This year's spring retreat theme is, “Living Our Values” and our keynote speaker is Rev. Kelli Clement!

New this year, a Talent Show! The talent show provides the opportunity to share your talents, interests and passions. It is designed to be a safe, no stress environment. So please don't hold yourself back. If you are a knitter, a singer, a quilter, a writer of fiction, poetry or a painter (you get the picture) please participate. Please contact Mary Ellison and she will allot time among those participating. There will be about 5 minutes per person depending on the sign-ups. Those of you not performing can play a supportive role as an enthusiastic audience member. Please contact Mary Ellison if you want to be in the talent show: maryellison2491@comcast.net

The Retreat will also feature:

Nature Hikes, Meditation, Exploring Creativity, Aligning Our Values with Our Power, Gardening “With” Wildlife, Resilience, Healing Hands, Legacy Letters, Travel and Social Values, Having Fun Expressing Your Values, Mentoring Socially Responsible Kids, Red Cross/Volunteer Experience, Conscious Aging, Music with Shelly, games, AND MORE!

FAQ when considering attending the spring retreat:

Q: Who can attend? A: Women over 18 years old.

Q: Are children allowed? A: No, the retreat is an opportunity to get away from "normal life" and responsibilities.

Q: When will I get confirmation of my spot and my scholarship request (if any)? A: Mid-March

Q: Can I have a single room? A: There are a small number of single rooms alloted for those with special needs only. 95% of rooms are shared.

Q: Are there refunds for last minute cancelations? A: Only for medical emergencies.

Q: What is the time period during which I can cancel without penalty? A: March 26th

Q: How does the waiting list work? A: If applications are withdrawn, those on the waiting list will be contacted in order. Many on the waiting list do get in eventually so be patient!

Q: How is the Kate Tucker scholarship fund managed? A: Donations to this fund throughout the year are tracked and tallied. A total amount will be distributed to scholarship requesters as fairly as possible by an AUW member appointed by the AUW board.

Q: What if I need help paying for the Retreat?

A: If you need a partial scholarship to defray the cost of the Retreat, email Liz Permar: elpermar@gmail.com

Q: Are pets allowed? A: No, only physician-prescribed service animals.

Q: When should I arrive? A: Anytime after 4:00 pm and before 6:00 pm dinner if possible.

Q: What kinds of activities will be available? A: Workshops, ceremonies, a key-note address, nature walks, arts and crafts, yoga, outdoor labyrinth, board games, opening and closing ceremonies, massage appointments (for additional fee), and freedom to do nothing, or read a book or whatever you choose!

Weekend Program!

Friday

4:00 – 6:00 pm

Welcome/Check-in……………………………………..Carlson Commons

Pick up registration packets, get your room assignment, and sign up for massage. Snacks available!

5:00 – 5:45 pm

Nature Hike – Dianne Rowse……………………...meet in Dining Room

Observe signs that signal the rebirth of spring: bird songs, frog songs, swelling tree buds, and emerald green moss. Absorb the good tidings of the outdoors and replenish your spirit. Wear sturdy walking shoes; dress in layers. Bring rain gear if needed and binoculars if you have them.

6:00 – 6:45 pm

Dinner………………………………………………..................Dining Room

If you have a “buddy,” get together over dinner. Make new friends!

7:00 – 8:30 pm

Opening Ceremony………………………………….Carlson Conf. Room

We have carved out time for this weekend, and now we are here. This centering event of the retreat is when we begin our journey together, creating ritual with song and story, and cast our intentions for the coming days.

8:45 pm & on…

Exploring Creativity – Debbie Cash……….Creation Station (Carlson)

Enjoy creating in community, and make a project that is yours alone. No experience needed. Materials provided. A scissors of your own is highly recommended.

What Are You Reading? – Liz Permar & Martha Bird…………………...

…………………………………………………………………Carlson Library

Come, sit, talk about whatever book you are currently reading.

Bonfire & Singing (on your own).…………………...fire pit by the Lake

Come for group singing by the fire, weather permitting. Bring enthusiasm & a folding chair. Usually there's a log or two to sit on.

Sauna (on your own).……………………...near the fire pit, by the Lake

The wood-fired sauna needs about 45 minutes to come up to temperature. Get a starter kit from the Koinonia Reception desk.

Labyrinth Walk (on your own)….……………….beyond the parking lot

The labyrinth is available at any time. A flashlight is a good idea after dark.

