Becky Schupbach: Sea Change Designs Contributed by Louise Lovdahl

My work is about transformation. The ancient art of glass-working transforms earthy matter (silica, soda, lime, metal salts) into vitreous substances with an extraordinarily wide range of color, transparency, translucence or opacity. In my work, I use colored rods of soda-lime glass made using traditional methods by Effetre (Moretti), one of the oldest glass manufacturers in Italy.

When I first introduce the glass into the flame, it is hard and unyielding and it may crack from thermal shock. As the glass begins to soften in the heat of the torch, it becomes molten and luminous and I can transform it. As I work with hot glass, I experience its organic properties, as I play with the effects of heat, gravity and surface tension to shape and form it.

more photos and full article here

Tree Goddess Bead

No Longer Invisible: Barb Rath reported by Louise Lovdahl, Roving Reporter

Barb Rath went through life purposefully being invisible until a Sunday afternoon in 2000. “I never looked people in the face – ever! I didn’t remember names, faces and I didn’t allow people to get in close.” She remembers standing in the final circle of the Woman Within Training Weekend (WWTW) and allowing everyone to see her. “This was the first time I was not intentionally being invisible,” says Barb with a smile in her voice.

Today Barb is a Presenter for the MKP sponsored “Isms and Issues” (I & I’s) workshops. From not looking anyone in the eye to being one of only two women presenters for MKP workshops around the US and boldly holding her own in front of groups of men and women, is a giant leap.

read full article here

A Conversation with Barb Rath, Presenter for the I & I Multicultural Training reported by Louise Lovdahl, Roving Reporter

Roving Reporter Louise: How do you respond to a woman who says, "I don't need multicultural training since I'm not racist."?

Presenter Barb: This workshop is not about owning racism or any other ism. It is about seeing how all of us were enculturated in a society where the isms exist and how that may have subconsciously affected our behaviors, interactions, and relationships in all areas of our lives. Dr. Thomas Griggs asked me this and I invite you to ask yourself, “When did the isms end? Did I grow up and enculturate in this society where the isms never ended?

read full article here

What A Fabulous Journey by Penny Johns, contributed by Louise Lovdahl

I am not going to start at the beginning; this Journey starts in the middle. Over the years I have been a daughter, wife, mother, employee, director, community volunteer, church volunteer, advocate of children, and many other terms, labels, and titles we gather along our path. Although many of those activities brought pleasure I still didn’t feel the deep serenity I was craving.

In 2001 life changed on may levels. I told my husband of 23 years I wanted a divorce; the children were spreading their wings and moving on; my job (which I thought would be everything I could want or imagine) was filled with power struggles; and menopause peaked. Over the years I have attended workshops and retreats, read self-help books, gone to support groups, and taken continuing education classes. My path had been filling everyone else’s expectations.

read full article here

Women and Men in Our Community by Leslie Recht

The Woman Within community has provided me with support, close friendships, and so many new opportunities for growth. I did my weekend in Delavan in August, 1992, and jumped right into the community, staffing weekends, doing workshops and growing through conflict and resolution in my e-circle. After a few years, I moved into other programs, looking for more and different stimulation. What brought me back to the Woman Within community was the opportunity to work with men and women together, initially in an integration/empowerment ("ie") group with men and women over eight years ago. Being in an ie group was initially a shock, watching the men do clearings, trying to blow a man away with yelling and swearing, failing to own their stuff.

read full article here

Woman Within Celebration

A call to you -

What was it like the moment you felt connected - felt part of - reclaimed your place in a circle of women? When you looked into the eyes of a woman as she acknowledged you and welcomed you into this community, blessing you for the uniqueness of who you are.

What would it be like to pass your blessings on to the newly initiated woman? A woman among women, who has courageously stepped up and into the challenges of looking within and speaking her truth .. A woman who also has blessings for you and for us.

Come Find Out and Join us as we honor the graduates of the September 8-10, 2006 Woman Within Training Weekend. Your Courage, Your Spirit, Your Truths are Welcome! You are Welcome!

Sunday, September 17th
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Lake Forest Friends meeting house, 101 West Old Elm Road
(West Old Elm and Ridge Roads)
Lake Forest, Illinois (847)234-8410
(site map, see lakeforest.il.quaker.org)

Please R.S.V.P. if you are available for service, to help with the celebration
Leslie Penelope Recht (312)405-5215

In Next Month's Issue

Bettina Madini, Creative "Earth Angel" and Multi-Media Artist 
(Delavan, Sept, 2004)
   also,
     Judy Rudin, San Diego, an Interview, by Reid Baer
        (Editor, MKP Journal)
     Ayurveda by Deb Hoffman, (Delavan, June, 1990)
     "Meet me in St. Louie" by Louise Lovdahl
   

See submission guidelines for submitting articles, interviews, upcoming events, poetry, short stories, and more. Submission deadline for the October heartbeat newsletter is September 20, 2006.

Effective October, 2006, the heartbeat newsletter will only be available by email. Sign up for safe email delivery of the heartbeat newsletter here. Each month's newsletter will be archived on the www.womenincircle.org web site about a month after publication.