Circulating

An experience

A place

A symbol

A sign

Honouring women’s experiences

Nurturing wisdom in all people

Working for justice in our world

Sophia 225 Cross Rd Cumberland Park South Australia 5041

Office: 10.00am - 4.00pm Tuesday - Friday

Phone: (08) 8373 3781 Email: info@sopia.org.au Website: www.sophia.org.au Facebook: SophiaIncAdelaide Twitter: sophiaadelaide

Coordinating Team: Sophia Vogt Wendy Jollands

Circulating Newsletter: Editors: Coordinating Team Layout: Marian Gray Email: newsletter@sophia.org.au

March 2018

“As the breath of lightawakens colour,May the dawn

anoint your eyes with wonder”

John O’Donohue

Message from theCoordinating Team

Dear Friends,Welcome to another year at Sophia! It seems like such a long tme since the last time Sophia Cir-culating was published. The year began with a beautiful ritual facilitated by Maureen O’Connell. It was lovely to see a good number of our So-phia community attending. There is always such joy and frivolity as we also spend time catching up with friends and eating delicious food! It never ceases to amaze what a magnificent feast we al-ways end up with.

Regular events and courses are underway with similar reconnection of participants, and stimulat-ing and interesting content.

As we enter autumn we see many changes in the Sophia gardens and wider afield. Catherine and Jenny continue to nurture and develop our surrounds, adding little touches here and there, planting and pruning, sweeping figs and leaves, cleaning out gutters and taking care of the water-ing. We are indeed most appreciative of this!

Some of us again attended the International Wom-en’s Day Breakfast. The keynote guest speaker was Tanya Hosch, the AFL’s General Manager of Inclusion & Social Policy, who has a long and distinguished history in Indigenous policy, ad-vocacy, governance & fundraising. Prior, Tanya was the first ever Indigenous person and second woman in the AFL executive ranks, and was the Joint Campaign Director of the Recognise move-ment for constitutional reform. At the AFL Tanya is tasked with the implementation of the AFL’s enhanced Indigenous strategy, advising the AFL Indigenous Advisory Council, reviewing the Re-spect & Responsibility Policy & implementing the

AFL’s Gender Action Plan.

Tanya, Senator Penny Wong and others all spoke with pas-sion and deep conviction. It was truly inspiring to be

amongst the 2700, the largest gathering in Aus-tralia! Wonderful too to see SA secondary school girls and boys attending; our hope for the future.

Finally, but by no means least, a major project has been embarked upon at Sophia. We are going to publish a book that will document our history since the very inception of the idea of creating this unique building, space and community! We plan to launch our Sophia history publication on So-phia’s 30th birthday in April 2021. This will be the central feature of our 30th birthday celebrations where Sophia’s story will also be told through dance, music, visual art and a display of excerpts from the Sophia Archive.

There will be an open workshop on Sunday 22 April, 2-4pm with more information regarding this project, which will over time gather stories in many formats from the Sophia community past & present. Come and be part of this exciting and creative endeavour! (See also the Library page).Best Wishes,Sophia Vogt & Wendy JollandsCoordinating Team

NOTICESESL Volunteers: ESL needs more volunteers. Please contact Sophia if interested. Wanted: Any person willing to do some one-off jobs in the Sophia gardens that requires chain sawing, hedge pruning etc, please contact us. An occasional ‘odd job’ may also be needed.Labyrinth: The first labyrinth-making workshop will be held soon. Watch for emails!Subscriptions: Annual subscriptions for 2108 were due in February so please see to this if you haven’t already done so for this year. Many thanks!Unit for Rent: For an aged pensioner, small one bedroom unit in Fulham Gardens with low rent. Contact Fiona or Sophia at Sophia, 8373 3781

Coming Events & Courses

NOTE: All courses and events MUST be booked. (They may not run if there are too few enrolments OR they may cause

problems for the Facilitator in processing extra people on the day.)Please phone 8373 3781, or email to info@sophia.org.au.

Payment must be made no less than one week before to securebooking (except for regular events).

COST CODES: F=Full Free, C=Concession fee, MF=Members Full,MC=Members Concession If cost is an issue please talk with a Coordinator.

M A R C H - no Calendar Events this month.

