Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center
  • Home
  • Organization
    • Governance
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Interest
    • Staff
    • Work at Ferry Beach
  • Membership
    • For Members >
      • Strategic Plan
  • Giving
    • One-Time Giving
    • Sustaining Gifts
    • Donation Pot
    • The Beachkeeper Program
    • Quillen Shinn Society
    • Memorial Garden
    • Endowment Fund
    • Scholarship Program
    • Capital Campaigns
  • About
    • Our Mission & Values
    • History
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
  • Schedule
    • Community Dinner
    • Coffee Hour
    • Quilting Retreats
    • Summer Solstice
    • Annual Meeting
    • Personal Retreaters Week
    • Outdoor Work Week
    • Concert
    • Sand and Stars
    • Independence Getaway
    • RE Week
    • Choral Fest
    • GAYLA
    • Women's Healing
    • Family & Friends
    • Circles of Life
    • Company of Women
    • Circle of Music
    • Sacred Circle Dance
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Quilting by the Bay
    • The Beach Getaway
    • Labor Day Weekend
    • Summer Cookouts
    • AFG
    • SOS Saco Bay Conference
    • Vintage Improv
    • Kindred Spirits
  • What to Expect
    • Our Facility
    • Our Retreats
    • Our Dining Center
    • Our Accessibility
    • Our Policies
  • Lodging
  • News
    • Discovery
    • Maine Storm & Climate News
    • Blog
  • Plan a Gathering
    • Gathering Spaces
    • Planning Resources
  • Store

GAYLA News and Updates


Picture
Get a Sneak Peek at the GAYLA 41 Program Book

While not quite ready for prime time, take a sneak peek at the GAYLA 41 Program Book including descriptions of tracks, workshops themes more.
 
If you missed the email from Ferry Beach with the GAYLA 41 Welcome Letter, find it here

​Invite Friends to DAYLA

DAYLA: GAYLA for a Day is a fun way to introduce newcomers who live nearby to experience a taste of GAYLA. It’s also gives a great chance to re-introduce old friends we haven’t seen in a while. Let your friends know that registration is open now. At only $30 for a full afternoon and evening of activities and food, DAYLA even makes a great gift for friends. Overnight rooms and campsites are now available. Call for overnight rooms or register at www.ferrybeach.org/DAYLA

Michael Patrick Brings Centered Presence to GAYLA

We are lucky to feature the work of Michael Patrick, Licensed Massage Therapist, Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Certified Professional Coach, former Scientist and founder of Centered Presence, LTD. Michael will offer a morning Yoga track, free individual life coaching, afternoon workshops and a special workshop on Free Day with fellow newcomer Arnie Katz. Read about Michael and the many things he will offer at GAYLA 41 at www.centeredpresence.com/gayla

Elders to Bring Forward Two Motions

The God Mothers plan to propose two new ideas this summer. Join them for lunch on Monday or Tuesday to explore the role of leadership at GAYLA, or talk with them at any time to learn more.

3-year Terms for Coordinators  The Elders will propose a motion at Town Meeting to change the current terms for elected coordinators from 2 years to 3 years. This change is intended to offer more support for coordinators, to develop leadership and to increase continuity. It will allow coordinators more time to develop skills. You can review the full proposal here. 

New Secretary/Techno Queen Role  The Elders will also propose a new role to help with new technologies, producing newsletters, maintaining data and keeping our records from year to year. Read the proposal here. 

GAYLA Helping Hands Fundraising

One man’s past treasure is another man’s future treasure! The GAYLA silent auction is your opportunity to donate collectibles, art work, items you no longer use, etc., and it’s your opportunity to purchase them! There will also be a live auction for a few select items during the Talent No Talent (TNT) show.

All proceeds of the auctions go to the GAYLA Helping Hands fund, which makes it possible for brothers to receive financial assistance to be able to attend GAYLA. These fundraisers will happen on Thursday, before, during and after the TNT show. Please bring an open heart and your credit card, cash or checkbook!

If you would like to donate items and/or gift baskets, please contact Bill Mitchell at (978) 866-9521.

GAYLA Coordinators Announce the 2019 Summer Program Details
Read highlights of the GAYLA 41 program, including Tracks and Workshops on the GAYLA page.

Check-In Circles Honor Activists
GAYLA Check-in Circles are small groups where we create relationships and find meaning in our week. They are a great way to connect and build friendships.  Like all other activities at GAYLA, Check In Circles are optional, but we encourage you to attend at least one day before deciding. 

This year, Check-In Circles will be named in honor of activists and organizations representing us before and during the Stonewall Riots in 1969. We’ll honor familiar names like Marsha P. Johnson, and the Gay Liberation Front in New York. We’ll also honor those working in other parts of the country like Harry Hay and the Mattachine Society. Read about all the activists we'll honor here.

Picture
The Look of 41 
GAYLA's theme for 2019, The Light of GAYLA/Beacon of Hope, builds on Ferry Beach's theme of Hope. Troy Liston created this stunning image to inspire our week. Thank you, Troy, for sharing your talents and vision.

​Welcoming Reception
The New Big Brothers
 
Excitement. Antici…pation. Abject fear!
 
