Tree of Life
Reshapers is a partner in Tree of Life, a dispersed community of people interested in creating spaces for personal, spiritual and holistic growth. Currently operating on the Shotley Peninsular in Suffolk, we offer a regular programme of events including quiet days, walks, workshops and retreats. People of all faiths and none are welcome to come and explore, be refreshed and build community.
Coming up:
February 11th: Building Blocks for Happiness workshop with Bonnie Miller
An interactive session which is great fun, to help us to become more self aware and able to create our own happiness.
2-5pm at Chelmondiston village hall.
March 10th: Lifting Spirits Singing workshop with Tracy Sharp
Our friend Tracy returns to teach us songs from around the world - singing by ear - no musical experience needed - come even if you think you can't sing!
2-5pm at Chelmondiston village hall.
April 21st: Creation Walk a pilgrimage walk led by Marian Carter and Jane Chevous
A time to explore the natural beauty of the peninsular. A circular walk of no more than 3 miles with stories, commentary and time for reflection.
Walk from 10am to 12 noon, followed by picnic. Cost £10 including picnic, unwaged/concessions £6.
General information:
All our workshops cost £16 per day, £8.00 per half day, £10/£5 unwaged/concessions, including refreshments (unless otherwise stated.)
BOOK NOW: to use our easy on-line booking form, please click here [1].
Please use our contact page to request further information and booking forms, or download from below.
Recent events:
To find out about our recent events and what people say about them, please click here [2]
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Consent Form [3] | 81.6 KB |
| Still Waters workshop info & form [4] | 59.5 KB |
| Tree of Life event info & form [5] | 63.99 KB |
A new feature - because our events are so inspiring, and to give you a taster of more to come, we will add a summary of past events here, with comments from participants.
Saturday 5th February 2011 2.00-4.30pm: Singing towards Spring led by Tracy Sharp, at Chelmondiston Village Hall. We
welcomed inspired natural voice teacher Tracy back for a third year, to
sing us into spring with songs from around the world. A mixed ability group, we all enjoyed learning adn singing new songs, even managing three parts, which Tracy taught us all by ear. It was an
afternoon to lift the spirits and place a song in our hearts!
Spring celebration: on 15th May 2010 we celebrated Spring in Indian and European traditions. This was led by the artist Caroline McKenzie at Harkstead Village Hall and beach. We gathered to celebrate the colour and chaos of Spring with chanting, silence, a labyrinth walk, playing 'Holi', eating, lighting bonfires and storytelling with Sally Wilden.
Remembrance:
On November 14th we thought about Remembrance and Memories. We explored the idea of family or tribal memory - how can we trace back the collective memory of our family or culture? How does that shared memory shape our identity? What memories are important to us? What special memories do we want to pass on to future generations, to be remembered for? We decided to start a Tree of Life memory quilt: we designed the tree and each made a small patch to add to the quilt, with a memory message we wanted others to share. We'll add to it at future events and post some pictures so you can see our progress!
Diwali and All Souls:
On Saturday 31st October we explored the themes of light and darkness in a celebration influenced by the festivals of Diwali, All Souls and the Celtic festival of Samhain. Caroline Mackenzie, a local artist who lived in India for many years, led us in meditation, chanting and a journey into the labyrinth.
We shared a festival tea, and ended with mythical stories inspired by the sea voyage of Beowulf and the Christian theme of the Harrowing of Hell.
We explored the season as a time of dying and new beginnings, when nights draw in and our natural fear of darkness may grow. Through lighting candles, we experienced the Hindu tradition of externalising our fears through being in darkness together then reaching the light; seen not as a fight against darkness but recognising that the divine, however that is conceived, is to be found in the darkness. The labyrinth could represent many things; a heart, a womb or even a tomb.
Our stories took us on an epic journey in the cocoon of a sailing ship and the dark expanse of the ocean; we were reminded of Beowulf's heroic struggles with the monsters of the deep. Our second tale imagined the hours just after Jesus died, and explored hell as darkness and the light as restorative justice.
Participants feedback:
"Peaceful" "Looking for the light in everyone I see" "A feeling of relaxation" "A sense of peace" "Such a wonderful nurturing, interesting day" "A wonderful enriching experience"
Links:
[1] http://www.reshapers.org/event_form
[2] http://www.reshapers.org/retreats%20past%20events
[3] http://www.reshapers.org/sites/reshapers.org/files/files/consent form_09.pdf
[4] http://www.reshapers.org/sites/reshapers.org/files/files/Still waters workshop info & form_09_0.doc
[5] http://www.reshapers.org/sites/reshapers.org/files/TOL_Info_&_Bkg_09_0.pdf