Welcome to the January 2009 edition of the Laconneau
Monthly Newsletter.

IN THIS ISSUE
• Films of the Month
• Upcoming Retreat
• Upcoming Festival
• Regional News
• Regional Calendars
• Contact Laconneau

FILMS OF THE MONTH

Blessed is the Match

Narrated by three-time Academy Award nominee Joan Allen, Blessed Is the Match is the first documentary feature about Hannah Senesh, the World War II-era poet and diarist who became a paratrooper, resistance fighter and modern-day Joan of Arc. Safe in Palestine in 1944, Hannah joined a mission to rescue Hungary’s Jews. Shockingly, it was the only outside rescue mission for Jews
during the Holocaust. Hannah parachuted behind enemy lines, was captured, tortured and ultimately executed by the Nazis. Incredibly, her mother Catherine witnessed the entire ordeal – first as a prisoner with Hannah and later as her advocate, braving the bombed-out streets of Budapest in a desperate attempt to save her daughter.

The Spirit of Sacajawea

Narrated by Tantoo Cardinal. Original music score by Mary Youngblood & Jim Brock. One of the most revered women in American history, Sacajawea has been romanticized and often misinterpreted by non-natives. Revolving around interviews with her tribal peoples as well as recognized historians, this
documentary examines the many controversies regarding her life, how her role in the Lewis & Clark journey impacted her tribes, and how they are surviving today.

UPCOMING RETREAT






The Laconneau
 Sentier de Vermont

March 15-March 21,2009

The Fox Creek Inn
49 Dam Road
Chittenden, Vermont 05737

This spring we are introducing a new retreat to the Laconneau calendar. The Sentier de Vermont
(Vermont means Green Mountain in French) is the first time Laconneau has held a full residential retreat in North America, and in particular, in Vermont. Our retreat will be held at the beautiful Fox Creek Inn at Chittenden in the heart of the Green Mountains from Sunday March 15 to Saturday March 21. The Inn will be closed to all other guests during the period of our stay.

The retreat will focus on meditation, spiritual teaching, and Laconneau’s own traditional form of exercise, voie d’épée that resembles a cross between Yoga and tai chi, along with light hiking in the beautiful surrounding mountains. For those of you unfamiliar with voie d’épée there will be instruction in this form of exercise.

Each day will start with a group meditation followed by breakfast. The group will then meet for teaching until midday. Afternoons will be spent either hiking or visiting some of the interesting local sites. The group will meet again for an evening meditation before dinner. After dinner for those interested there will be group discussions, and traditional music should the mood take us.

Retreat Fee: $1790.00


Accommodation: will be two people sharing. (Single occupancy is available for a small supplement on a first come basis) All rooms are fitted with private bathroom and shower.

Meals: Dinner and breakfast are included in the fee. All food will be in keeping with Tradition dietary rules.

For information or to make a reservation:
Please contact Alex at (770) 235-5447 or Alex@Laconneau.org. As space is limited to ten people a
deposit of $500.00 is required at time of booking. All reservations will be on a first come basis.


LACONNEAU SPRING FESTIVAL

 

Laconneau Spring Festival
Friday, May 1 - Sunday, May 3, 2009
Artemis House, Greenville, NC

Spring Festival marks the beginning of summer.  As with the Autumn 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. Please also budget for $20.00 per day to cover lunches and other expenses. Housing is available in the homes of the Greenville sisters and in hotels in the area. Please contact Elaine at carolinas@laconneau.org for more details.

For more Information on the Spring Festival:http://www.laconneau.org/festivalspring.html


REGIONAL NEWS



Laconneau Scholarship Fund
The Laconneau 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 Alex Guyol and send it to P.O. Box 261 Kingston, NJ 08528.  If you have questions, please email Alex at alex@laconneau.org.


News from the Carolinas:
Laconneau of the Carolinas hosted a dinner and discussion for young women in Greenville on December 5, 2008.  The young women’s group continues to grow.  They are currently discussing Give me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries, by Naomi Wolf.  They will meet again on January 2, 2009 at 6:30PM.  The topic for discussion will be Getting Involved in Your Local
Community.   

Throughout 2008, it has become increasingly apparent that many people have been negatively affected by the changes in the economy.  As a result, people are in need of increasing amounts of emotional and financial support. In the upcoming year, the Carolinas circles will be focusing on ways to help serve the needs of our local communities


Georgia News:
The Georgia Circle hosted a combination Magdalene Seminar and Level I class in December. Women from Georgia and the surrounding states attended the course.

