St. Michael's Church, Litchfield, CT

1.) New Cosmology: An Introduction – Presented by Sr. Rosemarie Greco, DW, Saturday, June 1, 10:30 AM to noon. This month’s topic will be, “The New Cosmology: The Evolving Universe and our New Consciousness.” Introduction, video of “The Journey of the Universe” and discussion. Donation: $10. For more information call Wisdom House at: (860) 567-3163 or email: programs@wisdomhouse.org or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org/program/calendar.html.

2.) Letter By Letter and the Spaces Between – Presented by Davyne Verstandig. Saturday, June 1, 9:30 – 3:00 PM. All writing begins with a letter on a page. If you are interested in having a writing life this is the workshop for you. Bring an open mind and a playful spirit. Fee: $40 (includes lunch) Bring a friend for $25 payable at registration. For more information call Wisdom House at: (860) 567-3163, email: programs@wisdomhouse.org or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org/program/calendar/html.

3.) Ecology and Spirituality Program – Saturday, June 1 2:00-3:00 PM
The care of the earth and its inhabitants calls for a responsible stewardship. What affects our world affects our spirit. The decline of the bee population will be the focus of this program. Donation can be given at the door. For more information call Wisdom House at: (860) 567-3163, email: programs@wisdomhouse.org or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org/program/calendar.html

4.) Requiem For Being: Installation by Cate Bourke. Marie Louise Trichet Art Gallery. Taking bee colony collapse as a point of departure, this exhibit will be a meditation on otherness, ambivalence and disconnectedness. Opening including reception: Saturday, June 1, 3:00-5:00 PM. For more information call Wisdom House at: 860-567-3163, email www.wisdomhouse.org or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org/program/calendar.html.

4.) Labyrinth Walks – Tuesday, June 11 and 18, 9:00-10:30 AM. Introduction, video, labyrinth walk and reflection time. Donation: $5. For more information call Wisdom House at: (860)567-3163, email, programs@wisdomhouse.org or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org/program/calendar/html

5.) The Beguines: Creative Religious Women in a Time of Ferment – Presented by Elizabeth Dreyer, PhD. Saturday, June 22, 9:30 AM – 3 PM. Learn about the beguines, female members of a medieval lay movement, which broke new ground in experimenting with the elements of religious life. Could this be the “new-old” wisdom for today? Fee: $40 (includes lunch). Bring a friend for $25 payable at registration. For more information call Wisdom House at: (860) 567-3163, email: programs@wisdomhouse.org or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org/program.calendar/html.

The Susan B. Anthony Project is sponsoring an event called “Take back the night” to help spread awareness and take a stand against sexual violence. Statistically, 1 in 5 Connecticut residents are sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

You are urged to join as we unite in support of survivors of sexual violence at a gathering in the Arts and Sciences Building on the Northwestern Connecticut Community College campus this coming Tuesday, April 18, at 6:30pm The following displays will be shown in recognition and support of survivors:

Faces of Survival – A photo exhibition of victims/survivors who have chosen to break the silence and their the story of their journey.
The Clothesline Project and White Ribbon Campaign – The Clothesline Project displays T-shirts designed by survivors and the White Ribbon Campaign provides a pledge that men are invited to sign to “never committ, condone or remain silent about violence against women.”

If you have not already purchased a copy of REMEMBER, RETURN, REJOICE Journeying from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday by Jo-Ann Iannotti, Art and Spirituality Coordinator at Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center, you will have that opportunity at this Sunday’s Coffee Hour (March 10) following the 10am service.

Sister Jo-Ann will be present with copies of her newly published book, a compendium of reflection to prepare for the liturgical season of Lent moving into Easter. A poet and photographer, her poetry has appeared in national and international magazines and she has had one-woman photography shows in New York and Connecticut. Sr. Jo-Ann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Mount Saint Mary College and a Master’s degree in Theology from Fordham University. She is a guest preacher in local churches and lectures on the 14th Century English mystic, Julian of Norwich, as well as the inter-relationship between art and spirituality.

