The Work That Reconnects is a spiral of practices that supports us in meeting the multiple crises of our times.
Based in the teachings of Joanna Macy, the Work unfolds as a spiral journey through four stages: Coming from Gratitude, Honouring our Pain for the world, Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes, and Going Forth. The journey helps us experience first hand that we are larger, stronger, more creative - and more deeply interconnected - than we knew.
We have found this work to be powerful and transformative for those who enter into it, and as facilitators we gain great benefit from revisiting the practices regularly with you all. The Work That Reconnects aligns with our desire at Gembrook Retreat to invite people on to the land to encounter God in creation, and to equip each other to live a soulful life.
What we’ll be doing
Spending time with Country (nature connection, deep ecology)
Learning about frameworks and doing practices from the Work That Reconnects
Sharing and deep listening (not primarily discussion)
Being in silent contemplation
Singing (or listening to the songs!)
Eating and drinking (all food provided)
Make a weekend of it!
We have several accommodation spaces available for people who want to arrive Friday and stay on until Sunday. Give yourself extra time to be on the land, absorb the experience and connect with other workshop participants and Gembrook Retreat community.
Meals provided (vegan, with gluten free options)
Workshop Cost: sliding scale $125/$100/$75
Accommodation (optional, by arrangement): $50/$35/$25/$10 per person per night
Please contact us if cost would prevent you from attending as we are able to offer some further subsidised places. We are also happy to receive payment in instalments. Feel free to talk to us about using NDIS funding.
The Active Hope workshop is empowering. It shows we have agency to make change. We are taught to use stories, those we tell ourselves and others, that lead to action, can bring about real change to our self and throughout history. It counters the certain doom narratives, not focused on the inevitable destruction and instead taking the power back.
The workshop introduced the idea of legacy to motivate action now. It’s made me grow hakea seeds to grow trees that future generations of black cockatoos will feed on, instead of stressing about the death of one tree.
Wes Wilson
It was profoundly powerful to pause from the ‘fight against’ and have a space to grieve. It has reconnected my heart and soul into my work for change - I feel a bit more integrated, less overwhelmed, more hopeful and heart-felt.
Jessica Morrison, APAN (Australia Palestine Advocacy Network)
As a environmental activist, thinker, and writer, my thoughts can get pretty grim, and I can feel very isolated. This workshop was invigorating, connecting me with the earth, my own pain, with others, and with my mission. I can't recommend this workshop highly enough.
Mick Pope, meteorologist and theologian