A P R I LIsolated in the BushJenny WightmanShort stories by Henry Lawson - “The Bush Undertaker” & his contem-porary, Barbara Baynton’s “Squeaker’s Mate”. Copies of both available in the Sophia office. Fascinatingly different accounts of bush privation.Saturday 7/4 2.00pm-4.30pmCost: F$25 C$20 MF$22.50 MC$18 Women

Making an Advance Care DirectiveFiona Johnston & Margaret BrownThe aim of the 3 sessions is for you to complete an Advance Care Directive which makes clear your wishes for your health care when you can no longer make such decisions for yourself.Monday 9/4, 21/5, 27/8 2.00pm-4.00pmCost: F$5 C$3 Women & men

Ageing Playfully & (Dis)-GracefullyTrish FairleyAgeing for women can be surprisingly liberating as we break free of society’s expectations and pressures. Through the tools of InterPlay, us-ing movement, voice, storytelling and stillness, explore how you can be lighter, more outrageous and more deeply contented as you gracefully age. Expect to laugh lots.Thursday 12/4 10.00am-3.00pm (Bring lunch to share.)Cost: F$60 C$50 MF$54 MC$45 Women

Dru Yoga Retreat Day Donna MeyerEnjoy a nurturing day with gentle movement, long relaxation, easy med-itation, revitalising body therapy. & breath work. No yoga experience needed. Bring mat, blanket &water. BYO lunch.Saturday 14/4 10.00am-3.30pmCost: F$60 C$50 MF$54 MC$45 Women

Conscious Ageing Penny Cahalan & Rosanne De BatsThe third phase of life is a great opportunity for spiritual, emotional & psychological growth. It’s a time to celebrate a life journey and to harvest our wisdom. This 8 week program was developed specifically for those ready to explore and share their experiences. Workbook will cost $15 extra.Thursday 19/4, 26/4, 3/5, 10/5, 17/5, 24/5, 31/5, 7/6 2.00pm-4pmCost: F$60, C$50 MF$54 MC$45 Women & men

Brazil & Australia Community Event Lyn PorterWelcome Renata Ramos from Brazil - Master Circle Dance Teacher & Choreographer. Open invitation to meet Renata & learn more about Brazil, its people & culture. Bring afternoon tea to share.Friday 27/4 3.00pm-7.00pmCost $5 (individual), $10 (family) Women & men

M AYTura Lura - Sit with Women (2) Ruby WorthySeasonal gatherings in a safe, confidential space where all women are welcome, drawing from Transpersonal, Narrative & Shamanic traditions. Includes Talking Circle, Meditation, Medicine Wheel, Music & Sound. Maiden/Autumn honours the qualities of clarity, purpose & direction.Monday 14/5, (& Fri 10/8, Fri 9/11) 2.00pm-4.00pmCost: F$20 C$15 per session Women

*Annual General Meeting*Please join us. It will take place after our annual Volunteer & Facilitator Meeting and will just be the tabling of annual

reports followed by afternoon tea. Tuesday 29/5 12.30pm-1pm Women & men

J U N EThree Women in John’s Gospel: A Jar of Water, an Accusation & a Pound of Precious Ointment.Annette JarrettWe all have our stories, but do we ever tell our own story? This workshop invites you to engage with the stories and silent voices of three women, two un-named plus Mary of Bethany. This will be a contemplative workshop exploring, through meditation, music and art works, the themes of grief, loss & resilience. We will access the wisdom & experience of the group through discussion & dialogue. BYO lunch, nibbles provided.. Friday 1/6, 8/6 12.00pm-4.00pmCost: F$30 C$25 MF$27 MC$22.50 Women & men

*Special Event with Interstate Speakers*Feminist Theologies DayAnne Elvey & Kerrie HandasydeAnne is a Melbourne-based poet, editor & researcher and will present climate change poetry by women in Australia & the Pacific Islands. These poets, Indigenous & non-Indigenous, weave narratives and imag-ery around this central concern of our times. Kerrie will present “Figs & Eucalypts” about Mary Packer Harris. Mary, described as “an ardent pacifist, a visionary and a vegetarian” (1891-1978) was a great innovator in art in Adelaide from the 1930s onwards as an educator, arranging Art exhibitions and as an artist in her own right. The Art Gallery of SA holds five of her works. Her work was infused with her Quaker beliefs and her interest in other faiths.http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/harris-mary-packer-10438The presentation will focus on the themes of environment, Indigenous spirituality and the eschatological vision of the ‘peaceable kingdom on the Torrens’. BYO lunch. Dedicated to the memory of Susan Sullivan OP & Anne Roder.Saturday 23/6 10.00am-3.00pmCost: F$30 C$25 MF$27 MC$22.50 Women

T U E S D AY SMindfulness Practice Barb HancockMindfulness/compassion meditation - 2 guided practices of 25 min. each fol-lowed by open discussion. Will include connecting to the breath, open awareness of sounds & thoughts & body scan to assist in developing increased clarity, bal-ance & joy in everyday life. No experience necessary. Tuesday 3/4, 1/5, 5/6, 3/7, 7/8, 4/9, 2/10 6/11, 4/12 9.30am-11.00am | Cost: F$10 C$5 Women & men

