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November 2022       

Dear Veriditas Community,

Together, we are blossoming in so many ways.  We’re back to holding in person events in Chartres and at Grace!  Our committees are moving ahead with realizing their goals. Our Board is on the move. News highlights are listed below.

With love and gratitude,


Dawn Matheny

Executive Director

Dawn at Mont Saint-Michel 

A note from Auction Coordinator, Jenny Slama:

I'd like to extend a deep bow of gratitude to all of you who participated in our auction fundraising efforts this year. However you selected to support the auction - by donating an item, placing a bid, spreading the word or making a monetary donation - the generosity of each individual was appreciated and made an impact!   We came in just short of our $25,000 goal. I feel thankful for our supportive community. We had more items than ever - and each year we expand our auction offerings with new and creative entries thanks to our wonderful donors.  If you have any questions or would like to give feedback about our auction, please feel welcome to contact me at jenny@veriditas.org.   Our auction committee strives to build an inclusive, spirited and beautiful auction each and every year and it was an honor serving you 2022.  Look for a "Save the Date" announcement this coming Spring when we get ready to launch our 2023 auction campaign!

Board Update

Kathe Rhinesmith retired from the Veriditas Board after six years of service, the last four as our Board chair, where she did an outstanding job of leading Veriditas through the challenging times of the pandemic.

Twylla Alexander, former Board Liaison to the Veriditas Council, was elected as the new Board Chair in August 2022.  She will be leading Veriditas into a strategic look at what’s ahead for us, beginning with a session titled “Threshold Planning.” A very warm welcome Twylla!  
Replacing Twylla on the Council as the Council-Board Liaison will be Leslie Wright from Ontario.  Great to have a Canadian on the Board again! Welcome Leslie!  

International Growth

Hong Kong:  Chi-Shan Lam, a Veriditas Approved Facilitator Trainer, has started the Hong Kong Labyrinth Network
(a Chinese Society 香港明陣學會).  Workshops and Facilitator Training are now offered twice a year in Cantonese by Chi-Shan. We are delighted to have a partner organization in Hong Kong spreading the work of the labyrinth.

Australia:  Four Australians are stepping into offering Qualifying Workshops and Facilitator Trainings in Australia.  After many years of preparation, they are now Veriditas Approved Facilitator Trainers.  A partnership has been established with the Australian Labyrinth Network to promote in-person Veriditas Facilitator Trainings throughout Australia. 

      • Tina Christensen – Tasmania
      • Heather Middleton – New South Wales
      • Christina Rowntree – Victoria
      • Sue Thomas - Queensland

Chartres

This summer we were delighted to host our first in-person events in over two and a half years, and what better place to gather again than at Chartres Cathedral! The labyrinth seemed to be whirling with energy and many attending our three pilgrimages felt deeply embraced. We appreciate the flexibility, enthusiasm, and participation as we adapt in these changing times. 



Another step in virtual programming

In September we produced our first hybrid event with recordings broadcast Direct from Chartres. We had not planned to record a virtual labyrinth walk, but when an Italian TV Documentary cleared the labyrinth of chairs and brought in studio lighting, an incredible window opened to create this visual journey. The audio recording from our private candlelight walk on Friday is included with music by Nicolas Lhoste & L'Ensemble Fulbert de Chartres.

Join us in person

We’ll be back at Grace Cathedral for the first time since the pandemic for Women’s Dream Quest this November.

We're excited to return to Chartres again in June of 2023 for Meeting Mary with Judith Tripp, a pilgrimage on Holding Space with Heather Plett, and a Facilitator Training with Lauren Artress.

View our online calendar for all of our offerings including a September Chartres pilgrimage as well. In the true spirit of the Holy Fool, we are taking risks, creating new modalities, and continuing to find a way to contribute to our evolving world.

Labyrinths in Higher Education Initiative: Labyrinth Resources in Libraries!

Want to help spread the awareness and appreciation for labyrinths? Share this list of recommended books with your local librarian! Our Higher Education committee compiled these suggestions for a display or collection on campus or in your community. Library displays could include information about local labyrinths, handheld labyrinths, and coloring pages or seed patterns as handouts. Photos from the Hendrix College Library by Twylla Alexander


Inclusion Initiative: Land Acknowledgments

The Inclusion Initiative is working on a land acknowledgment for Veriditas and resources for facilitators. We hope to offer a webinar in January to share the value and importance of land acknowledgments, examples from our committee members, and advice on shaping one for your events. For more information see nativegov.org 

The Veriditas Council Labyrinth Restoration Project

The biggest labyrinth revival of 2022 was in Houston, Texas, at St. Paul's Methodist Church. Originally installed by Marty Kermeen in 2011, this labyrinth was covered with mildew, city grime, and moss flourished in many of the crevasses between the pavers. Contrast between the field lines and path was low making it hard to discern the pattern. Nathan Wiles and Chuck Hunner cleaned the surface, darkened the design, and sealed the labyrinth. To request assistance restoring a labyrinth, complete this form.


Dates to Remember

Our Veriditas Holiday Store will open in early November and run through December 10th

World Labyrinth Day – May 6, 2023

Collaborative partnership between Veriditas, The Labyrinth Society, Legacy Labyrinth, and the Australian Labyrinth Network continues.  Planning has begun.  SAVE THE DATE.

Year-End Fundraising Campaign begins November 15!  DONATE NOW or watch for your letter to come.  We invite the support of our whole community, no matter how large or how small – see it as a way to say YES, we want Veriditas to continue
to offer programs and trainings!  

Friday Hand-held Labyrinth Walks continue. Join us for community nourishment!
November 4 at 4PM with Judith Tripp  |  November 11 at Noon with Marion Patterson 
November 18 at Noon with Laura Esculcas  |  November 25 at 4 PM with Karen Knight

Other News

Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator Reginald Adams led the creation of an inspiring public labyrinth in downtown Houston. Members of the community painted cinder blocks that were planted with flowers for an installation that formed a temporary labyrinth for three months. See image below.

Artist Lee Mingwei recently presented 'Our Labyrinth for Grace' at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Performers swept rice mindfully across the surface of the labyrinth taking turns in an epic ritual that lasted twelve hours. See a snippet of the performance filmed by Lani Krantz and watch an explanation of the work from the Tate.

Musician Olivia Frances recently released a new single entitled 'Labyrinth'. "I was inspired to write this song with my talented friend Jason Hunt after walking the labyrinth in Chautauqua, NY a few summers ago. I left feeling deeply inspired and more connected to myself. This spiritual, ancient symbol represents life in all its pieces and all its wholeness." Listen here



101 H Street, Suite D, Petaluma, CA 94952   |   Phone 707-283-0373    |    contact@veriditas.org

Veriditas is dedicated to inspiring personal and planetary change and renewal through the labyrinth experience.

We accomplish our mission by training and supporting labyrinth facilitators around the world, and offering meaningful events that promote further understanding of the labyrinth as a tool for personal and community transformation. Our Vision is that the labyrinth experience guides us in developing the higher level of human awareness we need to thrive in the 21st century.

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