Vol 2, Issue 10

A Farewell to Alms
In most of our lives, there are people with whom we bring a smile to our face and a warmth to our heart, simply at the mention of their name, or a passing memory.  Sometimes these people are a close friend, or a long-time casual acquaintance, or simply someone we know at a distance by reputation.

Father Jack Sproule is one of these memorable people.  In his vocational work through the Catholic Church, his personal connections in the community, and the friendships he has fostered, "Father Jack" has left his mark, and touched many.  His influence at The Haven is everywhere, and his contributions to the essence and content of a number of our courses is significant, and a gift.  Chances are, you have a personal moment with Father Jack that is special and enduring, and chances are if you have been to The Haven at all, you have benefited from his spirit.

After 30 years of dedication, Father Jack is retiring.  Together with Ben and Jock, we are organizing an event at The Haven January 6, 2004 to celebrate his life, career, and retirement.  With his usual mastery of double entendre, Ben has blessed the event as "A Farewell To Alms".

Ben and Jock will host the event, which begins with a gathering at 4pm to offer recollections about experiences with Jack, his life, and his work.  There will be a dinner at 6pm, and an after-dinner variety show.  The event will conclude by 10pm for people wanting to take the last ferry from Gabriola that evening.

We hope you will be here, and if you are so-inspired, will come up with a presentation of some kind to mark the event (serious, funny, or mixed).  If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or offerings to help make this a fun and moving time for Father Jack, be in touch with us at manager@haven.ca

You can join this tribute to Father Jack, which includes the afternoon and evening sessions, a full 3-course buffet dinner, coffee and tea, for $30 per person.  To reserve, contact our Reception staff (250 247 9211 extension "0" or recept@haven.ca ).  If you decide to spend the night, we will be happy to book a room for you as well.
 

A Creative Way To Join Phase IV!
The phone rang the other day.  The person on the other end said "I'm wondering what I have to do to be eligible to win the Phase IV give-away."

"Well" we said, "all you have to do is be a registered student with The Haven Institute."

"That's it?!"

"Yup.  AND if you are a registered student and participate in a Come Alive this year you will receive 5 bonus entries; if you participate in any 2003 Phase program you are entered 10 more times."

"And I could win a whole month at The Haven, meals and room included?!"

"Well, to be accurate it's not quite a month, it's actually 25 days, so that's almost a month."

"And I get to take part in Phase IV at no charge?!"

"Yup.  25 days of writing, singing, acting, dancing, carving, painting, moving, sculpting, journaling and more, plus all your meals and accommodation ­ all you have to do is get yourself here and home again.  And if it is anything like the last Creative Phase you will likely surprise yourself with just how much creativity you will discover!  The expression of who we are is the best part of personal awareness and discovery.  It's about the sheer pleasure of being ­ and the joy, challenge, and passion of being creative."

"Wow!  You know, when I first read last June that The Haven was giving away a whole Phase IV I don't think it really sunk in.  You might want to remind people that it is really happening!"

"That's a good idea!  Maybe we'll find some creative way to mention it in the next Update.  Are you OK if we include our conversation with you?"

"Sure!"

"Thanks Jock."

(The previous conversation is an entirely fictitious event designed to remind you that you could participate in next year's Phase IV absolutely free just by registering as a student with The Haven.  Any similarity between this conversation and any real conversation is just a happy coincidence!)

A New Phase for Phase II
Ask anyone who has participated in Phase II about their experience and you will probably hear a different answer every time.  The common thread in each is the enduring value and insight that lives and grows for years afterward.  The unique blend of creating a 25-day community and merging with others as they join for Relationships, Sex and ID, and Come Alive Thru Video, is its own learning.  Take this experience... and fold it into the evolving of Phase I: Self Awareness... and then into Phase II's underpinnings of Self and Other... and you begin to get some understanding of the life-impact this course can offer.

This year's Phase II is even more special.  Two of our favourite people, Gwen Ewan and Wendy Huntington, are bringing their years of experience and talent together for the first time to lead Phase II.  Their enthusiasm, excitement, and passion for being with others is a hallmark of their style, and we're looking forward to seeing these two in action.  If you have been thinking about treating yourself to Phase II, now is the time to make the move from "intention" to "action" and join Wendy and Gwen for a phase of your life that will never end!
 

En-lighten Saving Time
The days are getting shorter, the nights longer, and we are all discovering the stuff we haven't worn since last spring.  While you take a look at your old wardrobe, take a look at our new fall schedule.  You can Laugh yourself to a new Phase of a Healthy Living Sex Identity by Navigating a Creative Come Alive Relationship with an Intuitive Edge of Fear, Anxiety, Boundaries, and Writing the Cauldron to Awaken with Clay Compassion and Engage in Resilient Conflict that Awakens Your Erotic Reflections!

• The Quantum Laugh(Oct 23-25) with Carol Ames
• Pro-D For The Self(Oct 24-25) with Ellery Littleton, Mary Helen Littleton
• Phase II: Self and Other (Oct 25-Nov 19)
• Healthy Living to 140 (Oct 31-Nov 2) with Norm Shealy
• Sex and Identity(Oct 31-Nov 6)
• The Haven Symposium: Being Alive & Well in Stressful Times (Nov 2-3)
• Navigating Workplace Change (Nov 6-9) with Ian Curtin, Cathy Wilder
• Creative Mythmaking(Nov 7-9) with Dianne Anderson, Leslie Whyte
• Come Alive Through Video (Nov 7-12)
• Relationships(Nov 13-16)
• The Intuitive Edge(Nov 16-22) with Phil Winkelmans
• Transforming Fear and Anxiety (Nov 20-23) with David Raithby, Sandey McCartbney
• Anger, Boundaries, and Safety (Nov 20-23) with Joann Peterson
• Writing For Life(Nov 21-23) with Ellery Littleton
• Come Alive (Nov 23-28)
• Stirring the Cauldron(Nov 28-30) with Elfi Dillon Shaw
• Awakening to the Healer Within (Nov 28-30) with James Sacamano
• Play with Clay(Nov 28-30) with Joel Prevost, Joan Murphy
• Self Compassion(Nov 28-Dec 1) with Wayne Dodge, Gwen Ewan
• Engaging Resilience(Dec 4-7) with Joann Peterson, Gillian Enright, Wendy Huntington
• Couples in Conflict(Dec 5-7) with Judy Sellner
• Awakening Your Erotic Body (Dec 5-7) with Gary Dillon, Elfi Dillon Shaw
• Reflections (Dec 28-Jan 1)

Are you within an easy drive of Prince George?  David Raithby will be in the area Friday November 7 to Sunday November 9 presenting "Embodying Health and Well-being" at The Willows.  This course offers take-home techniques and tools including breath, body movement and posture to improve your physical, emotional, and mental health.  And if you have ever been part of David's courses you know there is going to be more than a few opportunities to smile along the way!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Jock, happy October 19 birthday to you!

That's a wrap for this Update.  We'll be in touch again next month with more news and information about the courses, events and people that are The Haven.  If you want to be in touch with us, visit our website www.haven.ca, email us at info@haven.ca or call us at 250 247-9211.

Take care, enjoy yourself, and each other, and be in touch soon.
 
 

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