In The Company of Women
August 14 - August 20, 2022
August 14 - August 20, 2022
Description
Workshops
Conference Leadership
Pricing
Description
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Come relax, refresh and renew, … In the Company of Women, where you can bring your full authentic self to be welcomed and appreciated by caring, curious, creative, supportive and friendly companions in a safe and loving environment.
We engage in meaningful, fun, and challenging experiences to discover more about ourselves, embracing each other in a friendly community of belonging; and appreciating each other for who we are deep down, beyond the many roles we tend to take on as women. Learn something new, rediscover joy, or safely share your grief, – embraced by a caring community. However you identify your sexual orientation (Gay, Bi, Lesbian, or Straight…), no matter whom you love, you are welcome here. You can look forward to activities such as: drumming, dancing, nature walks, yoga, sharing our stories/building connections to our deeper selves and others, leisure time, reveling in sunny beach time, guest speakers and concerts, music, singing, writing workshops, and the time honored summer camp tradition of arts & crafts! Come explore and/or just BE. The ocean waves, the intimate talks, the smiles and laughter; Ahhhh! You deserve this! Magic has been known to happen during “Women’s Week” as we truly express ourselves; and reclaim that Vital Spirit of Empowerment. Oh yes; as one participant said, “it’s like Soul Camp for the Feminine Heart!” Note: We believe that no woman should be excluded due to lack of funds, so we have set up partial scholarships. There is also the possibility of a shortened stay or commuting for a day or more. In other words, a “no excuses” policy… because you’re worth it! Please apply for scholarships by 7/1/22, here. |
“I’m a woman
Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.” ~ Maya Angelou In the Company of Women Newsletter
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Workshops
2022 Workshop Information
There will also be ample free time for beach walks, soaking up rays,
exploring the nearby state park, napping or whatever you wish.
More Workshops Are on The Way...
exploring the nearby state park, napping or whatever you wish.
More Workshops Are on The Way...
Morning Programs
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Writing a Memoir ~ Carolyn Bonier Have you ever thought of writing a memoir? If so, who are you writing it for? Just for yourself, for those coming after you? For publication? What will you write about? Do you have to tell all? How will you approach it and get started? This workshop will address these questions and any others you might have. This is not a “how to write” workshop, although we will incorporate some writing exercises and sharing to get our creative juice flowing and learn a bit about what is important to us in our own life story. Carolyn Bonier feels that she survived the first year of lockdown by writing an illustrated short memoir for her grandchildren and a longer one for her children. She discovered that this project gave her life purpose and meaning during the long months in lockdown with only her at the long view of her life. Carolyn had never thought of herself as a writer and learned as she went along. She also found the hard way that there are pitfalls best to be avoided. Happily, she has concluded that she perhaps is a writer and is currently working on her first piece of fiction. Her Memoirs are hand-illustrated with her own watercolors which add a layer of creativity and self-expression words alone don’t fully capture. Carolyn, a retired psychotherapist, enjoys life with her Russian refugee dog Gina and her children and grandchildren from a distance since they live in Canada and Maryland. |
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“In Praise Of” ~ Sharon Smith-Raska
So often we forget to reflect and give voice to the great, the grand, and even the smallest lovely elements of our lives. This workshop can allow each of us time to reflect on just what it is that we would like to praise. Sharon will have a few samples (one even written by a ninth grade girl this year in which she praised RAIN!), and then offer time for reflection and writing. The best part of this exercise is that often what surfaces is something we do not even realize we would like to praise. After a period of writing, we can all, hopefully, share what we have written and what we would like to praise. Sharon Smith-Raska has been an English teacher in the same district in New Jersey for 45 years. Love of reading, writing and discussing is what has fueled all those years. After two decades of attending ITCOW at Ferry Beach, Sharon looks forward to every August; she loves the week of sisterhood and the support we all give to each other when we are together and when we are apart. |
Spiritual Workshop - TBD ~ Jody McAssey
Jody McAssey is a writer, a ritualist, and a spiritual seeker. A student of mindfulness and meditation for over fifty years, Jody comes to us as a contemplative who thrives in community.
