Calendar of Events
F = Full Fee
C = Concession
MF = Members Full Fee
MC = Members Concession
Sophia offers courses and workshops on a wide range of topics - spiritual, environmental, creative and supportive, including feminist spirituality & theologies, retreat days, the Enneagram, Yoga, art and literature.
Enneagram Studies at Sophia:
Beginning the Enneagram Journey and Wings and Arrows and Other Things, the two introductory workshops to the Enneagram, will be held as needed. Please contact Sophia or Penny Cahalan (pacahalan@hotmail.com) if you are interested in attending these workshops, and times will be arranged.
Enneagram Courses at Sophia are dedicated to the late Margaret Cain OP.
February March April May June July
August September October November
FEBRUARY
Sophia Opening Ritual 043
Angela Moloney & Fiona Johnston
You are invited to honour Sophia Spirit to begin our new year together.
Wednesday 1/2, 5.30pm-7.30pm
Cost: Gold coins
Women, men & children.
MARCH
The Cook, the Thief, the Dancer: Meeting the Women in Mark 339
Why did the widow put her last coin into the temple coffers? Starting with the lived experiences of the participants, we will critically engage three biblical texts and meet women who will delight and disturb us.
Friday 16/3, 23/3, 30/3, 1.00pm-3.30pm
Cost: F$55, C$50, MF$49.50, MC$45
Women & men
Beauty & Joy 367
Janet Schwarz
A reflective retreat to restore your energy. Build up your inner connection with the qualities from Mother Mary and your own Inner Presence (soul). Learn various techniques to ground them into your everyday life. Bring rug, favourite drawing equipment and wear comfortable clothing. Bring something healthy for afternoon tea.
Sunday 18/3, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women
Music for the Imagination 352
Brenda Wallace
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), uses classical music, relaxation and mandala drawing in a multi-modal sensory experience that facilitates personal growth and healing. This full day workshop will introduce participants to GIM by focusing on the senses. We will explore using the imagination and the senses as a means of integrating body, mind and spirit. The day will include poetry, mandala drawing, movement and meditation with music that prompts and supports the imagination and the senses. Participants will need to bring crayons/pastels, drawing paper and a mat and rug for the relaxation. Bring lunch to share.
Thursday 22/3, 10.00am-4.00pm
Cost: F$45, C$35, MF$40.50, MC$31.50
Women & men
An Autumn Contemplation 359
Many Australian plants have their growth spurts in autumn, and there is an air of abundance and completion after the summer heat. Spend time in the tranquility of the gardens, enjoying and contemplating this fullness in the silent wisdom of your heart.
Saturday 24/3, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women & men
Singing Workshop 370
Glenyce Durdin
If you enjoyed the Singing workshop on our 2011 Open Day then there is more... Glenyce Durdin is running three community singing workshops. Bring your friends for an enjoyable two hours of melody and harmony making.
Friday 30/3, 7.00pm-9.00pm
Cost: $5
Women & men
APRIL
Words on the Wind from Invisible People 358
lPauline Small
Based on the DVD 'Our Generation' which shows the impact of the NT Intervention, especially on remote Aboriginal communities. We will workshop our responses to the issues. DVD narrated by Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, a Yolgnu Aboriginal elder and Christian pastor.
Thursday, 12/4, 19/4, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Cost: F$50, C$40, MF$45, MC$36
Women & men
Courage & Strength 368
Janet Schwarz
A retreat working with the energies of the goddess Tara and your own Inner Presence (soul) and building up your inner connection with the qualities of strength and courage. Learn different techniques to ground them into your everyday life. Bring rug, favourite drawing equipment and wear comfortable clothing. Bring something healthy for afternoon tea.
Sunday, 22/4, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women
Enneagram & the Hero's Journey- Pt 2 323
Penny Cahalan
Continuing the theme of the hero’s journey we will walk the Enneagram looking at the power of the movement between the points (arrows and wings) as holding the keys to transformation. For those who have studied the Enneagram. Open to 12 participants.
Monday 23/4, 30/4, 7/5, 14/5, 7.00pm-9.00pm
Cost: F$60, C$45, MF$54, MC$40.50
Women & men
MAY
Women's Experiences Shaping God-Talk 362
Angela Moloney
This is an introductory course for women who are curious to know how/why God-Talk that begins with women's lived experiences, results in fresh, life-giving ways of knowing Divinity and our world. This is liberating knowledge!
