Event
Spiritual Retreat for Women's and Trans Health and Wellness
You are invited to a spiritual retreat in honor of women's and trans health and wellness, to benefit Chicago Women's Health Center. This retreat is a morning of soul-nurturing activities for self-care, in which participants honor and bless women's and trans bodies based on our lived experiences. Participants engage in these activities, or "rituals," to each person's individual comfort level. Rituals include creating a sacred space and preparing an altar as well as drumming and group meditation.
Date: Saturday, October 2nd.
Time: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location: 7000 North (Lunt Ave.) at the lakefront in Loyola Park.
Directions: If you are driving, take Sheridan then turn East towards the lake at either Lunt or Greenleaf. There is a large parking lot with paybox parking. If you are taking the L, take the CTA Redline to the Morse stop, then walk 0.3 miles to Lunt and Sheridan. Walk East towards the lake on Lunt.
Cost: Suggested amount of $50. Sliding Scale: $25 - $99. (Help us meet our goal of $800. With a total of $250 raised so far we are nearly 1/3 of the way there!)
All are welcome. For the purposes of this retreat, we define "spirituality" as the ability to experience awe, and not specific to any particular beliefs. We are informed by a vision of social justice in which all people, across differences of race, class, sexuality, and gender, have access to healing and empowering sacred space. There will be diverse multi-cultural representations of God, Goddess, and God/dess present at the event, which may be interpreted as symbolic or taken literally. The structure of the retreat, or the sequence of activities, follows the traditional format of earth-based religions.
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Cost includes a breakfast snack pre-ritual, a celebratory snack post-ritual, and a token to remember the event. 100% of the proceeds raised via the registration fee go to support Chicago Women's Health Center. Please note that if you are unable to attend for any reason, our registration fee is non-refundable. Thank you for supporting Chicago Women's Health Center.
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Organizer and Co-Facilitator
Kathryn (Berg) Berg is a young, queer, witchy woman who has been organizing ritual for over 8 years. Past themes include "Croning," "The Masculine God/dess," "The Dark Goddess," and "Menarchy: A Celebration of Menstruation." Her work is informed by the writing of psychoanalyst and cantadora Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of "Women who Run with the Wolves". Berg is currently obtaining dual Masters degrees in Social Work and Women's and Gender Studies from Loyola University. She has served on the board of CWHC since January 2009.
Co-Facilitator
Natalie (Grey) Hutchison is a Chicago-based African-American middle-aged transgender (masculine appearing) feminist lesbian who enjoys experiencing all that life has to offer. Natalie has lead numerous workshops, wrote and directed a video documentary titled The Nia Project: Images of African-American Lesbians, and most recently presented at the first Butch Voices Conference in Oakland, CA.
The Beneficiary
Chicago Women's Health Center, or CWHC, places an importance on providing respectful and empowering care to women and trans people. Services include gynecology, counseling, outreach & education, alternative insemination, childbirth education, fertility awareness, acupuncture, and massage. One of CWHC's greatest distinctions is the quality of care offered in combination with sliding scale services. The organization draws both clients who would not be able to afford care otherwise, as well as nearly 50% who choose CWHC simply because it is such a positive experience.
With the progressive nature of CWHC's work comes unique challenges: we have never accepted government funding. For this reason, support from community members go a long way towards providing exceptional healthcare.
Registration will be capped at 20 people. Folding chairs and blankets will be available for seating. In the case of rain, the retreat will take place at the same time and location on October 9th. If you own a drum, you are welcome to bring it for drumming during part of the retreat. If you require any special accommodations, please contact the organizer at your earliest convenient by e-mailing berg.kathrynk@gmail.com or calling (585) 703-1472. Following the retreat you are welcome to join us an optional brunch at the A&T Grill, located at 7036 N. Clark Street.
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LocationChicago's Lakefront
7000 North at Lunt Avenue, on the Lakefront
Chicago, IL 60626
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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Contact
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