Welcome to the October 2009 Edition
of the Laconneau Monthly Newsletter.

IN THIS ISSUE
• Book of the Month
• Political Action Forum
• Laconneau Autumn Festival
• Sentier de Vermont
• Regional News
• Regional Calendars
• Contact Laconneau

BOOK OF THE MONTH

      

Half the Sky:
Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide 
by Nicholas D. Kristoff & Sheryl WuDunn

Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn have written an inspirational book that
describes in detail the brutal treatment of women across the globe, as well as the
power and resilience of women who undergo such abuse, yet work to transform
their lives in spite of it. The authors provide compelling evidence that nations
would experience economic advantages by supporting the empowerment of
women. In the words of the authors, the question is “...whether each of us will be
part of that historical movement, or a bystander.” This book provides a clarion
call for reform and a blueprint for how to achieve it.
 ~By Alex Guyol


POLITICAL ACTION FORUM

Due to editing delays, the Laconneau Political Action Forum is not publishing an
article in this month’s newsletter.  Jamie Scarbrough’s article, Brave Women in a
War-Torn World:  RAWA and Afghanistan, will be published in the November
Newsletter.  Thank you, Jamie, for writing an article on this important topic.


LACONNEAU AUTUMN FESTIVAL



Laconneau Autumn Festival
Friday October 30, - Sunday November 1, 2009
Artemis House - Greenville, NC

In 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 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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!
Please note that the schedule for the Autumn Festival has changed.  The festival
will open with ritual on Friday evening, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.  A potluck
supper is planned at Jan Salstrom’s house Saturday evening.

The fee for the festival is $275.00. Housing is available in the homes of the
Greenville sisters and in hotels in the area. If you plan to stay in a hotel, please
make your reservations quickly, as space in area hotels will be at a premium the
weekend of the festival due to Halloween. To reserve your place for Autumn
Festival, please send a check for $275 made out to Jehanne de Quillan to Jan
Salstrom, 2508 Madison Court, Greenville, NC  27858.  Please contact Elaine at
carolinas@laconneau.org for more details.

For more Information on the Autumn Festival:
http://www.laconneau.org/fallfestival1.html


SENTIER DE VERMONT




The Laconneau
 Sentier de Vermont

February 21 – February 27, 2010

This February, we will once again offer The Sentier
de Vermont, a full residential retreat at the beautiful
Fox Creek Inn at Chittenden in the heart of Vermont’s
Green Mountains from Sunday, February 21 to Saturday,
February 27. The Inn will be closed to all other guests
during the period of our stay.



The retreat will focus on meditation and spiritual
teaching, along with light hiking in the beautiful
surrounding mountains.

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.

For those of you unfamiliar with it, there will also be
instruction in voie d’épée Laconneau’s own traditional
form of exercise.
 
Retreat Fee: $1990.00


Accommodation: will be two people sharing. (Limited
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 twelve
people, a deposit of $500.00 is required at time of
booking. All reservations will be on a first come basis.


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.

France News
The Sentier de la Magdalene is scheduled for Saturday, March 20 to Saturday
March 27, 2010.  Details of the trip will be available on the Laconneau website
and in upcoming newsletters.

News from the Carolinas:
A Level I Course will be presented in Greenville beginning Tuesday, October 27 at
7:00PM and continuing Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00PM.  The course will be
taught at Artemis House.

On Thursday, October 8, meditation and a potluck dinner will be followed by a
showing of the film, Sophie Scholl: The Final Days.

All women are invited to attend the book reviews, film screenings, meditations,
and mother-daughter groups. Through these efforts we continue to build a
community of strong women dedicated to changing ourselves and the
communities in which we live.

Georgia News:
The Gainesville meditation group will host Dinner and a Movie on Tuesday
evening, October 20th at 6:00PM. The movie will be the director’s cut of The
Da Vinci Code, which is thirty minutes longer than the film released to the movie
theaters. A discussion of censorship and its effect on the movie will follow.

Meditations are held on an ongoing basis in Decatur, Marietta and Gainesville.
Women’s Circles are also regularly held in Gainesville. Please check the Georgia
calendar for specific times and dates.

The Georgia Circle continues to welcome all women who desire to work together
to heal our communities, our country and our world.

Please contact Lynn at Georgia@laconneau.org for additional information
regarding courses, Women’s Circles and Georgia Laconneau events/activities or
call Lynn @ 770-654-3734.

Pennsylvania News:
Two women from the Philadelphia circle will be traveling to France to take part in
the Sentier de la Magdalene. We are excited about this wonderful opportunity to
grow and learn with our sisters.

The Philadelphia circle welcomes all women to our classes, meditations, and film
screenings as we continue to build a strong foundation for this community of
women. Nothing will change unless women change the way we see ourselves. A
strong foundation within our community can help form the basis of that change
within each woman, if she so chooses.
 
Washington, DC News:
In late August, those sisters who are part of the Laconneau prayer study group
(who have taken the Level II Course) spent a wonderful weekend at the home of
Karen Reilly in Knoxville, Maryland. The weekend was filled with music,
meditation, discussion, good food and a host of different activities, including
archery, hiking along the Appalachian Trail and biking along the C&O canal. The
weather was beautiful, and it was an enjoyable way to spend one of the last
summer weekends.

The film Sacagawea was postponed until October 9, 2009 because of an
exceptional opportunity. On September 11, the Washington Circle hosted a
dinner and discussion with author and journalist Allison Silberberg. Her book --
Visionaries in Our Midst: Ordinary People Who Are Changing Our World -- was
published on September 16. In response to the events of 9/11, Allison has written
an inspiring collection of essays about people who work to build a better life for
others by standing up for one another. Helen Thomas wrote: “Visionaries In Our
Midst by Allison Silberberg is a great book about wonderful people who gave
their heart and soul for others. It will inspire many others to do the same if they
care. And who doesn’t?”


FRANCE: Upcoming Events



Friday, September 25 to Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sentier de la Magdalene
Southern France


GEORGIA: October Events



Sunday October 4, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Gainesville, GA,
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Wednesday October 7, 2009
Meditation, Dinner & Discussion 6:30PM
North Decatur, GA

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

Sunday October 18, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:00PM
Gainesville, GA,
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Monday October 19, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA

Tuesday October 20, 2009
Meditation, Dinner, & Movie 6:00PM
The Da Vinci Code (Director’s Cut)
Gainesville, GA

Monday October 26, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Marietta, GA

Friday October 30 - Sunday November 1, 2009
Laconneau Autumn Festival
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

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

Georgia Region Coordinator: Lynn  - georgia@laconneau.org


NORTH CAROLINA: October Events



GREENVILLE, NC

Friday, October 3, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Mother & Daughter Film Screening 6:00PM
Akeelah and the Bee
Artemis House
Greenville, NC

Thursday, October 8, 2009
Meditation, Dinner & Film Screening 6:30PM
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Artemis House
Greenville, NC

Saturday, October, 17, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Level I Beginner’s Course 7:00PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Level I Beginner’s Course (Continued) 7:00PM
Artemis House
Greenville, NC

Friday October 30 - Sunday November 1, 2009
Laconneau Autumn Festival
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course


ASHEVILLE, NC

Saturday October 3, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Brevard, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Saturday October 17, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Brevard, NC
For students who have completed Level I Course

Friday October 30 - Sunday November 1, 2009
Laconneau Autumn Festival
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course


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

Carolinas Region Coordinator: Elaine – carolinas@laconneau.org


PENNSYLVANIA: October Events



Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Meditation 6:30PM
Philadelphia, PA

Monday, October 19, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Philadelphia, PA
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Friday October 30 - Sunday November 1, 2009
Laconneau Autumn Festival
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

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

Philadelphia Region Coordinator: Anna - Pennsylvania@laconneau.org


SOUTH CAROLINA: October Events



Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Simpsonville, SC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Sunday, October 18, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Simpsonville, SC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Friday October 30 - Sunday November 1, 2009
Laconneau Autumn Festival
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

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

Carolinas Region Coordinator: Elaine – carolinas@laconneau.org


WASHINGTON, DC: October Events



Sunday, October 4, 2009
Women’s Circle 8:00PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Friday, October 9, 2009
Film Screening & Dinner 6:30PM
The Spirit of Sacagawea
Washington, DC

Sunday, October 11, 2009
Meditation & Tea 3:30PM
Falls Church, VA

Sunday, October 18, 2009
Women’s Circle 7:30PM
Washington, DC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

Friday October 30 - Sunday November 1, 2009
Laconneau Autumn Festival
Artemis House
Greenville, NC
For students who have completed the Level I Course

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

Washington,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: Lynn - 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, http://www.laconneau.org, for the complete calendar,
further articles, 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, please email
Alex at alex@laconneau.org to be removed from our mailing list.