Woolman Hill Retreat Center, Deerfield, MA

Each autumn we gather to journey around the Spiral of the Work That Reconnects. All are welcome.

This year we will explore the theme of truth telling in our time. Starting from the radical truth that we are all interconnected, we will explore – through ritual, interactive exercises, personal reflection and more – some of these themes:

How do we find the words, and the courage, to speak our truth? How do we listen to the truths of others that may be quite different from our own? How do we create community spaces that support all people telling their truths?

This is a time when truth is twisted. Scientists are silenced. Leaders lie openly. It is a time when divisions between people are widening. How do we cope with the atmosphere of dishonesty and divisiveness?

It is also a time of great openings of the heart and the raising of voices that have long been unheard. Courage and beauty have emerged from unexpected places. Women have spoken out together about sexual abuse. Native tribes have united to protect water. High school students are raising their voices against gun violence. Black Lives Matter activists have exposed truths about police brutality.

The legacy of great truth tellers who have gone before offer us inspiration and information.

See the Gathering Flyer to learn more.

Location: We meet in the beauty of October at Woolman Hill in rural western Massachusetts. Meals and group activity times take place in a lovely old farmhouse.

Timing: We begin with dinner on Friday and finish up with lunch and cleanup on Sunday.

Accommodations: Options include farmhouse bunkrooms, sleeping lofts (mattresses on the floor), wood-heated cabins and camping. Every effort will be made to accommodate housing preferences but cannot be guaranteed. The farmhouse is handicapped accessible.

Meals: Meals are vegetarian with some vegan options

Cost:

     Indoor accommodation: $235

     Commuters and campers: $200

A $50 nonrefundable deposit will hold your space.

Scholarship contributions:

If you are able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Interhelp, Inc. for our scholarship fund. This fund directly assists those who need financial support to attend this year’s Gathering.*

To request a scholarship:

Please let us know how much you need in addition to a $50 required minimum fee. If a scholarship is not available for you to attend, your $50 deposit will be refunded. Please include, with your registration, a description of your interest in the Work That Reconnects and why you wish to come to Gathering.

Register Online here. Printable registration form available here.

Payment Options:

     by check made out to Interhelp, Inc. Send to Kristina Orchard, 10A Powdermill Circle, Maynard, MA 01754.

     by Paypal: see Online Registration page.

Questions? Contact Kristina Orchard (978) 266-2912 or email.

*Here’s one way to decide how much to donate: $5 per $1,000 of per person household income over $30,000. (Example: If your per-person income is $40,000—$10 thousand above $30,000—you are asked to contribute 10 times $5, or $50.)