Welcome to the May 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
• Regional Events & News
• Contact Laconneau
MAY BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Gnostic Bible
By Willis Barnstone and Marvin Meyer
A landmark work of scholarship and literary translation, The Gnostic Bible
presents the most significant and beautiful sacred texts of gnostic mysticism. The
gnostics were religious thinkers who believed that salvation is found through
mystical knowledge and personal religious experience. Gnostic writings offer
striking perspectives on both early Christian and non-Christian thought. For
example, some gnostic texts suggest that God should be celebrated as both
Mother and Father and that self-knowledge is the route to union with the Divine.
Dating from the first to the thirteenth centuries, the selections in this volume
represent Jewish, Christian, Hermetic, Mandaean, Manichaean, Islamic, and
Cathar forms of gnostic spirituality, and their sources include Egypt, the Greco-
Roman world, the Middle East, Syria, Iraq, China, and France. These texts show
that gnosticism was a world religion that sought truths in a wide variety of
traditions and expressed those truths in powerful and provocative mystical poetry
and prose. The impact of gnosticism upon other religions of the world was
considerable, and the influence of gnosticism continues to the present day.
~from the Publisher
L
ACONNEAU AUTUMN FESTIVAL
Laconneau Autumn Festival
Friday, October 31 - Sunday, November 2, 2008
Artemis House, Greenville, NC
The Autumn Festival marks the beginning of a season of silence. At the Spring
Festival, we learn through relationship; at the Autumn Festival, we learn through
separating and allowing to die that which is no longer useful or relevant in our
lives. By doing so, we align ourselves with the endless cycle of death and rebirth.
For the Tradition of Laconneau, the Autumn Festival is a rich and deeply
meaningful time. Through this festival, we remember the One we serve as well as
our sisters throughout the ages whose courage and self-sacrifice have allowed us
to participate in this rich inheritance. We remember them not in sorrow but in
joy, for this is the time of the inward journey, the giving up of the old life in the
sure knowledge of rebirth. It is a time when we remember with hope the ancient
prophecy that forms the heart and hope of our Tradition: “Al cap dels sept cent
ans reverdajara lo laurel.”
This year, we will continue to hold the Autumn Festival in the old way and in full
accord with the principles of our Tradition. Come join us in Greenville, North
Carolina for this wonderful weekend of comradeship, workshops, feminine
spirituality and festivities. Lend your voice to the power and love of 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 October 17. The remaining balance for this event is
due at the festival. In addition to the fee for 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 Autumn Festival:
http://www.laconneau.org/festivalautumn.html
GEORGIA: May Events
Monday, May 5, 2008
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Decatur, GA
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Meditation 6:30PM
Decatur, GA
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Meditation 12:30PM
Gainesville, GA
Monday, May 19, 2008
Women’s Circle 9:30PM
Gainesville, GA
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
NORTH CAROLINA: May Events
GREENVILLE
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Meditation 12:00PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
Monday, May 19, 2008
Women’s Circle
9:30PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Meditation 12:00PM
Film Screening
Cathares: Secrets & Legendes
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
TRIANGLE AREA
Monday, May 5, 2008
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Chapel Hill, NC
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
ASHEVILLE
Monday, May 19, 2008
Women's Circle 9:30PM
Asheville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course
Greenville Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarGreenvilleNC.html
G
reenville Region Coordinator: Elaine - Greenville@laconneau.org
PENNSYLVANIA: May Events
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM
Philadelphia, PA
Monday, May 5, 2008
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Dinner and Discussion 7:30PM
Philadelphia, PA
Monday, May 19, 2008
Women’s Circle 9:30PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Film Screening 7:30PM
Every Mother’s Son
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarPhiladelphiaPA.html
Philadelphia Region Coordinator: Anna - philadelphia@laconneau.org
WASHINGTON, DC: May Events
Monday, May 5, 2008
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Level I Beginner's Course 10:00AM
Washington, DC
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Women's Circle 9:00PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
May 18, 2008
Dinner and Debate 6:00PM
"What’s the Good of Meditation?"