Movies (on your own).…………………………...…Retreat House Lower

There will be a selection of DVDs (or bring your own).

Games (on your own)………………………………..……….Dining Room

Board games, word games – an avid game group has been self-directed at past retreats!

SATURDAY

7:00 – 7:45 am

Nature Hike – Dianne Rowse………………..........meet in Dining Room

Repeat – see Friday afternoon.

7:15 – 7:45 am

Classical Stretch – Janet Merrill…………..……..Retreat House Lower

Classical Stretch offers a gentle workout that unlocks tight muscles and liberates joints using a 23 minute DVD – a full body flexibility, strength, and mobility workout. It is suited to people of all ages and fitness levels.

Meditation – Kathy Urberg……………………….……….Carlson Chapel

Kathy will give a short intro to meditation. We will do a 20 minute seated meditation and a 10 minute walking meditation. This is a silent meditation (not a guided meditation) with time at the end for questions.

8:00 – 8:45 am

Breakfast………………………………………………………..Dining Room

9:00 – 10:00 am

Exploring Creativity – Debbie Cash…........Creation Station (Carlson)

See description Friday evening.

Voting Our Values: The 2018 Mid-Term Elections – Karen Wills……..

…………………………………………………………………Sumac Lounge

This session will bring us up-to-date with the MN political landscape and areas of needed community action – faith in action – during this vitally important mid-term election. "Think Globally, But Act Locally" when considering how to implement our UU Values at the polls.

Music in the Morning – Shelley des Islets ……….…...Carlson Chapel

This relaxed hour starts with movement and vocalizing, just enjoying our body's ability to move and express, and moves into community singing in unison and in layered songs, with singing/walking meditations to awaken your body, mind, and soul through the audible vibrations. You do not need to identify as someone who sings to benefit! Please dress in loose, comfortable clothing.

10:15 – 11:45 am

Keynote – Kelli Clement........................................Carlson Conf. Room

12:00 – 12:45 pm

Lunch…………………………………………………………....Dining Room

12:40 – 1:00ish

Nature on the Deck – Dianne Rowse………………..…….Carlson Deck

Drop in for back porch birding, squirrel watching, and wildflower viewing from the Carlson deck. Soak in the springtime sunshine and revel in the soundscape heralding spring. Bring binoculars if you have them.

1:00 – 2:15 pm SESSION ONE

Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) - why does it matter?– Suzann Willhite …………………….………………………….Retreat House Lower

If you don’t know, the ERA never was added to our federal or state constitution. Does it matter? Why should I care? What can I do? Come to share your history on this issue; learn why the ERA never passed and discuss why it is still important today.

Travel and Our UU Values – Welcome Jerde & Deborah Allan……..…

……………………...……...………………………………….Sumac Lounge

We’ll explore how travel aligns with our UU principles. Why do we travel? How can we make our adventures centered in our beliefs? Can travel be a spiritual practice? You’ll reflect on your own personal experiences & share your hopes, fears, and conflicts about being a traveler.

Reclaiming Basketry: Working Through Stigma to Reach Creative Potential – Martha Bird……………………………..Carlson Conf. Room

Martha uses personal experiences and research to challenge harmful references that often are shrugged off and contribute to perpetuating negative stereotypes of a medium. Through the process of working through stigma, Martha will show how raising awareness and naming problems can help us achieve creative potential.

Your Time – Take time to nap, sit by the lake, stroll, journal, stare at the sky, talk to a friend, listen to the birds, knit, craft, do nothing.

2:30 – 4:00 pm SESSION TWO

Intro to Healing Touch – Jeni Klotz..…………... Retreat House Lower

Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing, heart centered energy therapy that assists in creating a balanced energy field. It is safe for all ages. During the workshop, we will begin to sense energy fields in our own body. Participants will learn a chakra balancing technique.

SATURDAY (cont.)

2:30 – 4:00 pm SESSION TWO (cont.)

Resilience – Joan Patterson……………………………...Sumac Lounge

Given the uncertainties and challenges of contemporary life, how can you be resilient? Drawing on her research, Joan Patterson will guide us through an exploration of resilience – what it means, who has it, how they got it, and how YOU can tap your own capacity for resilience.