Sophia Singers Margaret MayCome and explore the beauty of women’s spirit through song. Build skills, confi-dence and community in a fun and positive environment. Newcomers welcome! Tuesday 4.00pm-6.00pm | Cost: $10 Members $8 Women

Women Writing (1) Jenny WightmanDo you like to write? You don’t have to be a published author or a formidable wordsmith to join this group of women who meet to explore their experience of life through writing. Anyone with an interest in writing is most welcome!2nd Tuesdays: 13/3, 10/4, 8/5, then 11/9, 9/1010.00am-12.00pm | Cost: F$5 C$3 Women

Women Writing (2) Jenny WightmanDo you like to write? You don’t have to be a published author or a formidable wordsmith to join this group of women who meet to explore their experience of life through writing. Anyone with an interest in writing is most welcome!3rd Tuesdays: 20/3, 17/4, 15/5, 19/6, 17/7, 21/8, 18/9, 16/10, 20/11 10.00am-12.00pm | Cost: F$5 C$3 Women

Connect Play Create Trish FairleyFun, creative and playful, using the improvisational tools of InterPlay, we move our bodies, tell stories, use our voices and create stillness. It’s a great way to connect with others, live more lightly & experience grace.Tuesday 20/3, 17/4, 15/5, 19/6, 17/7, 14/8, 18/9, 16/10, 20/111.45pm-3.45pm | Cost: F$12 C$10 MF$10.80 MC$9 Women

Exploring Feminist Liberation TheologiesAngela MoloneyA lively discussion group looking at current writings of feminist liberation the-ologies from around the world. Come and share the insights and challenges. All you need is an eagerness to discover how ‘God-Talk’ that begins with women’s experiences changes how we understand ourselves, the world and the Sacred. Tuesday 27/3, 24/4, 22/5, 26/6, 24/7, 28/8, 25/9, 23/10, 27/11 10.30am-12.00pm | Cost: F$5 C$3 Women New members welcome!

Grow Your Food & Save the EarthJacqui Cookes & Maryanne Sanders An enthusiastic group who share the joys and frustrations of growing food in changing climatic conditions. These sessions focus on sharing information and experience, alternated with visits to gardens. Newcomers most welcome! First session at Sophia. Bold indicates garden visits.Tuesday 27/3, 24/4, 22/5, 26/6, 24/7, 28/8, 25/9, 23/10, 27/11 1.45pm-3.45pm | Cost: F$5 C$3 Women & men

Nurturing Friendships, Sharing StoriesMaureen O’Connell, Elaine MacFarlane & Sophia VogtThese gatherings welcome those with a disability or disadvantage. Come, connect, make new friends and share stories over a light lunch. Carers and friends welcome too! Women & menTuesday 27/3, 22/5, 24/7, 25/9, 27/11 1.00pm-3.45pm | No cost

W E D N E S D AY SEnglish Classes for Refugee WomenThese classes provide English tuition and practical life skills for refugee women and others not able to access alternative classes. Supportive environment with child-minding provided. Weekly during school terms. 10.00am-12.30pm | No cost Women

Circle Dancing for Health & Wellbeing Marisa Ala DeaMeaningful, joyful & uplifting, Circle Dance combines easy to learn dance steps with music from around the world. Previous dance experience not required & all women welcome, from beginners to beyond! Weekly during school terms.1.30pm-3.00pm Cost: F$18 C$15 MF$13.50 MC$10.80 Women

Silent Meditation Fiona Johnston & Annette JarrettDo you sometimes long for silence, quiet rest and a time to be still? Come to our weekly silent meditation. Cost: Gold coins5.15pm-6.00pm Women & men

Grief ’s Journey MarianA monthly support group for younger adults who have lost their spouse/partner. The group aims to provide support following the untimely death of a partner in a nurturing environment of shared experiences, empathy & understanding. Wednesday 7/3, 4/4, 2/5, 6/6, 4/7, 1/8, 5/9 3/10, 7/11, 5/12 7.00pm-9.00pm | Cost: F$5 C$3 Women & men

F R I D AY STelling Our Beads Marisa Ala DeaParticipants will be guided in planning & creating a personalised tool for individual contemplation - a Beaded Life Cord based on their own unique Life Journey. Activities will include simple bead crafting, sharing of stories, companioning, con-templation & ritual.Friday 9/3, 6/4, 4/5, 25/5, 15/6, 6/7, 27/7, 17/8, 14/9, 5/10, 26/10, 16/11, 7/12 2.00pm-4.30pm | Cost: M$20 C$15 MF$18 MC$13.50 Women