Thursday 3/5, 10/5, 24/5, 31/5, 10.00am-12.30pm
Cost: F$55, C$45, MF$49.50, MC$40.50
Women
Silence, Peace & Purpose 369
Janet Schwarz
A retreat working with the combined energies of the goddess Kwan Yin and your own Inner Presence (soul) to build up your inner connection with the qualities of silence, peace and purpose. Learn techniques to ground them into your everyday life. Bring rug, favourite drawing equipment and wear comfortable clothing. Bring something healthy for afternoon tea.
Sunday 13/5, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women
Time: 'Joy & Terror' 354
We are each a tiny blip on the vast extent of time's inescapable and continuous flow. How do humans deal with time? A gentle wander around literature and science on this topic.
Saturday 26/5, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women
JUNE
Illuminated Manuscripts- Awakening Wonder 350
A meditative day with medieval art and music. Explore the cultural and historical contents of the Book of Kells, The Book of Hours and the Lindisfarne Gospels. Bring in your own favourite text to create your own illuminated manuscript. Bring lunch to share.
Saturday 2/6, 10.00am-3.30pm
Cost: F$45, C$35, MF$40.50, MC$31.50
Women & men
Singing Workshop 370
Glenyce Durdin
If you enjoyed the Singing workshop on our 2011 Open Day then there is more... Glenyce Durdin is running three community singing workshops. Bring your friends for an enjoyable two hours of melody and harmony making.
Sunday 3/6, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Cost: $5
Women & men
Anne Roder Memorial Lecture- Rev Dr Margaret Mayman 254
Why are feminist liberation theologies very relevant for us and our world now?
Thursday 7/6, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Cost: F$20, C$15, MF$18, MC$13.50
Women & men
Rose of the World Labyrinth Walk 346
Lucy Crawford
This is a unique five spiral labyrinth within a sacred mandorla. Join our beautiful midwinter candlelit walking of the labyrinth, a contemplative journey with mystical sound and sacred verse, with some heart warming midwinter songs, cosy and warm within Sophia's sacred space.
Friday 15/6, 6.00pm-9.00pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women & men
Spirit at Play 357
Trish Fairley & Peter Lee
Bring your body and playful spirit to this day of fun, lightness and ease. Through movement, voice, story-telling and stillness we will use the improvisational tools of InterPlay to provide us with an opportunity to find connection and grace. Bring lunch to share.
Sunday 17/6, 10.00am-4.30pm
Cost: F$50, C$40, MF$45, MC$36
Women & men
A Winter Contemplation 364
This afternoon will include a meditation on the healing 'cuppa' so often shared. In the quietness of the winter, we can attend to those hints of what may be about to unfold, and where there may be some pruning necessary.
Saturday 23/, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women & men
JULY
NAIDOC Week
(National Aboriginal & Islander Observance Committee)
1st-8th July
Sophia's Fundraising Dinner 340
A catered dinner to celebrate Sophia's 'coming of age'! This will be our major fundraising project, and a fabulous occasion to celebrate and feast together.
Watch newsletter, website and emails for further details, or phone Sophia periodically.
Saturday 28/7, 6.00pm-9.30pm
Women & men
AUGUST
Ageing with Grace 360
A reflective workshop on getting older, where 'women of a certain age' can share their experiences of the graces of getting older. We will bring to each other the facts, freedoms, regrets, joys, issues, losses, reliefs, fears and celebrations. Soup and roll included. (advise of any dietary requirements when booking).
Thursday 2/8, 12.00pm-3.00pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18.00
Women
Enneagram & the Hero's Journey 319
Penny Cahalan
Campbell calls the hero’s journey the monomyth. The movement around the Enneagram illuminates our own hero’s journey, for where we are on the wheel is as important as our type description. We will examine the Enneagram as a dynamic process for change. For those who’ve studied the Enneagram. Open to 12 participants.
Monday 27/8, 3/9, 10/9, 24/9, 7.00pm-9.00pm
Cost: F$60, C$45, MF$54, MC$40.50
Women & men
SEPTEMBER
A Spring Contemplation 365
Spring brings budding and shooting, birdsong and scents that awaken and excite our being. Come and let your heart respond to this renewal all around us.
Saturday 1/9, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women & men
Margaret Cain Memorial Fund 161
Come to Afternoon Tea and raise money for Indigenous Education whilst enjoying each other's company.
