Wisdom Circles
Sage-ing® International Wisdom Circles
Wisdom Circles – What Are They?
“In Wisdom Circles we create ‘soul friends’, that is, one who looks into the heart of the other, sees their inner light and wants to support the radiance that is trying to grow there.” Randy Morris.
Wisdom Circles (WC) are small community gatherings of like-minded elders where we:
- what is meaningful to us on the journey from aging to sage-ing®
- look at the challenges and joys of aging
- explore the changing role of elders in our society
- experience a safe, respectful place to explore our feelings about becoming older
- learn ways to become a wise elder
They are often created based on common interests or on prior participation in Sage-ing® classes or workshops. Some share the leadership within the group, although there is commonly one person who handles the administrative tasks, e.g., maintaining a contact list of participants.
A strong bond often forms between participants. Many have been meeting regularly, from 5 to 25 years. Here are some of their comments:
- hearing people’s experiences of wisdom and conscious ageing – is special and sacred
- talking about topics that we don’t talk about with family and friends
- connecting with fellow elders and learning from each other
- an opportunity to go deep, to learn about ourselves
You may be interested in these ideas for Wisdom Circle topics, submitted by Wisdom Circle leaders.
Where Can I Join One?
If you are interested in joining an existing Wisdom Circle (WC) please contact us at: wisdomcircle@sage-ing.org.
How Can I create My Own Wisdom Circle?
if you wish to create your own Wisdom Circle, we can assist you in this endeavor. You may find the following information useful:
“Wisdom Circle Guide” A comprehensive guide describing the creation and operation of a Wisdom Circle.
Any Questions: please contact us at wisdomcircle@sage-ing.org if you have any questions or need assistance in creating your own Wisdom Circle.
Training/Orientation:
We are in the process of creating a training/orientation workshop for new Wisdom Circle Leaders. If interested in being in one, please contact us at: wisdomcircle@sage-ing.org.
You can view our list of current Wisdom Circles below.
- Sao Paulo (6 groups)
- For information, contact the coordinators of the various groups ( Magdalena Boog, Maria de Lourdes Hübner, Luciana Damino (three groups), Ana Szutan and Esther Amarante). For more information, in Portuguese, click here.
- Calgary, AB
- For information, contact Judy Steiert, the coordinator of the group.
- Campbell River, BC
- For information, contact Murray Etty, the coordinator of the group.
- Kelowna, BC
- For more information, contact Diane Hockey, the coordinator of the group.
- Toronto, ON
- For more information, contact Jean Marie Suchora, the coordinator of the group.
- Victoria, BC
- For information, contact Nancy Gray Hemstock, the coordinator of the group.
South Africa
- Capetown (3 groups)
- For information, contact Grace Smith, the coordinator of the group.
- Flagstaff
- For information, contact Barbara Shovers, the coordinator of the group.
- Mesa
- For information, contact Marjorie Wingfield, the coordinator of the group.
- Oro Valley
- For information, contact Margaret Dykinga, the coordinator of the groups.
- Phoenix and Tucson (9 Circles)
- For information, contact Margaret Dykinga, the coordinator of the groups.
- Scottsdale
- For information, contact Ellen Engel, the coordinator of the group.
- Sun Lakes
- For information, contact Ellen Engel, the coordinator of the group.
- Tucson
- For information, contact Catherine Estar, the coordinator of the group.
California
- Davis (multiple groups)
- For information, contact Mary Anne Ingenthron, the coordinator of the group.
- Sonoma
- For information, contact Gary Hermes, the coordinator of the group.
Colorado
- Denver
- For information, contact Barbara Warner, the coordinator of the group.
Florida
- Winter Haven
- For information, contact Chuck Warren, the coordinator of the group.
- Boca Raton
- For information, contact Deborah Briggs, the coordinator of the group.
Georgia
- Atlanta
- For information, contact Karl Gustafson, the coordinator of the group.
Indiana
- Indianapolis (3 groups)
- For information, contact Alan Rider, the coordinator of the group.
- For information, contact Georgeanna Tryban, the coordinator of the group
- For information, contact Darren Chittick, the coordinator for the group
- Columbus
- For information, contact Alan Rider, the coordinator of the group.
Kansas
- Kansas City
- For information, contact Cindy Siemers, the coordinator of the group.
Massachusetts
- Weston
- For information, contact Meg Newhouse, the coordinator of the group.
- Brookline
- For information, contact Dorian Mintzer, the coordinator of the group.
Maryland
- Chevy Chase
- For information, contact Charlotte Jones Carroll, the coordinator of the group.
Maine
- Scarborough (greater Portland area)
- For information, contact Anne Murray, the coordinator of the group.
Michigan
- Ann Arbor
- For information, contact Sandra Berman, the coordinator of the group.
- Detroit
- For information, contact Bernadette Durkin, the coordinator of the group.
Nebraska
- Omaha
- For information, contact Nancy Hemesath, the coordinator of the group.
New Hampshire
- Greenland
- For information, contact Pat Hoertdoerfer, the coordinator of the group.
New Mexico
- Albuquerque (2 groups)
- For information, contact Viola Morris, the coordinator of the group
- For information, contact Jerilyn Bowen, the coordinator of the group
- Los Alamos
- For information, contact Robert and Susan Benjamin, the coordinator of the group.
New York
- Katonah
- For information, contact Jerome Kerner, the coordinator of the group.
- New York, NY
- For information, contact Deborah Briggs, the coordinator of the group.
North Carolina
- Charlotte (Aldersgate)
- For information, contact Lyndall Hare, the coordinator of the group.
Oregon
- Portland
- For information, contact David Rozell, the coordinator of the group.
Tennessee
- Chattanooga
- For information, contact Judy Pedersen-Benn, the coordinator of the group.
Texas
- Tomball (near Houston)
- For information, contact Terry Seufert, the coordinator of the group.
Washington
- Seattle
- For information, contact Carol Scott Kassner, the coordinator of the group.
Virtual Wisdom Circle Monthly Schedules
1) 1st Mon, 9 am ET Jerome Kerner (j.kerner@sage-ing.org)
2) 2nd Sat, 2 pm MT Gary Carlson (cannmgary@gmail.com)
3) 3rd Thurs, 9 am ET Beverly Flanagan (b.flanagan@sage-ing.org)
4) 3rd Fri, 1 pm CT Al Rider (a.rider@sage-ing.org)
Elder Inspired Events
We offer a wide range of high quality of teachings
We offer a range of workshops and webinars in a range of subject areas and can offer blended learning opportunities to best meet your needs. If sitting in the comfort of your home and having the opportunity for discussion with other learners sounds good to you then we can offer this.
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