Creative Mindfulness

On 01/10/2018 By wendygracehendry2 Comments

Creative Mindfulness Workshops were held on 14 & 15 September 2018 a the Margaret River Uniting Church. These workshops were offered to the Margaret River community as an acknowledgement and support following the recent experiences of loss and trauma. They were a collaboration between Margaret River Uniting Church, Wild Art Weaving and Tig-le Dharma House Tig-le Dharma House, designed to provide a supportive, inclusive space for adults to create for, to share with and to honour the Margaret River Community.

Participants made sculptures of weaving and clay using locally found natural materials, native seeds and easy sculptural techniques. The large, hanging sculptural artworks created during the workshop were designed to be shared with the wider community. Throughout the workshops, participants were guided gently to practice mindfulness and centering techniques, combining with the creative aspects to bring focus and calmness.

In the final session of the workshop the small symbolic hanging sculptures made from seeded clay, were combined with the 5 large woven orbs that will be installed in various community spaces. Blessings were added to the orbs and a small ceremony was held to conclude the workshops.

The workshops were a peaceful, meaningful and enjoyable experience for those who attended, with participants appreciating taking some time out for themselves, and feeling a sense of peace and connected-ness.

Local community organisations were approached to enable the orbs to be hung in a suitable space to be enjoyed by the community. The Margaret River Library, the Margaret River Community Resource Centre and the Community Garden have already accepted the invitation. On Friday 19 October a small morning tea will be held at the Uniting Church where local community representatives and workshop participants will be invited and the orbs handed over.

Money raised from the workshop has been donated to Suicide Prevention Margaret River, (https://www.facebook.com/groups/spmr2017/)a local organisation which is driven to inspire change through sport, training, education and fun. Special thanks to Cynamon for bringing her wonderful creativity to running these workshops, and to the dedicated organising team to help make them happen, and to members of the Margaret River UCA congregation who supported the event by providing food for the participants. It really was a wonderful experience of collaboration and community.

We are keen to organise future workshops – watch this space!

Thanks to Claire Smith for taking so many beautiful photos.

Creative Mindfulness Workshops

On 29/08/201829/08/2018 By margaretriverunitingLeave a comment

Workshops for calmness, centering and peace – 14 & 15 September 2018

The Margaret River community has experienced loss, stress and trauma in recent times. These workshops are designed by Margaret River Uniting Church, Wildart Weaving and Tig-Le House to acknowledge that in a creative, mindful and respectful way.

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE – Creative Mindfulness Flyer

There will be two sessions available (see full program details below):

Friday 14 September – 10 – 3pm

Saturday 15 September – 10 – 3pm

Tickets are $30 per session and can be purchased from our Trybooking page – www.trybooking.com/XRPU

Who can attend?
These workshops are for adults only and are not suitable for children to attend. No previous art experience necessary.
What will we be creating?
In the Friday workshop, we will use the technique of Random Weaving to create big sculptural orbs that will be made from locally found natural materials, recycled materials and paper. This will then be followed by a Clay Sculpture workshop on Saturday morning, where participants will create small symbolic hanging sculptures from seeded clay.

On Saturday afternoon, we will finish off our pieces and then assemble our hanging artworks. The clay items will then be hung or placed in each of the woven orbs to create 5-8 big hanging pieces that will be part of a community artwork installation. We then finish with a ‘hanging the art’ ceremony, feedback and a plan for the artworks.

Throughout the workshops, participants will be guided to practice mindfulness as they create their artworks. They will initially work on pieces for the community artwork, but will also be given opportunity to create their own individual pieces, which they can take home. The workshops can be attended separately, however we encourage people to attend both sessions where possible. Given availability, Friday workshop participants may be able to attend the Saturday afternoon session (for a donation), to finish off their art pieces and attend the ceremony.

Full Program:

Coffee Chat and More

On 29/08/201829/08/2018 By wendygracehendryLeave a comment

Every second Monday a group from our church community gets together in Cowaramup to chat over a cuppa. Some bring their craft projects, others simply enjoy the informal company over a hot drink.

“These people are my friends. They are like sisters.”

The initiative began about three and a half years ago after a casual discussion over a cuppa was being enjoyed midweek by a few congregational members. The value and enjoyment of meeting and chatting was discussed, and so they decided to open it up to the congregation by way of a regular time and place to meet fortnightly.

Since its beginnings it has been a popular regular meeting space, and highly valued by those who attend. We asked some of our regulars what it is they appreciate about Coffee Group, and these were some of the responses:

“This is where I can catch up with my church friends and share ideas and
skills.”

“Conversation is never dull on coffee mornings. We discuss a lot of issues
and I learn a lot, listening to different opinions.”

“It used to be something I attended if there was nothing else to do. Now I
mark it clearly in my diary so that nothing interferes with it.”

“It gives me a reason to get going on a Monday morning. What will I wear? I
watch the clock so that I’m not late.”

“These people are my friends. They are like sisters.”

“We don’t always see eye to eye but we are confident we can be ourselves.”

“We have seen many craft projects completed in the nearly four years we have
been meeting. But this is by no means the reason I go. Even if I sit and do
nothing, I am part of a supportive group that is an extension of my church
and my faith.”

It’s wonderful that something as simple as getting together over a cuppa can be such an important part of people’s week!

Coffee Group meets fortnightly on Monday mornings from 10am at Smithereens Cafe in Cowaramup. If you would like to know more you can email the office and we will pass on the information – unitingchurch.mr@bigpond.com

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