Meditations will be held on an ongoing basis in Decatur, Marietta and Gainesville. Women’s Circles will be held in Gainesville. 

The Georgia Circle looks forward to the opportunity to serve our community in the New Year.  We welcome women to join us as we work together to heal our communities, our country and our world.


Pennsylvania News:
The format of the classes held in Pennsylvania has changed. A Level II class will begin on Tuesday, January 13. The class will run weekly until Tuesday, February 17. We welcome this change with the New Year as we continue to build a strong foundation for our community of women.


Washington, DC News:
The Washington, D.C. circle celebrated the first day of the New Year with a meditation followed by a hike along one of the trails in Rock Creek Park.

On Saturday January 10th and Sunday January 11th, the circle will host a Level II Intermediate Course.  The course is open to anyone who has attended a Level I Beginner’s Course.

On January 18, in preparation for the Presidential Inauguration, the Washington, DC Circle will hold meditation, followed by afternoon tea and a discussion on the theme: You can’t be spiritual without being political.


GEORGIA: January Events



Monday January 5, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA

Wednesday January 7, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
North Decatur, GA

Monday January 12, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Gainesville, GA,
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Monday January 12, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA

Sunday January 18, 2009
Meditation 12:30PM
Gainesville, GA

Sunday January 18, 2009
Meditation 5:30PM
East Decatur, GA
 
Monday January 19, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA

Monday January 26, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Gainesville, GA
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Atlanta Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarAtlantaGA.html

Atlanta Region Coordinator: Lorrie  - georgia@laconneau.org


NORTH CAROLINA: January Events



Sunday, January 4, 2009
Reading & Discussion 10:30AM
Meditation 12:00 Noon
Artemis House
Greenville, NC

Friday, January 9, 2009
Young Women’s Dinner & Discussion 6:30PM
Greenville, NC

Sunday, January 11, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Friday, January 23, 2009
Magdalene Seminar 7:30PM
Greenville, NC

Saturday, January 24, 2009
Magdalene Seminar (Continued) 10:00AM
Greenville, NC

Saturday, January 24, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:00PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Sunday, January 25, 2009
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC

North Carolina Calendar Online:
http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarGreenvilleNC.html

Carolinas Region Coordinator: Elaine – carolinas@laconneau.org


PENNSYLVANIA: January Events



Monday, January 5, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Philadelphia, PA

Sunday, January 11, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Level II Intermediate Course 7:00PM
Philadelphia, PA

Sunday, January 18, 2009
Film Screening 7:30PM
Film: Iron Jawed Angels
Philadelphia, PA

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Level II Intermediate Course (Continued) 7:00PM
Philadelphia, PA

Monday, January 26, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Thursday, January 29, 2009
Level II Intermediate Course (Continued) 7:30PM
Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarPhiladelphiaPA.html

Philadelphia Region Coordinator: Anna - Pennsylvania@laconneau.org


SOUTH CAROLINA: January Events



Saturday, January 10, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Brevard, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Monday, January 26, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Brevard, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

South Carolina Calendar Online:
http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarSC.html

Carolinas Region Coordinator: Elaine – carolinas@laconneau.org


WASHINGTON, DC: January Events



Thursday, January 1, 2009
Meditation & Hike 10:00AM
Washington, DC

Saturday, January 10, 2009
Level II Intermediate Course 10:00AM
Washington, DC

Saturday, January 10, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:00PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Sunday, January 11, 2009
Level II Intermediate Course (Continued) 10:00AM
Washington, DC

Sunday, January 18, 2009
Meditation & Afternoon Tea 3:30PM
Topic: You can’t be spiritual without being political.
Washington, DC

Sunday, January 25, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

DC Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarWashingtonDC.html

DC Region Coordinator: Lorely - dc@laconneau.org


CONTACT LACONNEAU

Please contact your coordinator with questions or updated regional information.

In France:  Jehanne jehanne@laconneau.org

In California:Alex alex@laconneau.org

In the Carolinas: Elaine carolinas@laconneau.org

In Georgia: Lorrie georgia@laconneau.org

In Pennsylvania: Anna Pennsylvania@laconneau.org

In Washington, DC: Lorely dc@laconneau.org

Contact Information Online: http://www.laconneau.com/Contact.html

Laconneau Newsletter Archive:
http://www.laconneau.com/NewsletterArchive.html


Please visit our website, www.laconneau.org, for the complete calendar,
further articles, Laconneau’s history and additional information.

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