She is a graduate of the Rowe Center's Spiritual Guidance Program and a student of the great mystics. She strives to live her life as if on permanent retreat. She joins us eagerly.
Jody McAssey is a writer, a ritualist, and a spiritual seeker. A student of mindfulness and meditation for over fifty years, Jody comes to us as a contemplative who thrives in community.
She is a graduate of the Rowe Center's Spiritual Guidance Program and a student of the great mystics. She strives to live her life as if on permanent retreat. She joins us eagerly.
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Shamanic Journey and the path of direct revelation ~ Jody Breton
Jody brings to her Shamanic Wisdom & Teaching practice many years of experiential study of ancient healing and spiritual pathways. In the earliest years of her practice, Jody began her journey into a Shamanic life path when she met and studied with her first teacher and mentor in 1995. Although, her first mystical experiences occurred in Nature as a young child. Jody regularly facilitates and participates in the ceremonies and lifeways of her teachings. Jody enjoys sharing her knowledge of the shamanic life-way in small workshop settings and in one on one mentorship programs of her design teaching relevant, everyday uses and practical applications of an ancient, multi-cultural spiritual practice that supports the enrichment of all aspects of our lives while supporting the lives of all beings in the great web of life. MaineShamanism.com Upcoming study opportunity: Awakening To Spirit: Shamanic Apprenticeship Program - September 2022-June 2023 Applicants accepted now- August 1st: https://www.maineshamanism.com/workshops-mentoring/ |
Afternoon Activities
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"Hair Flair" ~ Leah Goat
One of our beloved women mentioned that her COVID hair reminds her of her hairstyle at five years old, when she used to wear a barrette… and a workshop was born! Bring your favorite styles of old barrettes, clips, and hair combs or select from ones I’ll provide. We’ll have lots of trimmings to choose from—fabric flowers, ribbons, fun bits and pieces to glue or sew on. Or work with driftwood or other beach treasures. If your favorite childhood barrette had stars or scotties, bring some along, for a trip down memory lane and a chance to dress up your ‘do! Leah Goat has been leading workshops at ITCoW for longer than she can remember and loves handwork. She also loves seeing what each of us creates that is uniquely ours. She’s a retired librarian/historic preservationist and active gardener living in Hanover, NH. |
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"Create a Personal Altar" ~ Mitch Beck
Create a personal portable altar by repurposing and decorating a small box and filling with items that have special meaning for you. Wooden cigar boxes will be provided but shoe boxes and any other type of sturdy box work great if you would like to bring your own! Mitch will have materials available for your use including images, paint and glitter, but please bring anything you think you might want to incorporate. Mitch facilitates healing art groups incorporating visual art, journaling, movement and dance to promote creativity and well being for a healthier life. She lives in VT with her puppy Shen Shen. They love to take long walks and do messy collage together (SS uses all the floors in the house as his canvas!) |
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"Soul Collage" ~ Denise VanVooren
SoulCollage® is a method of self-discovery through the creation and intuitive analysis of a deck of collaged cards. We will cover the very basics to learn the techniques of SoulCollage® and create at least one card. This is a gentle yet deep self-care method that reveals your inner guidance and access your intuition by creating cards with deep personal meaning. What begins as simple creative fun, may suddenly surprise and awaken you as you as you ‘step into’ the images, listen to their story and get in touch with your inner wisdom. The process is simple, fun and profound. Anyone able to manage scissors and a glue stick can create beautiful cards and enjoy sharing them with others. Denise has been a SoulCollage® workshop facilitator for several years and loves combining art with spirituality and has a collection of thousands of images to share. All materials will be supplied – cards, images, glue sticks, scissors & instructions. |
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Book Sharing “Porch Chat” ~ Sharon Smith-Raska
Join us for the ever-popular conversation as avid readers and book lovers talk about their favorites and share their recommendations. Sharon is a life-long reader and has taught English for many decades and loves sharing ideas about life and our own experiences, and hopes to spend a few hours doing just that with the women of Women’s Week at Ferry Beach.
