2. Interconnectedness of Life

  3. 3rd – 5th May 2013

  4. Weekend Retreat at the
    Quaker Community, Water Lane, Bamford, Hope Valley, S33 0DA


  6. Starts with supper at about 7pm on Friday 3rd May. Finishes at 3pm on Sunday 5th May.  Cost of the retreat: £90 including accommodation (single and shared twin rooms) and food (organic, vegetarian).

  7. In this retreat we will explore what we can learn from the incredible way life works, using experiential group activities.

  8. Through inspiring images and film clips from the natural world and accompanying participatory exercises we’ll delve into the world as an interdependent, dynamic, living system.

  9. There will be time outside to practice becoming aware of the patterns and relationships in nature – and to examine how this could inform the way we act in the world

  10. What would our lives, communities, economy and society look like if we moved from a paradigm of control to participation? We’ll look at how we can act with responsiveness, joy, flexibility and collaboration.

  11. Venue

  12. We’ll be living as part of the Quaker Community in Bamford, with optional twice-daily community worship. Everyone is encouraged to get involved in preparation and/or washing up for community meals. Accommodation will mostly be in single rooms although if we are full some people will need to share. Bedding and towels are provided.

  13. Food                                                                                                                                           Food will be organic and vegetarian, with provision for special diets (vegan, wheat free, gluten free, sugar free etc.) if requested in advance.

  14. Facilitator

  15. The weekend will be facilitated by Robin de Carteret see www.systemsgames.org.uk  for more info.

  16. What to bring

  17. The Community is surrounded by beautiful riverside and hill walks. If you’d like to get out during free time on the Saturday, do bring appropriate clothing and footwear. Paths may be very muddy.

  18. You may find a torch helpful, especially if you are arriving after 6 p.m. as our lane is unlit.

  19. It would be lovely if you could bring something sweet or savoury to share during breaks.


  21. Friday 3rd May

  22. 4.30 – 6.30  Arrivals. Drinks available. Supper preparation.

  23. 7.00 – 8.00  Supper

  24. 8.00 – 9.30  Session 1: Creating relationship. Introduction session. Overview of the course, getting to know each other, hearing from everyone. A few activities to share who you are and what you hope to get from the weekend.

  25. 9.30 – 9.45  Epilogue


  27. Saturday 4th May

  28. 7.00 – 9.00  Breakfast

  29. 7.45 – 8.30  Meeting for Worship

  30. 9.15 – 10.30  Session 2: Thinking in Systems. Exploring an interconnected worldview through experiential activities, and inspiring images and film clips from the natural world. Looking at interdependence, emergence, and tipping points. [1hr15]

  31. 10.30 – 11.00  Refreshment break

  32. 11.00 – 12.30  Session 3: Living at the Edge of Chaos. With more participatory exercises inspired by natural living systems we look at what we can learn from the way complex systems self-organise and what this might mean in your life and work. [1hr30]

  33. 1.00 – 2.00  Lunch then free time

  34. 2.00-4.30  Unstructured time for rest, walks and/or creative activity (art, writing, discussion, reflection).

  35. 4.30 – 5.00  Refreshments

  36. 5.00 – 6.30  Session 5: Developing our relationship with nature. Outside nature connection and awareness activities and developing your intuition. Becoming aware of the patterns and relationships in nature – how does this inform how we act in the world? [1hr30]

  37. 6.30 – 7.30  Supper

  38. 7.45 – 9.00  Around the fireside: Sharing stories, poems, songs, music, games, whether relevant to the themes of the retreat or freely chosen.  Please bring anything you would like to share.

  39. 9.00 – 9.15  Epilogue


  41. Sunday 5th May

  42. 7.00 – 8.15  Breakfast

  43. 8.30 – 10.00  Session 7: From Control to Participation: What would our lives, communities, economy and society look like if we moved from a paradigm of control to participation? Presentation, experiential activities and discussion on how we can act with responsiveness, joy, flexibility and collaboration. [1hr30]


  45. 10.00 – 10.45  Break and lunch preparation

  46. 10.45 – 11.45  Meeting for Worship with Hope Valley Quaker Meeting

  47. 12.30 – 2.00  Lunch and packing up to go.

  48. 2.00 – 3.00  Closing session: Bringing it all together and looking forward [1hr]



 
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