Gardening “With” Wildlife – Mary Weeks……….Carlson Conf. Room

Because humans are the invaders in Mother Nature, my gardening strategies honor those who came first. I garden “with” the insects and other living beings that make it possible for us humans to survive. Insects need native plants, so I concentrate on natives. Join me in gardening, as if life depends on us.

Exploring Our Relationship to Power – Kristin Siegesmund………….

……………………………………………………………………..Woodhaven

An interactive session to explore what it means for us as women to have power. What types of power are important to us? What barriers have we experienced in claiming power? How have we exercised power in our lives? What are the lessons we can share? What needs to change?

Your Time – Take time to nap, sit by the lake, stroll, journal, stare at the sky, talk to a friend, listen to the birds, knit, craft, do nothing.

4:15 – 5:30 pm SESSION THREE

Reshaping & Reframing: exploring our values through creativity – Bell Barr……………………..………………………..Retreat House Lower

Come join Bell in a fertile environment to explore/remember our joyful parts and merge them into our current life seamlessly. Scissors and old magazines welcome.

Cradle to Coming-of-Age: A Focus on Children and Youth – Laurel Wills & Emma Paskewitz………..…………………………Sumac Lounge

A facilitated conversation about raising socially conscious, socially conscientious children & youth. How can we "Live Our UU Values" in our roles as mentors, teachers, parents & grandparents? What can we learn from our youth as they come of age and explore "The Big Questions"?

Volunteering as a Way to Express Your Values – Velma Wagner…….

…………………………………………………………..Carlson Conf. Room

Applying what you value can bring significance to your work as a volunteer. Learn how this has unfolded for Velma in various roles at the Red Cross. She will describe and show slides from her disaster work in Florida after Hurricane Irma.

Your Time – Take time to nap, sit by the lake, stroll, journal, stare at the sky, talk to a friend, listen to the birds, knit, craft, do nothing.

6:00 – 6:45 pm

Dinner………………………………..……………….Carlson Dining Room

7:00 – 8:00 pm

Where Are We Going? A Conversation About Sex– Becca Lutt………

……………………………………………………….....Retreat House Lower

This is a conversation to understand our own, and learn to navigate our partner's, sexual geography. We'll create body maps, figure out signals, talk about tune-ups, and explore the times when we road trip it alone. If we side trip down a back street, all the better.

Poetry Out Loud!– Nora Page & Valerie Garber..........Carlson Library

A time to share poetry out loud! Bring something to read aloud that you have written or something by a one of your favorite poets. (A few books will be available on loan for the weekend, should you forget!). And if you’d rather not read, just come and listen! All are welcome!

8:00 pm – ???

Ice Cream Social…………………………..…………………. Dining Room

A tradition of the Retreat! There will be ice cream, toppings, and lots of add-ons to create your sundae.

8:15 – 11:00 pm

Talent Show, followed by Line Dancing…………Carlson Conf. Room

Talent Show, facilitated by Mary Ellison. If you are not performing, come be an enthusiastic audience member!

Line Dancing – Velma Wagner invites us to learn fun, group line dances where no partner is needed. You will be taught basic steps, like grapevine, hitch and shuffle, and we will put them together into exciting dances including Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle. No experience necessary.

OR On Your Own: Bonfire/Singing, Sauna, Movies, Games, Creation Station, Labyrinth - See the descriptions and locations Friday night.

SUNDAY

8:15 – 8:45 am

Classical Stretch – Janet Merrill…………….……Retreat House Lower

Repeat – see Saturday morning.

Meditation – Kathy Urberg…………………….……….…Carlson Chapel

We will do a 20 minute seated meditation, a 10 minute walking meditation, and a 15 minute seated meditation. It will be a silent meditation (not a guided meditation).

9:00 – 9:45 am

Breakfast…………………………………………………….….Dining Room

10:00 – 11:15 am

Closing Ceremony …………………………………..Carlson Conf. Room

After a weekend of experiences that may have ranged from silly to profound to joyful, having named our values and shared how they inform our lives, this circle of release grounds our energy and casts us forth back into the world.

11:30 – 12:00 noon

Reflection Circle………………………………………….……Dining Room

This session will offer an opportunity to express your thoughts about the Retreat and help shape the planning for next year's Retreat. The 2018 Planning Committee will facilitate the sharing.

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch…………………………………………….……………...Dining Room

Eat in the Dining Room, or take a sandwich to go in the car.

Checkout/Departure by 2:00 pm