Welcome to the January 2008 edition of the Laconneau Monthly
Newsletter.
Laconneau Newsletter Archive:
http://www.laconneau.com/NewsletterArchive.html
IN THIS ISSUE
§ Book of the Month
§ Upcoming Festival
§ Upcoming Pilgrimage
§ Regional Events & News
§ Contact Laconneau
JANUARY BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Gospel of Philip:
Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the Gnosis of Sacred Union
By Jean-Yves Leloup
From Booklist
The Gnostic Gospel of Philip, discovered in 1947 at Nag Hammadi, Egypt,
is best known for a verse that portrays Jesus kissing Mary Magdalene on
the lips. Although this is the most visual image in that gospel, the
underlying message, about the sacredness of the marital union, was also
controversial in early Christianity, as it established closer links to Judaism
and the belief in a space of holiness that can occur in the physical act of
love. Leloup, who has also written on the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, here
translates Philip's gospel from the Coptic (Joseph Rowe translates Leloup's
French into English) and offers a rather brief analysis of the text (he
promises more in a future book). Still, what he does cover--ways to look at
conception, birth, and the relationship between man, woman, and God--is
well thought out and understandable to the lay reader. Most of the book is
taken up with actual translation and visuals of the Coptic original from
which Leloup worked. Ilene Cooper
Visit the Reading Room:
http://www.laconneau.org/readingroom.html
LACONNEAU SPRING FESTIVAL
Laconneau Spring Festival
Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27, 2008
Artemis House, Greenville, NC
All across Celtic Europe, the season of Imbolc ended at the spring festival,
marking the beginning of summer. As with the Fall Festival, this is a time
between dark and light, night and day, winter and summer.
We are holding the Spring Festival in full accord with the principles of our
Tradition. Come join us at Artemis House in Greenville, North Carolina for this
wonderful weekend of council discussion, workshops, feminine spirituality and
festivities. Lend your voice to the power and love of other sisters such as yourself
who feel a burning need to see change in this world.
The fee for the festival is $275.00. To register, please contact Elaine at
Greenville@laconneau.org. To reserve your space, please submit your deposit in
the amount of $150.00 by March 25th. The remaining balance for this event is
due at the festival. Housing is $40.00 per night, payable to your respective
hostesses. Please also budget for $20.00 per day to cover lunches, altar materials,
and Elaine's increased electric bill.
More Information on the Spring Festival:
http://www.laconneau.org/festivalspring.html
LACONNEAU SPRING PILGRIMAGE
Magdalene: Mother of France
A Pilgrimage to Southern France
Tuesday, April 1 – Thursday, April 10, 2008
For centuries, pilgrims have ascended the winding way to the abbey church of the
Magdalene crowning the hill at Vezelay, often crawling on their hands and knees
in penitence and petition. Construction on the basilica of La Madeleine began in
1096 and it very quickly became the fourth most popular of all sites of Christian
pilgrimage, attesting to the enormous sway that the Magdalene still held over the
hearts and minds of the population of that time, a thousand years after her death.
Based on legends that she and her family had fled to Gaul as refugees before the
first orthodox gospels were even written, the fascination and hold that Mary
Magdalene held over this ancient land was both powerful and mystifying. What
was the fascination that has held a whole nation in its thrall for nearly two
millennia? Was Mary really the founder of the Celtic Church? Was there a
connection between Mary and the Cathars? If so, has her cult survived to this day
in the countryside of Celtic Europe?
After the death of Yeshua, did Mary really flee from Jerusalem to travel to
Southern France with her sister Martha, her brother Lazarus, Joseph of
Arimithea, and other disciples, to work and preach among the people of Gaul and
eventually to found the Celtic Church before supposedly retiring from public life
to spend the last thirty years of her life in a hermit’s cave in the mountains of Ste.
Baume? Is there any real evidence to support the popular theories and legends
behind the life of this mysterious woman?
What, if any, was the connection between Mary and Joan of Arc, the Fifteenth
Century teenage heroine and prophetess, who liberated France and crowned her
king under her curious battle standard bearing the names IhesusMaria,
only then to be condemned as a heretic and to die, abandoned by her king, in the
flames of the stake upon the orders of the Roman Church and its Inquisition?
What was it about this mysterious woman that led her followers, Cathar and
others like them, to die in their thousands during the holocaust of the
Albigensian crusade rather than deny their faith and belief? Join with us as we
travel through the magnificent country of Southern France to make a spiritual
journey back in time to explore this fascinating legend, and attempt to find
answers to some of these questions. Marvel with us as we seek to understand the
wondrous power of this extraordinary yet enigmatic woman who left behind such
a rich spiritual heritage, and yet with whom history has dealt so harshly, and with
such premeditated injustice. Our pilgrimage starts upon your arrival in Marseille
on the morning of Monday, March 31, 2008, and ends when we deliver you to
Toulouse Airport on the afternoon of Thursday, April 10, 2008. Please note that
should you wish to travel earlier, or remain later than the dates above, you are
free to do so. As stated above, our pilgrimage starts on April 1 and finishes on
April 10.
