Annual Mid-Atlantic Area Gathering of ASA

HOSTED BY BERKSHIRE-TACONIC BRANCH

The Berkshire-Taconic Branch would like to invite individuals and branches in the mid-Atlantic area to gather on Saturday, November 19, at Mettabee Farm and Arts, 551 Harlemville Road, Hillsdale, NY, www.mettabeefarm.com.

In an attempt to bring members of the Society together once a year who live within one day’s travel by car so we can get to know one another, share how we work in our Branches, and work together on an anthroposophical theme, there have been two gatherings in Kimberton, three in Spring Valley, last year at Anthroposophy NYC (the NYC branch), and this year we will be hosted by the Berkshire-Taconic Branch.

The theme for the last several years has been Conversation.

Inspired by the sessions led by Franz Eilers over the last three years at our Mid-Atlantic Gatherings, we are taking up the theme of Conversation as a Path of Spiritual Research once again, this time based on the three Practices in the Foundation Stone Meditation. The elements which we have found to be extremely fruitful include:
1) Preparation and sharing: Prepare by sharing an agreed upon content succinctly.
2) Listen deeply to the other.
3) Exchange a few immediate thoughts/responses.
4) SILENCE for ~ 10 minutes, in which each works to inwardly re-create what has been said and be open to how the thoughts grow and connect with other thoughts.
5) Share with each other what came during the silence.
6) Exchange brief responses.

Agenda
09:00 Socializing with light refreshments (and coffee!) for travelers as they arrive
09:30 Patrice Maynard will welcome everyone on behalf of the Berkshire-Taconic Branch and open the day
09:40 Singing together
10:00 Conversation Exercise based on Spirit-Remembering
11:30 Drama Workshop with Laurie Portocarrero
12:00 Lunch (during which people are encouraged to talk to someone from another Branch) will be provided from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Store
1:30 Sharing from the Region (each Branch should prepare a brief presentation)
2:30 Conversation Exercise based on Spirit-Sensing
3:30 Break
4:00 Conversation Exercise based on Spirit-Beholding
5:15 Drama Workshop with Laurie Portocarrero
5:45 Closing with Verse for America by Rudolf Steiner
6:00 Dinner on your own
7:30 Artistic Performance at Mettabee Farm

It would be extremely helpful for the hosts to hear in advance from people who plan to attend.
Please contact Patrice (patrice@waldorf-research.org) with your RSVP.

We are asking for a voluntary contribution of $50/person(including lunch) to be brought on the day or mailed in advance to: Berkshire-Taconic Branch, PO Box 24, Philmont, NY 12565. Please include in the memo that the check is for the Nov 19th Mid-Atlantic Branch Gathering. This will go towards honoraria for the artists and to Berkshire-Taconic Branch, but if this is too much, we are open to receive less. No one should stay away for financial reasons. Lodging in this area will be provided upon request with registration.

With warm greetings from the Coordinating Group,
Joyce Reilly, Sherry Wildfeuer, Gino Ver Eecke, Patrice Maynard, David Schwartz