Sunday 2/9, 3.00pm-4.30pm
Cost: $10
Dru Yoga to Replenish Body, Mind & Spirit 154
Lena Lapinska & Jane Bennett
Take time to escape the fast pace of modern living, and re-balance yourself - body, mind and spirit with Dru Yoga. Enjoy a nurturing day with gentle movement, long relaxation, easy meditation and revitalising body therapy. No experience necessary. Bring water, a mat & blanket. Bring lunch to share.
Saturday 8/, 9 10.00am-3.00pm
Cost: F$60, C$50, MF$54.00, MC$45.00
Women & men
Patrick White: The Aunt's Story 355
This Titan among Australian writers changed us, but do we still read him? Explore his gifts to us in this short but powerful novel. An introduction followed by discussion. Please read the book beforehand.
Tuesday 11/9, 1.30pm-3.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18.00
Women
OCTOBER
Music for the Imagination 352
Brenda Wallace
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), uses classical music, relaxation and mandala drawing in a multi-modal sensory experience that facilitates personal growth and healing. This full day workshop will introduce participants to GIM by focusing on the senses. We will explore using the imagination and the senses as a means of integrating body, mind and spirit. The day will include poetry, mandala drawing, movement and meditation with music that prompts and supports the imagination and the senses. Participants will need to bring crayons/pastels, drawing paper and a mat and rug for the relaxation. Bring lunch to share.
Thursday 4/10, 10.00am-4.00pm
Cost: F$45, C$35, MF$40.50, MC$31.50
Women & men
Festival of Feminist Liberation Theologies 156
Dedicated to the memory of Susan Sullivan OP
Speakers to be announced.
We will hear the voices of women who study and work from a feminist perspective. While sharing their innovative work they will affirm us in ways of living that help build personal, communal and societal strength and peace.
Saturday 6/10, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18.00, Students $10
Women
The Leaf is Singing Still- Mary Oliver 356
Spend an afternoon exploring with this inspiring poet. In 2010, aged 74, Mary Oliver wrote: "The song you heard singing in the leaf when you were a child is singing still." Share the singing!
Thursday 11/10, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC18.00
Women
Meeting Sophia/Wisdom 363
Angela Moloney & Fiona Johnston
Sophia is a significant symbol of Divinity in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures and beyond them. Above all She is relational. We can meet her in the nature world, in ourselves and everywhere in our daily lives. Come explore Sophia's presence in our world.
Thursday 25/10, 1/11, 10.00am-12.30pm
Cost: F$35, C$30, MF$31.50, MC$27
Women
Letting Go, Receiving & Letting Be 351
We will explore the wisdom of spiritual traditions and focus on the 'via negativa', the pathway of deprivation and suffering that leads eventually to creative transformation. There will be an opportunity to meditate in stillness and silence, through art, walking and creative visualisation. Bring lunch to share.
Friday 26/10, 10.00am-3.30pm
Cost: F$45, C$35, MF$40.50, MC$31.50
Women & men
Sacred Space & Ancient Mysteries 361
Lucy Crawford
The creation of sacred space in ancient time involved spiritual knowledge of the alchemical fusion of earthly and celestial forces. It also involved knowledge of how human consciousness inscribes memory into place. We can use the same principles to create sacred spaces in our lives, and to create a "communing-unity" with all life. The presentation explores ancient mysteries and contemporary themes, including sacred sounds and contemplation of the sacred.
Saturday 27/10, 2.00pm-5.00pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women & men
NOVEMBER
Singing Workshop
Glenyce Durdin
If you enjoyed the Singing workshop on our 2011 Open Day then there is more... Glenyce Durdin is running three community singing workshops. Bring your friends for an enjoyable two hours of melody and harmony making.
Saturday 10/11, 2.00pm-4.00pm
Cost: $5
Women & men
DECEMBER
A Summer Contemplation 366
Sun on the body and in the heart; shade for sitting. Time out to reestablish our own roots and centre as life speeds up towards the end of the year. A chance to gather up the year just gone and let its meaning unfold.
Saturday 1/12, 1.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: F$25, C$20, MF$22.50, MC$18
Women & men
Sophia Celebrates!
It is our tradition to gather in December to celebrate our time together during the year. Come and celebrate with us! Bring food and drink to share.
Friday 14/12, 6.00pm-8.00pm
Gold coins
Women, men & children