Join us for the ever-popular conversation as avid readers and book lovers talk about their favorites and share their recommendations. Sharon is a life-long reader and has taught English for many decades and loves sharing ideas about life and our own experiences, and hopes to spend a few hours doing just that with the women of Women’s Week at Ferry Beach.
Evening Activities
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Journey Dance ~ Sherry Lundquist
Ferry Beach has long been integral in my spiritual life and it has been a joy to be part of In the company of Women for the past 17 years. I have laughed, cried, created, sung, danced, and grown with y'all- my circle of sisters. This year I am honored and grateful to offer Sherry's Journey Dance, a 90-minute exploration of gentle movement, play, joy, connection, and of course, the always popular dancing with scarves. We will tell our stories using our bodies and breath. (There will be a time for integration and processing so we will not be dancing for 90 minutes! ) All are welcome to join in, even if you don't think you are a "dancer". There are no steps to learn and no wrong way to do it. All you need is an open heart and a willingness to explore moving in a loving circle of sisters. Chairs will be available and there will be no judgment, only love. Come join us on the dance floor! See you there. |
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Trivia Night ~ with our beloved Emcee Judy Tator
Judy says “As much as you probably want to study and memorize this year’s Almanac and the latest encyclopedia, it probably won’t help. Your memories are all we ask of you and a willingness to have fun.” |
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Talent - No Talent Night
Sharing the stage once again with our friends from the Circle of Music - It’s never too early to start thinking about what lovely offering or crazy-fun antics you’ll WOW us with.
Sharing the stage once again with our friends from the Circle of Music - It’s never too early to start thinking about what lovely offering or crazy-fun antics you’ll WOW us with.
Conference Leadership
Coordinator
Denise VanVooren is no stranger to Ferry Beach, having attended In the Company of Women three times, twice as minister of the week. She has embraced the many opportunities retirement has offered including volunteering as a chaplain, practicing as a Reiki Master and SoulCollage® facilitator, actively embracing community in her condo association and church, as well as participating in multiple poetry, writing, and meditation groups. She has found deep connections with the women in the Ferry Beach group that have continued to offer meaningful friendships throughout the year. Multiple women step forward to prepare for the week and offer their talent and enthusiasm throughout the week to offer special programs, lead workshops and facilitate conversations, fun events, art projects etc. It’s truly a group effort!
Minister of the Week
Li Kynvi serves as the intern minister at the First Parish Church of Groton UU, and is a ministerial candidate. Li has been a board-certified music therapist since the ‘90s, working the past 15 years full-time in hospice. Li has been deeply influenced by living overseas; by transforming pain; by community and friends; by 10-day Zen Peacemaker retreats at Auschwitz-Birkenau; and by raising their 2 complicated young adult children, one with profound intellectual and physical disabilities. Deeply joyful at heart, Li is fueled by music, prayer, meditation, humor, and deep connection.
You can listen to one of Li’s reflections here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-35qTnCIxdk and a sample of their singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAFkqYw-fNk&t=44s
You can listen to one of Li’s reflections here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-35qTnCIxdk and a sample of their singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAFkqYw-fNk&t=44s
Pricing
Pricing per Person |
Adult: $384.00 (Includes Conference Fees + Meals) Off-Site Daily Fee: $64.00 Adult / $47.00 Youth (Includes all Meals) On-Site Daily Fee: $19.00 (Staying On Campus and Not Registered for Programming. Does not include Meals) |
Lodging |
Lodging Prices Vary. See our Lodging Page for pricing information. |
Membership |
Membership must be paid to attend any Ferry Beach program and is due annually. Individual Membership: $35.00 Family Membership: $60.00 See our Membership Page to learn more and to purchase or renew a membership. |
Scholarships Available: We believe that no woman should be excluded due to lack of funds, so we have set up partial scholarships. There is also the possibility of a shortened stay or commuting for a day or more. In other words, a “no excuses” policy… because you’re worth it! 2021 scholarship deadline has passed.
Call 207-282-4489 x1 to Register by Phone
Our mission at Ferry Beach is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
