| Salem, Oregon Event
Unity of Salem devoted a full week to the
Gather the Women celebration. A unique program,
designed around the suggested GTW themes was scheduled for
each night of the week. (See photos below) Unity opened its
week with a "kickoff event" entitled "together
We Can." This was attended by men and women. some 150
people assembled in Loucks Auditorium, Salem Public Library
to hear dynamic speakers and music. A description of Sunday's
event, complete with photos and a schedule of the week's activities,
made the front page of the local section in Monday's paper,
The Statesman Journal.
Overall the week was a great success; average nightly attendance
was between 50-60 women. As a group, the women felt moved
and inspired. When it was over they were sorry to go home.
Some representative comments from participants:
"Each night was a warm, nurturing, nesting place to
come and be with other women."
"Fed each night in a different way."
"A growing, deepening experience for me."
"Felt oneness, especially in the shawl blessing."
"It was a quenching experience that fed my soul."
"Reaching out to all sisters of the world felt great."
Rev. Georgie Richardson welcoming
participants to GTW at Unity of Salem.
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Candles lit for Women of the World.
Each colored candle represented a different group of
women (e.g., Asian women, Arab women, Latina women,
Jewish women, etc.) One candle represented Women Otherwise
Not Named. Each evening at Unity was opened by the lighting
of the candles for the Women of the world) |
Below, photos from March 5: An Evening for
Forgiveness. Above is the team who facilitated
the process of releasing and healing (Left to right)
Lavonne Butler, Elaine Thomas,
June Hadlock, Kara Driskell,
Blythe Eastman, Rosie Daily.
Small group discussion during Visioning
for the Future.
Alexis McKenna, PhD., (above) facilitates
An Evening of Purposeful Action: Visioning for the Future.
Planting the Seeds of positive change we wish to see
in the world. |
The healing process was facilitated by the "Taking
of the Shawl," a Native American tradition of Paiute
origins. "Wearing the Shawl is coming home to the
arms of the Earth Mother and being loved. The responsibility
of Taking the Shawl is being loving given to others
who have forgotten the Sacred Path or the way home."
Pam Prichard leads sufi dancing in
an Evening of Celebration : Moving Forward |
Unity of Salem Singers providing musical inspiration.
Left to right: Joanie Light, Kim
French and Candace Norwood |
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Closing Ceremony:
One Word Prayer for the World
Each woman comes forward with her candle, lights it
from the main candle, utters her one word prayer for
the world and then places the lit candle in the sand.
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