Courage for the Journey
“Some journeys are direct, and some are circuitous; some are heroic, and some are fearful and muddled. But every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.” Parker J. Palmer
We invite you to join the Vermont Cohort as we enter our 24rd year of Courage practice-in-community. The cohort, which last year welcomed wholehearted individuals from 8 states, including as far away as Texas, consists of three in-person gatherings, the first weekends of November, February and May, with two zoom calls in between sessions to cultivate connection.
We extend welcome to join this community to align soul and role. The Vermont Courage Cohort meets seasonally to practice the principles, tools and habits of The Center for Courage & Renewal, based on the work of activist and educator, Parker J. Palmer. By gathering over the arc of seasons, people have a chance to cultivate connection over time and weave a container that builds brave space for inner and outer work.
Are you:
Concerned with the state of the world?
Feeling challenged on how to hold complexities in these divisive times?
Seeking ways to cultivate your courage to face inner and outer challenges?
Wanting to contribute to a community committed to holding tensions in life-giving ways?
Looking for a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect to your inner knowing?
Registration for the Vermont Courage Cohort is open and accepting applications. Participation in the cohort includes invitations for reflection, small group sharing, Courage practices, Clearness Committee and time on land for connection to place.
Retreat Sessions are based on Circle of Trust© Approach:
Generous Listening to oneself & others
Practicing Open & Honest Questions
Exploring Courage Principles and Practices, Habits of the Heart and Core Values
Individual Reflection through poetry, music, creative expression and connection with the natural world as ways into discoveries to navigate these stormy times with integrity and courage.
Renewal modalities to strengthen our heart-cores
Clearness Committees based on the Quaker tradition to hear inner wisdom while exploring life questions.
“By choosing integrity, I become more whole, but wholeness does not mean perfection. It means becoming more real by acknowledging the whole of who I am.” ― Parker J. Palmer
Dates:
Circles of Trust© Retreats: Thursdays 5:00 pm - Saturdays 3 pm
November 2-4, 2023; February 1-3, 2024; May 2-4, 2024
Evening Calls: January 11 and March 14, Thursdays 6-8 pm ET via zoom
Location: Hallelujah Farm Retreat Center in Chesterfield, New Hampshire
Hallelujah Farm is nestled into the southwest corner of New Hampshire, just outside of Brattleboro, VT. Fields and woods provide spaciousness for reflection, ramblings and connection with nature. Accommodations are double rooms only. If you are needing single room accommodations, please choose the day rate and plan to make your own lodging arrangements. Please note, all meals are provided for all participants.
Travel: Hallelujah Farm is 13 minutes from Brattleboro, VT; 2.5 hours from Burlington, VT; 2 hours from Boston, MA; 1.5 hours from the Manchester NH and Hartford CT airports.
Facilitator Team: Rob Meyer & Ally Oswald. Rob became a facilitator through the Center for Courage and Renewal in 2016. He was a member of the Vermont Courage and Renewal Cohort for 4 years and practices courage work in the healthcare community in Boston. Ally has been a member of the Vermont Cohort for over 10 years and has apprenticed facilitation for 2. She has been integrating Courage into the public school setting in Southern Vermont. They bring a commitment to Courage work and a deep appreciation for creating reflective space, extending welcome for depth and humor and diving deeply into learning edges to cultivate the courage needed in these times. For more information, visit the WholeHeart team page.
Cost: includes all meals, facilitation and materials. There are two choices for accommodations:
Overnight guest: $2,100 (double room)
Day guest: $1,500
Payment can be paid in full at registration or in monthly installments. For monthly payment plans, an initial registration payment of $400 will reserve your spot for the year.
In the spirit of extending welcome, the WholeHeart community rallies to raise scholarship funds each year through Valentines of Gratitude. This fund provides support to increase access and welcome. As a part of the registration process, requests are invited.
If you would like to support this work, and are unable to attend, your contribution to pay it forward to another participant can be offered through the WholeHeart Contribution page.
Five graduate education credits are available through Castleton University for completing this program and a final project. Please email Holly for details.