We gathered at Pilgrim Park again this year, with an added day for extra fun!

May 30-June 2, 2024

Our keynote was Christine Saxman! Christine, founder of Saxman Consulting, is an author, facilitator, coach, educator, and consultant with twenty years of racial equity and social justice experience working with educational, corporate, not-for-profit, and government organizations. She co-authored Being White Today: A Roadmap for a Positive Antiracist Life and Western State Center’s toolkit Confronting Conspiracy Theories and Organized Bigotry at Home: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers. She also works on staff for the National SEED Project (Seeking Education Equity and Diversity) and collaborates with the Race Institute.  Prior to spending two years as an equity transformation specialist at Courageous Conversations About Race, Christine was an educator in Township District 113 in Illinois for fifteen years where she was also a racial equity leader. In 2016, she received recognition as an Illinois Golden Apple Finalist and Teacher of Distinction.

Christine kept us engaged with the information and understanding she brought to her keynote and workshops. We had lots of questions and stories for her.

We enjoyed workshops on: pendulums, creative doodling, UU women's groups, and self-publication. Kathy brought resin molds to make our own pendulums or pendants. Rituals included some Dances of Universal Peace and a bit of sing-along, with plenty of drumming. Friday night's bonfire was an encouraging mix of women's chants and talk. Late evenings saw euchre, puzzles and dominoes along with a relaxed atmosphere in the large gathering room. Once again, Pilgrim Park staff fed and cared for us very well. And the cicadas were there, but they kept a comfortable distance away up in the trees surrounding the camp.

Element: Spirit        Direction:  Above and Below

"Let Our Souls Sing"

Pilgrim Park, June 3-5

Pam Blevins-Hinkle was our keynote!

Our theme “Let Our Souls Sing” comes from our desire as sisters to come together and raise our voices in song. These past two years we’ve had to cope with social isolation and loneliness. Now we can meet face to face, spending time together on the deck of Pilgrim’s Park conference center. We took time to explore, relax, drum, sing and commune with nature and each other.

 Pam Blevins-Hinkle keynoted! It is hard to believe it has been 10 years since this amazing woman was our keynote - choral conductor, song-leader, arts administrator, flutist, improviser, and lover of sacred song. Pam also led a workshop in the afternoon.

Following our keynote’s workshop we offered a workshop on making a besom. Dana Lusk, who joined the The Connection’s Council this year taught us how to make this traditional style of broom. A besom can be used in cleansing ceremonies to sweep out the negative energy in the air rather than sweeping the floor. These brooms are also used in handfasting ceremonies where the couple will jump the broom as a symbol of entering a new stage of life and leaving behind the old. Besoms make great housewarming and wedding gifts, symbolizing starting fresh and new, leaving behind your old dirt. You’ll be making your besom from treasures you bring (ribbons, dried flowers, pentacle, crystals, or any other special items to decorate your besom). You can collect leaves, twigs, and other “found” materials from your walks at Pilgrim Park. Dana Lusk brought materials that you can use to build and decorate your besom.

Remember to bring drums (and musical instruments if you like), treasures to weave into your besom, and something to place on an altar.