M A R C H
2 0 1 5
the
NEWSLETTER
Fresh Renewal Center
1340 Burning Tree, Florissant, MO 63033
Tel: (314) 839-8828
www.freshrenewal.org
In Case You
Missed It!
The Only Thing Missing Was the Ants
The annual picnic in Augusta was extra special this year or
maybe the F.R.E.S.H. picnics always feel that way! Regardless,
we started the day in our usual way, on a hill under the trees,
moving slowly with Herb Paaron leading us in gentle Tai Chi
form. We exhale the cares of the world, inhale the energy of the
Earth, and the tone is set. Our speaker, David Patterson, shared
his amazing, inspirational story of experience, strength, and
hope, which brought both tears and side-splitting laughter to us.
After a lovely picnic of BBQ burgers and brats, David, with the
help of his sons, also shared his gift of drumming and Native
American song which was a spiritual experience all on its own!
Throughout the day, we met new friends, walked the labyrinth,
reconnected with one another, and raffled off a seemingly
endless array of attendance prizes! The day ended too soon.
Join us for this year’s picnic - Saturday, June 6, 2015
Save the Date!
Coming Soon…..Gentle Lunch!
May 2, 2015 – Mercy Retreat Conference Center (10:00 – 3:00)
Topic: The Art of Acceptance – Speaker: Lisa Von Stanwitz
Join us as we explore the challenge of acceptance, through story
and reflection, while learning meditation tools than can lead to
self-awareness and gentle transformation.
Picnic With a
Purpose
Saturday,
June 6, 2015
Karen Casey Writing
Workshop
Note schedule change
Sept. 18-20, 2015
Candlelight
Ceremony
Sunday,
Dec. 6, 2015
F.R.E.S.H. NEWS
MARCH 2015
RE-F.R.E.S.H. with Board Renewal
We held a Board retreat on August 16, 2014 which was facilitated by Yvonne Samuel, Executive
Director of The Transformational Agenda. Yvonne led us to reflect on our primary purpose - the
F.R.E.S.H. Mission, why we exist, and where we should focus our efforts. We also took time to
connect with spirit and with one another. Some Board members’ reflections: “We have a richness of
people and talents,” “Reenergized me..very helpful! I got refocused,” “We may not all articulate it
the same, but everyone in our hearts knows what the mission is,” “Our events do fit our mission,”
“I feel more open to change.”
Karen Casey Writing Workshop
Writing for Growth – Writing for Peace of Mind
The journaling workshop was held in Augusta, Sept 12-14, 2014, and attended by 21 writers. We came
together with a certain reverence for this spiritual place and with anticipation of deepening spiritual
connection, which happens as we are willing to allow it. The F.R.E.S.H. mission statement says “We
hope you will find here permission to be yourself in a way you may not find in the world at large.”
Karen gently encourages us to do just that and by weekend’s end, we are grateful for how our spirits
are filled here and for the deep connection we share in our experiences. We leave feeling more gentle
with ourselves, and therefore, with others.
Note: Karen shares that she is cutting her travels back to two per year and that the F.R.E.S.H.
Renewal Center Writing Workshop is to be one of the two trips she will make – Yea!
We are thrilled to announce our next writer’s retreat will be held Sept. 18-20, 2015.
Come fellow seekers and join us!
Come On Baby, Light My Fire! (Or) A Grateful Repose
Our Candlelight Ceremony was held December 7, 2014 at Neve Shalom. The evening started with
good food and fellowship, then Rabbi Jim Goodman began the sharing with wonderful songs and
rich storytelling, followed by each one lighting a candle and sharing their stories of gratitude from
the past year. On the outside, we were a diverse group, but our stories revealed more similarities
than differences. Funny how that always happens…
Spotlight on the Board: Kathy Courtois
Kathy Courtois is our newest board member, to date. She embodies the F.R.E.S.H spirit in her work
with others using Healing Touch and Cranial - Sacral adjustment in her sessions. Kathy joined our
board in May, 2014, after attending F.R.E.S.H. events for many years. She said that F.R.E.S.H. was
there for her when she needed it so she hopes to be there for others now. Kathy belongs to a
women’s circle at Rockhaven which aids in her spiritual growth. She has “let God out of the box” (as
Dick McKinley says) and feels that F.R.E.S.H. events help nurture her continued growth. Kathy has
a passion for line dancing and Pickleball. She is always cooking or baking something to be taken to
somebody! She has a wicked sense of humor! We are delighted to have Kathy’s enthusiastic energy
on the F.R.E.S.H. board!
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