KIA ORA WHANAU! WELCOME!

The nurturing and inspiring 'Aotearoa Summer Gathering' has passed for another year. Thanks to everyone who was able to get there, you made it the special event that it was! Now we're looking to the next initiatives that wants to emerge, and to invite you all to join us for...WINTER GATHERING 2011, to be held in Christchurch this June!

WINTER GATHERING 2011

CREATING AND EXPLORING COMMUNITY

THIS YEARS CONTENT - We would like to focus on 2 main aspects of this large and diverse topic. Firstly we will look at the practical work being done around the world on ideas and ideals around different models of community. We will be investigating how community can meet the issues of sustainability, food self reliance, spiritual foundation, childhood and education.
Secondly we will explore what can be practically achieved in our own back yards through networks, cultural events, alternative currency and many other tools to build healthy, forward thinking communities.

We would like to draw inspiration from local initiatives working practically on the ground around Christchurch. We are also going to look at story-telling and forms of compassionate communication, from founder Marshall B. Rosenberg, and ideas of healthy social life from Rudolf Steiner.

OUR VISION  The vision is to create a space where the inner flame can be ignited. A celebration as the outer world draws closer, colder and darker, to gather around the hearth and kindle the fire of the soul, polishing our inner lamps of inspiration and clarity. It is a coming together of like minded people in a quest for genuine conversation, and to explore ideas of social change. I feel that a gathering here in Christchurch in these times meets a real authentic need for warmth and community building.

Towards the end of the Gathering, there will also be a Winter Celebration, a light festival in the darkness to illuminate our way forward in the world. This will be held on-site, and will include making and walking with lanterns, songs, poetry, storytelling and wonderful hot food!

A MOVEMENT OF YOUNG CHANGE MAKERS    

SEEDS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

The movement for young change makers, within New Zealand and around the world, is very diverse and ever growing. Networks focus on  "what is", and "what needs to be": in relation to external issues like environmental changes, peek oil, economics systems, educational systems, politics etc, and possible solutions around sustainability, innovation, collaboration and possible new forms. There are numerous networks that we are involved with, initiatives, projects, forums and NGO's. Also individuals have their own inner focus, and questions around leadership, creativity, inner work and direction.

 Part of our work (as organizers) is connected to the YouthSection. This network is an international youth movement creating a platform where young people (18-35ish) can explore their inner and outer relationship to the world. The YouthSection organises conferences, seminars, study groups and research projects on world youth issues, as well as facilitating internships and the creation of local and world-wide networks and initiatives. It looks at inspiring material from all over, including the work of Rudolf Steiner, in this philosophy and practical work.

For more on the initiatives around this movement in NZ, please check out our summer site - summergathering.co.nz 

Join us on  facebook!

And for more of the work arising from the youth section around anthroposophy - anthroposophy.org.nz/node/89 and internationally at youthsection.org

'A healthy social life is found

When in the mirror of each human soul

The whole community finds its reflection

And when in the community

The strength of each individual is living'

Rudolf Steiner

DETAILS OF THE EVENT

Date - 9- 12th June 2011

Location  - Purau Bay, Banks Peninsula

The venue for this event is Parau Bay, Banks Peninsula. A 30 minute drive around the bays from Lyttelton or 20 mins by boat, with a pick up. It is on land with organic gardens, houses, caravans and a yurt. Used as a meeting place, it is a wonderful spot for our temporary intentional community.

Price - $85 - We are keeping this as cheep as we can, to make it possible for young people and students to attend. For those flying into Christchurch, there may be extra money available to cover part of these flights.

If you are wanting to contribute financially to help others, please email rosa.youthsection@gmail.com for details.

Food - The catering will be done by us as a group, and will be vegetarian. Organic, delicious, home-made food, created and eaten together. It will be sourced locally where possible, from Christchurch health-food shops and Canterbury farms.

This is a drug and alcohol free event.

Organizers - Every year, 'Gatherings' are organized by a group of motivated volunteers. Each year the search starts anew to listen in to what the most relevant themes and question are. This thread is then followed intuitively as individuals embark upon their work together, motivated by their passion to inspire, to awaken and to challenge others.

The small team of volunteers working in Christchurch to put on this 3 day Gathering is lead by Ana Pearson, supported by Rosa Henderson, Julia Guthery, Rachael Gillard-Tew, Lydia Littlejohns and Emily Clark.

From the summer Gathering: Kataljina, Lydia, Daniel, Ana, Oliver and Rohina

DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM BELOW!

registration form 2011.doc

Any questions or comments on this event, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Email Ana Pearson - pearson_ana@yahoo.com.au

And any questions about the network, the Youth Section or how to be involved, please email Rosa on - rosa.youthsection@gmail.com

Let Your Light Shine

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson