WATERCOLOR: UNIQUE TEXTURES
May 1 – Monday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Karen Kappell, FSPA
We will explore ways of altering the water to create unique and easy-to-use backgrounds that can be used in any watercolor paintings. Often a subject for a painting is created and then the question arises “What do I do with the background?” You will learn easy and unique ways of dealing with the question. Several techniques will be shown, practiced on small scale, and then applied to a larger subject of your choice. Bring watercolor supplies, 140# cold press watercolor paper that is preferably stretched or in a pad, small sheets for practice. Other needed supplies will be there for your use. Fee: $30.00. Bring a lunch. Register by Tuesday, April 25.

WATERCOLOR: MOVING BEYOND THE BRUSH
May 2 – Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Karen Kappell, FSPA
Now is the time to expand your choices and energize your art with great brush-free watermedia techniques. Using brushless methods early in a painting frees the imagination and leaves refinement with the brush for a later phase in the painting. Bring watercolors, plus a stretched half sheet of watercolor paper, and small sheets of watercolor paper for practice. Fee: $30 Bring a lunch. Register by Wednesday, April 26.

SKYPE AND SIP FOR SPIRITUAL SEEKERS
May 2, June 6, July 3, August 8 3:00-4:00 p.m. (Central Time); first Tuesday of each month (except July is a Monday)
Facilitator: Julia Walsh, FSPA
Join our new faith sharing discussion group from anywhere via your device with Skype. Grab your beverage of choice, light a candle, and join our contemplative conversation. Our first conversation will explore what spiritual practices help us pause and connect with the Divine in the midst of our busy days. $5.00 donation for each session. Please call 715-385-3750 at least 24 hours prior to join the discussion. Include your Skype profile name, email address and phone number.

WATERCOLOR: PAINTING WITH A LARGE BRUSH
May 3 – Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Karen Kappell, FSPA
One of the best ways to get a dramatic look to a painting is by using a large brush in applying the paint. Because one is concentrating on the large brush strokes the painting develops quickly and can be determined earlier with a light pencil sketch of the main shape areas. You will need to bring a stretched half sheet of 140# cold press watercolor paper or 300# sheet of cold press paper. A half sheet is about 15 by 22 inches. Also bring a 1 1/2 or 2 inch flat brush, watercolors and your usual watercolor supplies. Landscape or seascape would be a good subject. Fee: $30.00. Bring a lunch. Register by Wednesday, April 26.

FOR YOUR GARDEN: PATRON SAINTS, BLESSINGS, TRADITIONS
May 4 – Thursday 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Pat Pintens
It might be a little early to dig in the earth but it’s not too early to dig up some information about saints who loved gardening, blessings we can add to our gardening work and our garden’s soil, and fun facts and customs regarding gardening. Suggested offering $10.00. Register by Monday, May 1.

SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY
May 4 – Thursday 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Coordinators: Jan Lewis & Marla Lang, FSPA
IONS (Institute of Noetic Sciences) is an international group founded in 1973 by Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell. Noetic comes from the Greek, “noesis/noetikos” meaning inner/ intuitive knowing. A local community group meets monthly at Marywood to explore the intersection of science and spirituality. It is about the “new story”of who we are and what we are capable of becoming. The group is currently viewing and discussing “Missing Links”, a 2017 original series by author Gregg Braden. The series explores and blends scientific findings with wisdom traditions to expand our understanding of consciousness and of the questions “Who am I?” and “Who are we?” It is not necessary to have seen previous episodes to attend a meeting. The next meetings will be held May 4, June 1, July 6 and August 10, at 1:00-3:00 p.m. You are invited!

MEDITATIVE NATURE WALK
May 8 – Monday 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Facilitators: Julia Walsh, FSPA and North Lakeland Discovery Center staff
Meet at the North Lakeland Discovery Center and join their naturalists for a guided nature walk that will help you open your eyes and hearts to the wonders all around. Then, enter into contemplative dialogue about the ways the landscape speaks to your Spirit. Donations accepted. Note: If you’d like to carpool from Marywood, please call us on Friday, May 5 (715-385-3750).

