became a haven for more than a thousand women. When it had to be closed in 2008 for financial reasons, I gathered a group of women committed to the Center to raise funds and continue the work. The Center re-opened last November with limited hours. Women are returning and new ones are finding their way there. It is now open three mornings a week staffed by volunteers. By the end of 2009, we hope to be back to full programming and staffing.
Everything I learned and experienced at Greenfire is being called into use at our Center now. The ten years of sitting in circle conversations, sharing over meals, sitting in evening meditation; all are being reincarnated in our Center. I am ever more grateful for all that happened at Greenfire, and joyous that it can continue and grow in our work here in Lewiston. It softens for me the loss of Greenfire. The gesture to give the remaining Greenfire funds to The Center for Wisdom's Women is a sign of hope for us. We will be good stewards and use the funds in keeping with the spirit of Greenfire. Come and see if you are ever traveling our way! www.wisdomswomen.org.
Klara Tammany |
WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH GREENFIRE WOMEN? HERE'S HOW:
(Note: You may want to file this email someplace safe on your computer, or print it out for future reference)
Greenfire may be closed by the end of May but the spirit of Greenfire lives on in our varied offerings. We have given you contact information for the Greenfire women. To be added to their email list, just send them a quick email. You can also call if you would like to set up an appointment to meet.
Connie Chandler-Ward is happy to partner for Conversations, Consultations and Work Visions. She can be reached at 207.372.6241 or at conniechandler@lycos.com.
Former Greenfire community member Judith Carpenter continues to offer astrological consultations as a tool for understanding personal dynamics and deepening spiritual work. She can be contacted by phone: 207-594-1931 or by email: jpcarpenter@myfairpoint.net.
Angela Hassenpflug works as a Personal-Development Coach and Gestalt Practitioner. She offers individual sessions, work visions as well as workshops and retreats. Contact: angela@gestaltyourlife.com or 207.592.7888.
Pam Swing holds workshops and retreats in the Boston area and Maine. Her offerings include Life as Art, SoulCollage®, labyrinth walks, restorative and silent retreats, and workshops focusing on creative endeavors. Contact: pam.swing@gmail.com or 978.371.0323
Mary Auslander is a psychotherapist who specializes in the long-term effects of childhood trauma and abuse. She is committed to facilitating women's growth and healing in a variety of ways, including consultations and work visions. Contact: 207.677.3227
Joan Smith at Healing Soup welcomes women, men and couples for overnight restorative retreats and discernment. Located in Victorian farmhouse in Midcoast Rockland, Maine. Contact: joan@healingsoup.com or 207.594.1232.
The Center for Women's Wisdom, Lewiston, Maine. www.wisdomswomen.org, email: klara@wisdomswomen.org. |
One final note:
Greenfire reunion dream
We dream of Greenfire reunions. There are several ways this could happen. One possibility is to rent a house and run retreats for a week or two during the summer. We would hope to have staff on hand to offer conversations and work visions; we would all gather at dinner as of old. If you are interested in hearing about such possibilities, please contact either Pam Swing or Angela Hassenpflug and we will make sure you are kept informed.
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May I be at peace.
May I know the beauty of
my own true nature.
May my heart remain open.
May I be healed.
May you be at peace.
May you know the beauty of
your own true nature.
May your heart remain open.
May you be healed.
May we be at peace.
May we know the beauty of
our own true nature.
May our hearts remain open.
May we be healed. |
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