S AT U R D AY SWomen’s Poetry Circle Judith HainesThis is a supportive group of women poets who meet to share their poetry, de-velop writing skills, experiment with style and enjoy a creative group process. The format includes writing workshops & guest readers. WomenSaturday 14/4, 9/6, 11/8, 13/10, 8/12 2.00pm-4.00pm | Cost: F$5 C$3

S U N D AY SSunday Circle Dancing Lyn PorterSavour the peace & joy of community dancing as body, mind & spirit move to uplifting music from around the world. Easy to learn steps, carefully taught, no dance experience necessary. All welcome. Women & menSunday 6/5, 3/6, 1/7, 5/8, 16/9, 14/10, 25/113.00pm-5.00pm | Cost: F$15 C$12 MF$13.50 MC$10.80

Dancing Devotions Marisa Ala DeaWe honour the Path of Spirit as celebrated in chant, prayer, song & music from different cultures & traditions. With rhythmical steps & meditative movement, we dance for grace, for peace, for happiness & healing.Sunday 11/3, 8/4, 13/5, 10/6, 8/7, 12/8, 9/9, 7/10, 4/11, 9/122.00pm-4.30pm | Cost: F$20 C$15 MF$18 MC$13.50 Women & men

Buddhist Meditation Celia KarpfenWe are a non-denominational group who meet for qigong, dharma talks, sitting and walking meditation and discussion. Our practice is influenced by mindfulness and commitment to a spiritual journey. Participants are encouraged to see themselves as their own spiritual authority.Sunday 11/3, 8/4,13/5, 10/6, 8/7, 12/8, 9/9, 14/10, 11/11, 9/12 9.00am-11.30am | Cost: F$6 C$4 Women & men

Regular Events

Sophia News

Volunteers Christmas Brunch

Sophia Opening RitualAt the beginning of February, Maureen led a gentle ritual to celebrate the new year in which everyone added their flow-er/foliage to the vase and wrote on ribbon their hopes for the year to place in a tree in the garden. A lovely poem by Leunig about appreciating the day summed up the feeling.

Tura Lura - Sit with Women (Summer)The first of four seasonal sessions was held recently to honour the Child/Summer and explore the qualities of inno-cence and trust.

Sophia Library

Call of the Reed WarblerCharles Massy

(UQP, 2017)

The patriarchal church modelled a dualistic separation of spirit from matter, perhaps derived from Plato. I think we, and especially feminist theologians, are appreci-ating more deeply the incarnational message in our tradition. It implies that we deeply respect creation in-stead of seeking to dominate and exploit it. (The pres-ent Pope agrees.)

I have just read Call of the Reed Warbler, and I want to share the excitement it brought me. Massy is a farmer in the Monaro, who grew up practising the latest sci-entific chemical agriculture on his family’s farm- until the farm became unproductive. He began research which took him all over the world, , and produced his PhD which became this book- and saved his farm. His subject is Regenerative Farming- which restores the natural fertility and water holding capacity of soil.

Just as we now recognise the vital effect our gut bac-teria have on our mental and physical health- and how they are reduced when we flood them with sugar, fat and salt- so we are becoming aware of the variety and role of the amazing quantity of life below the soil surface. Those bacteria and fungi have evolved with plants, and aid their growth. We decimate these micro-bial populations when we flood the soil with chemicals such as superphosphate, and glyphosate (Round-Up.)

Massy quotes the Catholic Monk Thomas Berry: “ Any recovery of the natural world in its full splendour will require ...a conversion experience deep in the psychic structure of the human.”(p 409) Massey details many converts, here and around the world.

Soil can regenerate its health in as little as three years: the soil biota recovers its complexity, retains humus (carbon) and absorbs and holds water. Plants are more diverse, disease and pest resistant, and animals benefit- including us. As our food recovers its natural complexity, we may see a reduction in such modern plagues as asthma and allergies. And the incredible truth is that if we put regenerative methods into prac-tice, land becomes more productive- and therefore more profitable!

By having respect for nature, as Indigenous people do, we can undo the destruction wrought by our dualis-tic wish to dominate a passive earth. This book gives hope.Jenny Wightman

History Project Workshop

Sunday 22 April 2018, 2pm to 4pm

Would you like to be involved in producing a creative account of Sophia’s history?

We welcome and need your diverse contributions to the telling of the Sophia story of the last 27 years. Come and find out about our project at this workshop and share your ideas for contributing to a publication which will include writing, poetry, interviews, photog-raphy and visual art. A celebratory launch of the Story of Sophia will be held in April 2021, our 30th birthday. We will provide encouragement and support for your contribution during the project.

For more information please email Sophia Vogt or Wendy Jollands at coordinator@sophia.org.au

The Sophia History Group: Freya Cichowski, Jane Hiscock, Angela Moloney, Fiona Johnston, Sophia

Vogt, Wendy Jollands.