OUT OF DARKNESS AND RUBBLE
May 9 -Tuesday 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Presenter: Marla Lang, FSPA
Where is God in mess? What messages flow from rubble? What is evident in the darkness that one cannot see in the light? How does one pray in darkness? And, do you call this a part of one’s spiritual journey? Let us together examine such questions. Suggested offering $10.00. Register by Friday, May 5.

MOVIE NIGHT AT MARYWOOD
May 12 – Friday 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Facilitator: Julia Walsh, FSPA
Film, popcorn, social consciousness and spiritual connections! All these elements will nourish our minds, bodies and spirits as we view a film together and have a round table discussion about it. Call 715-385-3750 to hear what film we’re showing and register by May 5. Suggested offering $10.00.

NATURE POETRY WORKSHOP
May 13 – Saturday 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Facilitator: Julia Walsh, FSPA
Come to this day of reverencing words and contemplating the goodness of God’s creation! We’ll discuss samples of nature poetry, study a bit of technique, be challenged by a writing prompt and spend time in nature writing. At the end of the session we’ll share our creations and give each other feedback. This workshop is appropriate for poets at all levels. Suggested offering $20.00. Bring a lunch. Register by Friday, May 5.

WEEKEND ON THE WATER: FISHING RETREAT
May 14-16 1:00 Sunday-3:00 p.m. Tuesday
Facilitator: Julia Walsh, FSPA
Bring your fishing gear and prepare to paddle! This retreat will be a time for quiet reflection upon the beautiful Trout Lake early in the 2017 fishing season. Communal prayer will connect us with Jesus, the fisherman. Call 715-385-3750 by Monday, May 1 to register. $175 for a shared room and all needs. $215 includes a private room in a shared cabin and all needs. Commuters $165. Partial scholarships available.

NOW THE GREEN BLADE RISES: Living in the Spring of the Spirit
May 17 – 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Dick Bruesehoff
It’s Spring! We’re surrounded by lush green colors and extravagant growth. What has been hidden through the Winter is visible everywhere. Life is emerging from the cold, quiet earth. It’s a time when many ask the question “What is growing in me?” We’ll use the work of poets, song-writers, and artists to reflect on what is emerging in us in this season of lavish, rich growth. Suggested offering $10.00. Register by Monday, May 15.

SOCIAL MEDIA, SMART PHONES & THE SPIRIT OF GOD
May 17- Wednesday 2:00-8:00 p.m.
Presenter: Julia Walsh, FSPA
This workshop will explore modern technology and the effects–both positive and negative–media and technology can have on our spiritual lives. We will discuss the social and religious impacts of connecting with God and others through technology and consider how, or whether, to allow technology to be a tool in our prayer. Bring your own device (smart phone, tablet, etc. with Wi-Fi ability) so we can explore particular apps and websites that could enhance our spiritual lives. Bring a dish to pass for our potluck supper, too. $30.00 suggested donation. Call 715-385-3750 by Wednesday, May 10 to register.

DON’T FORGET YOUR VITAMIN P
May 18 – Thursday 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Presenter: Pat Pintens
We all know about the necessary role of vitamins for healthy, strong bodies. We work to ensure we get the vitamin A, B, C, and D we need. But what about Vitamin P? Come explore the role of Vitamin P, prayer and play, in having both healthy spirits and bodies. Suggested offering $10.00. Register by Monday, May 15. CREEK WALKING May 26-Friday – 9:00 a.m.-Noon Presenters: Marla Lang, FSPA & Pat Pintens Bring boots or water shoes and insect protection and join us in spending time with a northern creek. It will be an adventure of listening and looking / seeing in new places. You may discover a new friend as we explore the creek. It may be a poem, a scratch or a splash! We will be walking in a creek near Marywood. Suggested offering $10.00. Register by Tuesday, May 23.

CREEK WALKING
May 26-Friday – 9:00 a.m.-Noon
Presenters: Marla Lang, FSPA & Pat Pintens
Bring boots or water shoes and insect protection and join us in spending time with a northern creek. It will be an adventure of listening and looking / seeing in new places. You may discover a new friend as we explore the creek. It may be a poem, a scratch or a splash! We will be walking in a creek near Marywood. Suggested offering $10.00. Register by Tuesday, May 23.

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