Making a New Way

Workshop number: 
18
Niyonu
Spann
Lisa
Graustein
Audience
Who may register: 
Open to All (adult & high school)
full-time attenders only
Time breakdown
Worship/worship-sharing: 
40%
Lecture: 
5%
Discussion: 
15%
Experiential Activities: 
40%
Description
Leader Experience: 

Niyonu -

Lisa attended several Beyond Divisty 101's before becoming an assistant and then co-facilitator. She has also taught in the White People Challenging Racism: Moving from Talk to Action program as well as serving as member of NEYM's Working Party on Racism. Lisa has also served on the board for GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) and worked with area schools and non-profits on many issues of diversity. She is a high school teacher at a small charter high school in Boston and is a former Young Friends Coordinator for NEYM.

Short Description: 

In a society based in inequity and power over, we must find new ways of being that bring justice and wholeness, and transform institutions. Through discussion, movement, art, music, and worship, we will step into our gifts, working to transform the blocks that are holding us back.

Long Description: 

Making a New Way (LONG DESCRIPTION)
In a society based in inequity and power over (white supremacy, heterosexism, classism, sexism…) we must find new ways of being that bring justice and wholeness to each other and transforms systems of oppression. What are the gifts you have to bring into service? What is holding you back? Through movement, music, art, exercises, discussion, and grounded worship we will more fully step into our gifts and purpose while working to transform the blocks that are holding us back.
Lisa and Niyonu will offer activities, practices and tools from Beyond Diversity 101™ ~ a 5-Day Intensive as well as those designed specifically for this workshop. Queries we hope to explore include: What are gifts that I am here to share in co-creating wholeness in our society? What is my place (as a young person, senior/elder, Quaker, etc.) in the current struggles for justice? Whose work is this anyway? How can I release internalized oppression or internalized supremacy?
Expectations and Objectives for Making a New Way:
• Within a loving and supportive environment we hope to explore what it means for each of us to be Spirit-led agents of change and/or transformation ~ co-creators of a new way of being

• Identify and remove blocks to our own effectiveness in fully answering the call – our particular calling(s) in this work

• To hold the balance between developing greater effectiveness in de-structuring power-over systems which are based in the lies of separation and which are operating to maintain power-over and tapping that creative spirit that allows for new visions of how we might be together within the Religious Society of Friends, and within our larger society.

• To bring all of ourselves to this creative work: our bodies, our intellect, and our spirits

Each day will begin with a gathering activity and end with a group closing. Worship and worship-sharing will be at the core of each day, with activities and exercises preparing us for both the practice of worship and the theme or content that we will be exploring that day. There will be silent, waiting worship and regular worship-sharing. However, some days, worship-sharing will use music, art, movement, or guided meditations to help us connect with all the aspects of our spiritual selves. Each day will have a balance of talking/head-space time, movement/body time, and time to connect more deeply with out spiritual/Inner Guide time.
Before coming, we suggest that you reread something that has been a touchstone or inspiration for you on your journey. Bring an item that represents who you are that you are willing to share with the group. You are also encouraged to bring a journal, a small notebook & pen, a water bottle, and any other items that will make you comfortable during the week (i.e. cushion, drum, yoga mat, etc.).