It turned out the weather was beautiful the weekend of Jan31-Feb. 2, 2025 for the first annual Winter Retreat sponsored by Women’s Connection. My good friend, Dana, and I (well actually she was behind the wheel) drove down to Harpole's Heartland Lodge outside of Nebo, Illinois, normally used as a hunting lodge. We were rewarded with a warm welcome from our sisters when we arrived around 7:30 p.m.
There were 21 of us in all. The lodge was full. Kathy Miller, an amazing organizational force with the food and everything else, and Diana DeWeese and Elaine Orr were her capable and faithful assistants in the kitchen. The food was great, plentiful, and delicious. There was a nice big dining room table at which to gather, and the rest of us ate in the great room.
There were some new faces at this retreat, as well as some faces we have not seen for some time. Such a welcome sight!
We had two very fun workshops. In honor of Imbolc, Diana DeWeese showed us how to begin the process of planting seeds by moistening a paper towel, sprinkling the seeds atop, and then moistening another paper towel and putting that over the first; making a little paper towel sandwich for the seeds. We put our “sandwich” into a baggie and popped it into the refrigerator. This process is called “Cold Stratification.” Very fun. We took our seeds home and they are now in our refrigerators awaiting germination, at which time they will be delicately transferred to a pot. We also layered different bulbs in a pot and now await their blooming. What a lovely reminder of Imbolc.
The other workshop was run by the amazing Julie Brown, who showed us how to make a Bridget’s Cross. We also learned a little of the history of Bridget’s Cross. These crosses, usually made from reeds – but this year from colorful pipe cleaners – are made each year as a symbol of new beginnings. They can be hung as talismans on the door of a home or barn. Imbolc thoughtfully fell on the Saturday of the weekend. Thank you, Imbolc. We are feeling the spirit of renewal.
We had vendors, too! Gretchen was selling UU women’s jewelry and books, Kathy Schultz was selling chalices, Tina was selling her woven treasures, and Gina was giving massages.
The weather was nice enough to venture outside for a walk, read a book indoors, and reconnect with old friends or getting to know new ones, putting together puzzles, and just taking some deep breaths, breathing in the warmth of community. Some of us even got to play a tiny bit of Euchre!!!
After dinner, Saturday night, we had open mic. Julie Brown dazzled us with her songs, as did Sue Ignazito-Wilhelm, Gretchen Ohmann. Some of us stayed up way past our bedtime retrieving the words to timeless folk songs. As the fire crackled, it was a warm time, full of laughing and memories. We did not need a jacket on that Sunday. Woohoo. Thanks, Southern Illinois. Thanks be to All Beings for the good weather at the end of January and beginning of February.
We cleared out of Heartland Lodge by 11:00 on Sunday, after breakfast and a brief ritual releasing the directions and ourselves for the ride home. We left with full hearts, nourished spiritually, emotionally, and physically by being with like-minded women.
There is magick in being together. In these uncertain times, it is wonderful and necessary to anchor ourselves to each other for support and build a community. We hope you will consider joining us at Pilgrim Park in central Illinois for the Spring Retreat. Those dates are: May 30-June 1. May 29 is an optional day.
Blessed Be.
Patricia Hyams
