Conclave

 “Abundance as a Communal Act” 

Summer’s truth is that “Abundance is a communal act, the joint creation of an incredibly complex ecology in which each part functions on behalf of the whole and, in return is sustained by the whole. Community doesn’t just create abundance—community is abundance, “ says renowned author and educator, Parker Palmer.  In both small and large group,  we will explore the ways to live with abundance amidst the creation of community and recognize this lesson from the natural world in the hopes that we might find ways to transform the human world in which we each exist and “give ourselves to the abiding and abundant grace of our common life.” 

In our time together, both individually and collectively , we will explore through the use of “third things” such as poetry, readings , journaling and other activities, the following themes:

• Seasonal Metaphors and the Lessons of Summer
• Abundance vs Scarcity Perspectives and Positions
• How to live in Abundance
• Community as Abundance

"The Gifts and Gains of Our Pandemic Experience" 

• Quiet, individual reflection period, followed by sharing in small breakouts, or whole group – depending upon the number of attendees 
• For what or for whom are you grateful?
• What insights - about life, yourself, your relationships, children, teaching, Montessori learning, or leadership - have you gained?
• How will your life, teaching, leading, classroom, or school community be different in the future? 
• What are your intentions or resolutions moving forward?
• Whole group reconvene to share common themes, inspirations, or perspirations 

Storytime - Montessori Moments
Sharing our stories is a wonderful way to connect and celebrate our love for children, Montessori and humanity. In this gathering, Kitty will tell a few of her own stories and invite any one from the group to share from their lived experience in Montessori. No story is too small and insignificant. There is something to appreciate in even those simple little everyday things. There is much to be gained by sharing our successes or mistakes along the way, or sharing a heartwarming moment that happened with or between children. Connecting through our Montessori moments we will expand our perspectives, grow and be renewed as we walk together down memory lane. 

Writing from Within 

Writing from within, an expressive writing workshop offers delightful and deep ways to renew ourselves, nourish ourselves, relax, and heal ourselves. Listening deeply to each other and being heard by each other are perhaps the greatest kindness we can give.

We will use poems and guided imagery as our inspirations. Poems and exercises may be used with students at all levels to engage them in authentic self-expression and developing respectful listening skills.  

Inspiring lines from a poem I love by Naomi Shihab Nye:

“….Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,

only kindness that ties your shoes

and sends you out into the day to gaze at bread,

only kindness that raises its head

from the crowd of the world to say

It is I you have been looking for,

and then goes with you everywhere

like a shadow or a friend.”