Pilgrimage Online:
http://www.laconneau.org/Pilgrimages.html
GEORGIA: January Events
Monday, January 7, 2008
Women's Circle 7:00PM
TBD
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Meditation 6:30PM
Atlanta, GA
Friday, January 18, 2008
Movies & Pizza 7:00PM
Peaceful Warrior
Marietta, GA
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Yard Sale 8:00 AM – 4:00PM
Marietta, GA
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Meditation 12:30PM
Gainesville, GA
Monday, January 21, 2008
Women’s Circle 7:00 PM
TBD
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Atlanta Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarAtlantaGA.html
Atlanta Region Coordinator: Lorrie - georgia@laconneau.org
THE CAROLINAS: January Events
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Women's Circle 8:00PM
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Laconneau Reunion 7:00PM
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed any Level, including an Introductory Course
Friday, January 18, 2008
Women's Circle 8:00PM
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Level 1 Beginner's Course 10:00AM
Greenville, NC
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Level 1 Beginner's Course 10:00AM
Chapel Hill, NC
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Meditation 12:00PM
Film Screening 2:00PM
Cathares: Secrets & Legendes
Greenville, NC
Greenville Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarGreenvilleNC.html
Greenville Region Coordinator: Elaine - Greenville@laconneau.org
PENNSYLVANIA: January Events
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Meditation 12:30PM
Philadelphia, PA
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Film Screening 7:00PM
Peaceful Warrior
Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Philadelphia Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarPhiladelphiaPA.html
Philadelphia Region Coordinator: Anna - philadelphia@laconneau.org
WASHINGTON, DC: January Events
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Introduction to Laconneau 7:30PM
Beallsville, MD
Friday, January 11, 2008
Magdalene Seminar 7:30PM
Washington, DC
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Magdalene Seminar 10:00AM (Continued)
Washington, DC
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Women’s Circle 8:00PM
Washington, DC
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM
Washington, DC
Monday, January 14, 2008
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM
Washington, DC
Saturday, January 19, 20008
Museum Trip to Sackler Gallery 3:00PM
Objects from Vani
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Washington, DC
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Meditation 5:00PM
Washington, DC
DC Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarWashingtonDC.html
DC Region Coordinator: Lorely - dc@laconneau.org
REGIONAL NEWS
Laconneau is pleased to announce that a scholarship fund has been established to
assist women who are unable to afford the cost of classes. If you are in need of a
scholarship, please contact your local Laconneau coordinator. If you would like
to make a donation to the scholarship fund, please make your check out to Nancy
Van Cleave and send it to P.O. Box 261 Kingston, NJ 08528. If you have
questions, email Nancy at nancy@laconneau.org.
France News:
Laconneau is planning to offer a limited opportunity for a small group of
Tradition members to complete Le Sentier Cathares in the Languedoc in the
Autumn of 2008. More details will be available in upcoming newsletters.
News from the Carolinas:
A reunion is planned for women who have participated in Laconneau classes in
the last few years. The reunion will be held at Artemis House in Greenville. It
will begin at 6:30PM on Saturday, January 12, 2008. The reunion will begin with
a group meditation at La Chapelle de la Madeleine, followed by a potluck dinner.
Everyone who attends will be updated on events in Laconneau.
The next Carolina weekend will be on February 9th and 10th in Greenville.
Included in this weekend will be a book review, movie, Women’s Circle and
plenty of time for meditation and reflection. It will be a time for sisters to get
together for community. Sisters from all circles are welcome to attend.
There will be two Level I classes held in North Carolina in January. A Level I
class will be offered at Artemis House in Greenville on Saturday, January 19th
from 10AM to 4PM. Another Level I class will be offered in the Triangle area on
Sunday, January 20th from 10AM to 4PM. We are excited about having our first
class in the Triangle area and have had a substantial response for this class.
Artemis House is available for personal retreats. Overnight accommodations at
Artemis House include breakfast and dinner. Women on retreat will have access
to La Chapelle de la Madeleine for meditation and prayer. They may also make
use of the Laconneau library, which includes books and films recommended on
the Laconneau website. For an additional fee, a sister who is a licensed massage
therapist will be available to come to Artemis House for massage. Please contact
Elaine for a price schedule.
Georgia News:
There were both an Introductory Course and a Level I Beginners Course offered
in Georgia in December. The Level I Course was a great success, with sixteen
people in attendance. The Introductory Course was also well attended. The
Georgia Laconneau circle continues to experience an increase in participants.
Those who participate are experiencing inner growth and are learning what it
takes to make positive change in ourselves and in the world. We continue to be
enriched as we grow and experience the unique assets others bring to our circle.
Please join us for pizza and a movie on January 18th. This is the night before our
yard sale and will give us an opportunity to spend time together and build
community. On Saturday, we will have our first yard sale of the year to raise
money for the Laconneau Scholarship Fund, which will provide financial
assistance to women who need help in order to attend classes. All donations and
volunteers are welcome.
Pennsylvania News:
We begin a new year with the excitement of a solid and growing group of women.
In addition to films, discussions, and classes, we plan to volunteer in Philadelphia
to help women who are in need.
Washington, DC News:
December saw the largest Women’s Circle to date in Washington, DC. Sixteen
women came together as members of the Philadelphia circle joined us to
celebrate the full moon on December 1.
The December Dinner and Debate engaged nine women in a lively discussion on
Yeshua as an historical and/or archetypal figure. The conclusion was that he
existed and the teachings he embodied are as relevant today as they were two
thousand years ago.
CONTACT LACONNEAU
Please contact your coordinator with questions or for updated regional information.
In France: Jehanne - jehanne@laconneau.org
In Georgia: Lorrie - georgia@laconneau.org
In the Carolinas: Elaine - Greenville@laconneau.org
In Pennsylvania: Anna - Philadelphia@laconneau.org
In Washington, DC: Lorely - dc@laconneau.org
Contact Information Online: http://www.laconneau.com/Contact.html
Please visit our website, www.laconneau.org, for the complete calendar,
further articles, the book of the month, Laconneau’s history and additional
information.
You are receiving this newsletter because you attended a Laconneau course or
seminar. If you would prefer not to receive emails from Laconneau, kindly email
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