Washington, DC
Monday, May 19, 2008
Women’s Circle 9:30PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level 1 Course
May 31, 2008
Spring Yard Sale 8:00AM-3:00PM
Bethesda, MD
DC Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarWashingtonDC.html
DC Region Coordinator: Lorely - dc@laconneau.org
REGIONAL NEWS
Laconneau Spring Festival
The Laconneau Spring Festival was held at Artemis House in Greenville, North
Carolina last weekend. The festival was well attended. Those who came had the
privilege of spending time in La Chapelle de la Madeleine. They also heard the
teaching of the Tradition. The Spring Festival was an opportunity for sisters in
Laconneau to spend time together. The Greenville Circle provided wonderful
hospitality for their out of town guests. Those who attended Spring Festival found
it to be a powerful and memorable experience. The next scheduled festival is the
Autumn Festival, which will take place from October 31 to November 2, 2008.
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 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
The recent pilgrimage to southern France was an unforgettable experience for the
women who participated. The participants walked in the footsteps of the
Magdalene from Stes. Marie de la Mer to Massif Ste. Baume and Alet les Bains.
They were also immersed in Pays Cathars – Cathar Country - and saw where the
Cathars lived, worked and died rather than deny their faith and belief. During
the trip, there were times of teaching, times of physical exercise and times of
meditation. The women who came on the trip left France with a greater
understanding of the Magdalene, the Cathars, Laconneau and themselves.
Laconneau is planning to offer a limited opportunity for a small group of
Tradition members to complete Le Sentier des Cathares in the Languedoc in the
Autumn of 2008. More details will be available in upcoming newsletters.
News from the Carolinas
The Carolinas held their first women's circles in March and April in Asheville and
Chapel Hill. The Asheville Circle held their first circle on March 7. The Triangle
Circle held their first circle on April 5. It is wonderful to have these two additional
circles in the Carolinas. The addition of two new circles gives a number of
women the opportunity to have Laconneau circles closer to their homes. Please
refer to the calendar for times, dates and locations for these new circles.
The Greenville Circle hosted the Laconneau Spring Festival at Artemis House.
See the article above for details.
Artemis House in Greenville, NC 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 further information: Greenville@laconneau.org
Georgia News
Spring is here and everything is reborn. Just as in nature, also in our Laconneau
circle. Two of our members have just returned from the Spring Pilgrimage to
Southern France. It was a wonderful opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the
Magdalene and experience the history and mystery of her teachings. They also
traveled through the Languedoc and saw where the Cathars held their last heroic
stands. Like those new buds of spring that reawaken each year, they, too, brought
back a new perspective, a new appreciation and a greater understanding of
Laconneau and the women who are a part of this wonderful tradition.
Pennsylvania News:
Two members of the Philadelphia Circle participated in the recent pilgrimage to
France. Using the lessons and experiences gained on their trip to France, they
have a clearer understanding of how to continue to build their community on a
strong foundation. Through regular group meditations, dinners, women’s circles,
films, and classes, they continue to work to create space in which a woman finds
the comradeship that serves to empower her to continue to build her own inner
strength.
Washington, DC News
Three women from Washington went on the spring pilgrimage to Southern
France. Here is what they have to say:
“What a privilege it was to be in France in the spring, in the lands that nurtured
our Tradition, with Jehanne and with sisters from four circles, following in the
footsteps of Miryam and of the parfaits and parfaites. Jehanne opened my eyes
for seeing old stones in new ways, seeing the past layered on the landscape. And I
loved seeing how high we could go, up those hills, just by putting one foot in front
of the other.” Marge DuMond
“inward bound
inside out
see what is before you
NOW
Miracles”
Janet Cam
" Whatever I could relate about the teachings, comradeship, challenges,
learning and love I experienced in the beauty and majesty of the French
countryside with Jehanne would be inadequate. Just go, damn it, go!"
Lorely Crewe-Halici
CONTACT LACONNEAU
Please contact your coordinator with questions or 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.
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