Book copies are only $5 and all sale proceeds benefit the Wisdom House in Litchfield. Visit their website for more details and all the wonderful upcoming offerings at Wisdom House. http:///www.wisdomhouse.org

Sister Rosemarie Greco, DW will facilitate a fascinating program at Wisdom House beginning Saturday, April 6, from 10:30am-12noon. The first of two programs about the New Cosmology – what it is and how it awakens us to a new world view – will be the introduction which includes a video of “The Awakening Universe” followed by discussion.

Registration is on the website http:///www.wisdomhouse.org with a suggested donation of $10.

At the Torrington Community Kitchen, volunteers (including a Rota of St. Michael’s members) assist with the food preparation, serving, clean up and weekend coverage.

What the Soup Kitchen needs most now:
INSTANT MASHED POTATOES
PASTA and SAUCE
CANNED VEGGIES and SOUPS OF ANY KIND
COFFEE
ICE TEA MIX
NON-DAIRY CREAMERS
NAPKINS
PAPER TOWELS
BLEACH
MONETARY DONATIONS
GIFT CARDS FROM LOCAL GROCERY STORES INCLUDING BJS

If you wish to make a donation:
Please contact Lisa Hageman at 860-482-0130 or visit the Kitchen at 220 Prospect Street in Torrington.
ALL DONATIONS CAN BE DROPPED OFF FROM 8am-1pm MON- FRI

You can help save the day, and help turn heartbreak into hope . . .by donating blood. Please join in helping to make a difference in your community: your one donation could help save up to three lives!

The closest Blood Drive to Litchfield this March are the following:
Tuesday, March 12, from 1pm-6pm
Board of Education Building
129 Church Street
Bristol, CT

Wednesday, March 6, from 12:30pm-5:30pm
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center
209 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT

Call 800-733-2767 to schedule your appointment!

Winter Sunset in Watercolor with Betsy Rogers-Knox
Sunday, February 3, 2013
1:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
A. B. Ceder Room at White Memorial
Members: $30.00 Non-members: $40.00
Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

Learn to paint a winter sunset in watercolor with internationally celebrated botanical artist Betsy Rogers-Knox. Step-by-step instruction, all levels welcome, ages 12 and up. Supplies included.

A Hospice Volunteer’s Visual Response
Works of Don Cooper
Through February 9, 2013

Using current visual technologies, Don Cooper creates digital illustrations to express his emotional response to his experiences visiting hospice patients.

Marie Louise Trichert Gallery at Wisdom House-Litchfield
Gallery Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“Art is an act of the soul . . . When we are dealing with people’s dreams – their visions, really – we are in the realm of the sacred. We are involved with forces and energies larger than our own. We are engaged in a sacred transaction of which we know only a little. For these reasons, it is mandatory that any gathering of artists be in the spirit of a sacred trust”
– Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way

Cut It Out: The Local History and Practice
of Ice Harvesting
Saturday, January 26, 2013
11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
A. B. Ceder Room at White Memorial
Free…Donations accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.

Ice harvested from Bantam Lake was used for refrigeration throughout the year. Begin in the Museum with a visit to the Ice House display, then head outdoors for a walk down the Lake Trail to visit the old ice house ruins. The program culminates with our own “Cut Ups,” Jeff Greenwood and James Fischer, demonstrating how ice was cut and moved using the same tools and methods. Dress for the weather. We will be walking and standing on Ongley Pond for extended periods of time. Wear warm boots and prepare for wind and sun. Hot beverages and treats will be provided.

Come hear highlights from your favorite
John Williams’ movie scores!

Friday, March 8 at 8 PM
Litchfield Intermediate School, Litchfield

Saturday, March 9 at 8 PM
NVCC Fine Arts Center, Waterbury

Featuring highlights from:
Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T., Schindler’s List (featuring Alyce Cognetta Bertz, violin), Raiders of the Lost Ark and many more!

Have your photo taken with Storm Troopers from the 501st Connecticut Garrison or with members from the Rebel Forces!
(Saturday, March 9 performance only)