Last spring the one of the basement murals suffered water damage and the drywall was replaced. During the Christmas retreat we will design and paint a new mural.

“HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU, KID” The Mural Project Workshop

Zan Lombardo is adapting her signature “EYE TO EYE” painting for this mural project at Burlington. Everyone is invited to have their eye photographed, then projected and traced onto the mural wall. Every person at Christmas Gathering will have the opportunity to paint in their own eye for posterity in any style desired —realistic, abstract, expressionistic, graphic, cartoony, impressionistic—it’s all good! This workshop accommodates all levels of art ability. Zan brings over 20 years of teaching experience in the art studio, so don’t hesitate to come and express yourself and make your mark on Burlington. Zan will help us make our eyes look amazing. Painting on the mural will continue throughout the weekend until all squares are filled and the mural is complete.

Richard Jerram will lead the group in "Gabrielle Roth's 5Rhythms." The 5Rhythms® of Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness are different ways of moving that connect to and develop different ways of being. They form 'The Wave', a simple movement meditation practice that encourages us to find our own dance of embodied feeling and to discover ourselves at our most fluid and creative level, bringing more of ourselves –body, heart, mind & soul- into movement, on the dance floor, in worship, & out in the world. There are no steps to learn and it can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, fitness, ability, or experience. Unlike most meditations, the 5Rhythms is practised not only with others but in relation to them. We shall move to a wide range of music. (Sunday evening)

Carl & Alyssa weaving a belt on an Inkle loom.

Zac & Elizabeth got sparkle colors

Angelina Conti - Writing workshop and Quaker Youth Book Project info session
Writing is a tool Friends have used for centuries to communicate about our lives, faith, ministry and witness in the world. The Quaker Youth Book Project aims to do just that, with a focus on Friends ages 15-35. Coordinated by young adult Friends from all over the world, the Project will assemble writing and art by younger Friends from all branches of the Society. Writing and art workshops are an important piece of that work-- encouraging reflection and creative work by younger Friends, even if that work is not ultimately submitted to the book. Come learn about the QYBP, how you can be involved, and do a creative writing exercise. No creative writing experience is necessary. (Sunday morning & afternoon)

Introduction to Yoga - Sally McQuail. Yoga is finding out about yourself; how your mind, body and spirit work together. Yoga challenges what you can do, while respecting your limits. So take a deep breath, and join us! (Monday afternoon)

Tai Chi - Kim Brosnan-Myers. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese discipline that integrates your mind, body and spirit. Practitioners of Tai Chi use meditation and deep, slow breathing as they continuously move through a series of positions. These series of positions are called forms. Some are short (13 positions) and some are long (108 positions) but they all are done to open the joints and allow qi (or chi) to circulate better throughout the body. It begins in the mind, which leads the qi throughout the body and ends up raising the spirit. Tai Chi is one of the many components of traditional Chinese medicine, and is thought to help increase strength and longevity. It is also known for reducing stress and anxiety. The ultimate goal of Tai Chi is to harmonize our energy with that of the natural universe.
I have been doing Tai Chi over the past 16 years and have found it to be a lifesaver during stressful times and a wonderful healing exercise the rest of the time. I wish I had learned it when I was younger. My teacher is an older Chinese man who has been asking me to teach it to others for a few years now. I will finally fulfill his wish at the December Young Friends Gathering. Come learn a few basics and An Eagle Chi Gong that has me feeling like I am flying!

Belly Dance workshop - Shauna Seese (Monday morning)

	Learning to Knit led by Edy Nolan & Elizabeth Piersol Schmidt. (Sunday& Monday/ morning & afternoon)

Inkle loom belt weaving. - Cookie Caldwell We will warp the Inkle looms and begin weaving a belt. You will be able to continue weaving on your own and should be able to finish before the end of the gathering (Sunday& Monday/ morning & afternoon)                        

Tuesday will be the Young Friends Meeting for Business, Recycle Christmas Gift exchange, and closing Meeting for Worship

Aase got Bath oil & Katie got an Origami kit.

     photo courtesy of John Kratz