Come and listen to short stories and poetry that offer a window through which to explore with one another life’s journey from birth to death. This day of reflection will be led by Dorothy Scott.
Why short stories? The Irish novelist Niall Williams says:
“We tell stories to pass the time, to leave the world for a while, or go more deeply into it. We tell stories to heal the pain of living.”
And why poetry? The poet Mary Oliver tells us:
“Poetry is a life-changing force. For poems are not words, after all, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something as necessary as bread in the pockets of the hungry.”
In the Gembrook Retreat Meeting House, surrounded by native trees and birds, we shall immerse ourselves in stories and poems which illuminate the contours of our lives – past, present and future.
Some of the questions we might explore through the prism of prose and poetry include:
How have our lives been shaped by when and where we were born?
What are the gifts given to us in childhood that have remained deeply within us across the years?
When our imagined future is lost, how do we come to terms with this?
For what do we live and for what do we hope as the end of our life approaches?
Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott AM
Dorothy was born in Wales and came to Australia when she was four years of age. After a career in social work practice and research, Dorothy retired to Macclesfield where she and her husband, Alan Clayton, are engaged in habitat restoration for endangered species. She serves as the Quaker representative on the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce and is actively involved in refugee advocacy and support. Dorothy is a Shared Reading facilitator and finds spiritual inspiration in literature.
Cost: $100 (concession $60), all proceeds go to Gembrook Retreat.
Food: Vegetarian lunch and morning and afternoon tea will be provided.
Questions about the workshop? Contact Dorothy: dorothy@avonsfield.com.au
Accommodation
Some overnight accommodation is available, to be booked separately. Book through the Gembrook Retreat website or contact us at info@gembrookretreat.org.au for more information.