ECC EVENTS 2005

Some details are shown below. Further details, and booking
forms, are on the website www.edwardcarpentercommunity.org.uk . Some details
of costs are given below; further details on website.

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LA GOMERA, 13-20 May 2005 (one space left)
Cost: see website.

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SPIRITUALITY AND INTIMACY

Laurieston Hall, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
1 week, 4th - 11th June 2005

This Gay Men’s Week encourages us to explore the way in which our inner
spiritual identity is fully reflected in our everyday behaviour through
sexual expression, relationships with others, and living in the world. To
what extent are the different layers of our lives integrated and congruent
with our deeper sense of "who we are in the world".

The programme will include a range of workshops that balance (a) practical
and active workshops, such as dance, touch and intimacy, ritual, breathwork,
and massage, and (b) more reflective and passive workshops involving
discussion, exploration, life histories, thinking and sharing, etc. One day
will be spent in silence to deepen our non-verbal communication with others.
There will be a sacred space for consciousness activities, and several
structures for supporting men to create the sense of safety and trust
necessary to engage in activities that might be perceived as risky. We
anticipate that no more than half to two-thirds of the week will be
programmed at the start, leaving plenty of space for men to offer their own
related workshops.

Cost: see website, summary below.

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'TRADITIONAL' GAY MEN'S WEEK

Laurieston Hall, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
1 week, 17th - 24th August

for about 60 men.

What do we mean by a 'traditional' week? Well, we anticipate having an
opening gathering for everyone to meet at the start of the week and another
to round the week off at the end.

We also expect to offer small groups of 6 or so to meet daily, where we can
feed back and support each other in confidence, known as base groups, and
daily meetings, held by the organisers, open to all to attend and take part;
a well tested formula for personal growth, exploration and enjoyment as a
community.

The traditional week is laid back, open, relaxing, with swimming,
meditation, circle and highland dancing; and a cabaret. Workshops are
presented on diverse topics from poetry and life drawing to gay films. You
can pick what you want or run a workshop yourself on whatever topic you
choose to offer.

The organisers will get the week started, but it is then up to everyone to
make of it what they will, and continue this tradition of personal growth,
art, expression and enjoyment.

Cost: break even cost is £200; please pay what you think is appropriate for
you.

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WOUNDED HEALER

Laurieston Hall, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
1 week, 3rd - 10th September

The week has three interwoven strands of narrative, creativity and spiritual
practice offering the possibility of transformation and growth. It will aim
to embrace the spirituality of each man, and through the creation of
community make a safe space in which to explore our vulnerabilities and
fears.

This event is for between 25 and 30 men - and you do not need to be in any
sense a therapist to take art. We not only accept that we are all wounded,
but that we all have the ability to heal. During the week, we expect to find
wounds that are both unique to ourselves and collective to our queer
community.

Central to the week is the sharing of our personal stories - being witnessed
and honoured for the divinity inherent in our humanity. We intend to accept
and affirm those hidden parts of us that are essential to healing and
wholeness, including our sacred sexuality. Through connection in community
we shall reveal some of the magic, power and joy that is released when we
find permission to be our full selves.

Most mornings will be based around meditation, movement and healing touch.
Workshops may include energy healing, dream-sharing, painting, mask-making,
creative writing and rebirthing (conscious breathwork). There will be space
for participants to offer additional workshops, plus unstructured time in
the afternoon to enjoy Laurieston.

Cost: see website, summary below.

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GAY MEN'S WEEK

High Close, Langdale, Cumbria
1 week, 17th - 24th September

As in the past, we return to High Close for this regular and now well
established event in the ECC calendar.

High Close Youth Hostel is set in a quiet hillside in the beautiful Langdale
Valley, yet within easy reach of Ambleside and Grasmere, where Wordsworth
lived for many years at Dove Cottage. The area offers excellent walking in
stunning scenery, from easy afternoon strolls to energetic all-day mountain
hikes, and nearby Loughrigg Tarn offers exhilarating outdoor swimming.

We take over the Hostel for the week and it becomes our space. We have
exclusive use of the large rambling building with its large dining room, and
workshop spaces, secluded garden and veranda with wide views towards Lake
Windermere. Sleeping accommodation is in bunk beds in rooms ranging in size
from four beds to twelve, and with many more beds than people there is
plenty of room to spread out. All meals are prepared for us by the Hostel
staff, with whom we have built up an excellent working relationship over the
years - they always look forward to our visit!

What will happen at High Close? We normally organise a boat trip on one of
the Lakes. There will almost definitely be a cabaret on the Thursday night,
and there will be support groups to help us share the challenges and joys of
being a community of fifty gay men. Someone usually organises a mountain
hike, so bring your gear if you fancy that. Otherwise the time is ours to
relax, meditate, attend (or even run) a workshop or two, sing, dance, walk,
swim or just take in the beautiful scenery. Above all, we hope the week will
be relaxed, informal, friendly and fun.

Cost: see website, summary below.

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LIVING IN COMMUNITY

Four Winds Centre, Dockenfield, Surrey
9 days, 11th - 20th November

An experimental Event at Four Winds Centre from Friday 11th to Sunday 20th
November 2005

Would you like to try living in community for a week with other guys from
the ECC? Here is your opportunity to try it out.

We will live together, going off to work during the week (for those who wish
to do so) and returning in the evenings. For those working in London, Four
Winds is about 1hr 15 mins from Waterloo. You can find the location of Four
Winds using Multimap and the postcode GU10 4HE

Cost: break even cost is £350; please pay what you think is appropriate for
you.

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NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Wasdale, Wastwater, Cumbria
1 week, 29th December 2005 - 5th January 2006

It is intended to celebrate the New Year in Wasdale from the 29th December
to the 5th January, similar to last year, but the details are not yet
available, and will be published later.

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SLIDING SCALE COSTS SUMMARY for "Spirituality & Intimacy" and "Wounded
Healer" events at Laurieston Hall (LH) and High Close (HC):

Income per year before tax : Cost LH : Cost HC

up to £4,999 : £110 : £130
£5,000-£7,999 : £150 : £170
£8,000-£10,999 : £185 : £210
£11,000-£13,999 : £220 : £250
£14,000-£16,999 : £250 : £280
£17,000-£19,999 : £275 : £310
£20,000-£22,999 : £290 : £325
£23,000 or more : £300 : £335



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