Arriving at GAYLA, whether for the first time or 41st, can bring both joy and anxiety. Newcomers aren’t sure what their room will look like or if they’ll fit in. Returners are thinking about the balance on their bill and how close they can park close to where they will sleep. And we navigate this while greeting each other on the crowded Quillen Porch.
 
At GAYLA 41 we’re trying something new.  We’ll arrive at Quillen as usual. We’ll settle our bills and get our schedules, Check In Circle assignments and nametags. We’ll take pictures, and finish any other business to start the week.
 
Then comes something new. We’ll head to DeWolfe Porch for a Welcoming Reception. We’ll have snacks, music and nametag decorating. There may be a friendly game of volleyball – watch out, Crew! And there will be plenty of rocking chairs to catch up with new and old friends as they join the festivities.
 
Check In Circle Leaders and greeters will meet newcomers at DeWolfe. Campus tours will depart at 3:00, 3:30 and 5:00 pm. Before GAYLA, each newcomer will receive a special letter and individual phone call to help them prepare.
 
We hope these changes will make arriving at GAYLA more relaxed, and help resolve some of the recent challenges of the Big Brother program. We’ll learn from this experiment, and keep improving in future years.
 
So, this July we’ll see you at the Welcoming Reception on DeWolfe Porch!

​DAYLA 2019
​
 
Last summer 30 newcomers and old friends joined us for DAYLA: GAYLA for a Day. This year DAYLA will be Sunday July 14, 1:30-10:00 pm.  For only $30, guests will enjoy a full afternoon and evening of activities, outdoor BBQ, Friendship Circle on the beach, and more. DAYLA introduces newcomers to the spiritual connection and infectious fun of GAYLA. Let your friends know they can call Ferry Beach at 207-282-4489 and register today.
Picture
Jay Thomas is a trained Shamanic Practitioner who has led rituals at Boston Living Soulfully, Easton Mountain and other retreats for men who love men.
The afternoon will feature a ritual in the Grove led by Shamanic Practitioner Jay Thomas. We will use the  elements Fire, Water, Earth and Air to embrace how we are Beacons of Hope. 

​In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, after dinner we’ll create a 1969 Love-In Dance. Dance to music like Hair, Sugar Sugar, Honkey Tonk Women, and Dizzy.
Picture
It’s not too soon to plan your outfit! 1969 was a year of Madmen and Hippies, Rayon and big prints. Psychedelic colors and bell bottoms. Soupy Sales and Joanne Worley. The Archies and The Beatles. Get it? Head to your local thrift shop and shopping! Or just wear a t-shirt and shorts. Just don’t forget your dancing shoes. ​​

​GAYLA T-Shirt Day

Sunday June 2 is GAYLA’s first-ever T-Shirt Day. Post pictures of yourself wearing a GAYLA T-Shirt on Facebook and tag Gayla At Ferry Beach for a chance to win a prize. Photos can be new or old, but must be posted on June 2. Watch for more details.
Picture
Return to GAYLA Page
News Archives

Read the GAYLA MAY 2018 Newsletter HERE

Read the GAYLA MARCH 2017 Newsletter HERE
​

Read the GAYLA November 2017 Newsletter HERE
​

Read the GAYLA JULY 2017 Newsletter HERE
​

​Read the GAYLA JUNE 2017 Newsletter HERE
​

Read the GAYLA APRIL 2017 Newsletter HERE

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.  
Picture
Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center is a 501(c)3 membership organization. 
Our mission is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love.  We accomplish our mission through work in the areas of
​arts & culture, education, spirituality, sustainability, personal growth and justice & action.
Picture
Copyright © 2024
Ferry Beach Retreat & Conference Center
5 Boardwalk Drive, Saco, ME 04072 - Our Address has Changed.  Click here to learn more.
​phone 207.282.4489  • fax 207.690.4800
​
[email protected]
Privacy Policy
​Accessibility Statement
Email Webmaster
  • Home
  • Organization
    • Governance
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Interest
    • Staff
    • Work at Ferry Beach
  • Membership
    • For Members >
      • Strategic Plan
  • Giving
    • One-Time Giving
    • Sustaining Gifts
    • Donation Pot
    • The Beachkeeper Program
    • Quillen Shinn Society
    • Memorial Garden
    • Endowment Fund
    • Scholarship Program
    • Capital Campaigns
  • About
    • Our Mission & Values
    • History
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
  • Schedule
    • Community Dinner
    • Coffee Hour
    • Quilting Retreats
    • Summer Solstice
    • Annual Meeting
    • Personal Retreaters Week
    • Outdoor Work Week
    • Concert
    • Sand and Stars
    • Independence Getaway
    • RE Week
    • Choral Fest
    • GAYLA
    • Women's Healing
    • Family & Friends
    • Circles of Life
    • Company of Women
    • Circle of Music
    • Sacred Circle Dance
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Quilting by the Bay
    • The Beach Getaway
    • Labor Day Weekend
    • Summer Cookouts
    • AFG
    • SOS Saco Bay Conference
    • Vintage Improv
    • Kindred Spirits
  • What to Expect
    • Our Facility
    • Our Retreats
    • Our Dining Center
    • Our Accessibility
    • Our Policies
  • Lodging
  • News
    • Discovery
    • Maine Storm & Climate News
    • Blog
  • Plan a Gathering
    • Gathering Spaces
    • Planning Resources
  • Store