Hi All,
March is blustery in
Flagstaff
, and it is finally snowing. Because we have not developed a "formal" Further Shore/Wayne's
House newsletter, I am sending the first quarterly report in this format. May everyone
enjoy the opening buds, new beginnings and gentle endings that this season provides.
Spring Calendar
If you would like to schedule
a program at
Wayne
's House with your family or with a group, here are dates available this spring:
Due to conditional use restrictions and my travel schedule, these are the only dates
available this spring. In the month of April, May and June some dates fall
on holidays (Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day). I am aware that these are special
times of celebrating God, home and family. If you are guided to
Wayne
's House during these timings, I am willing to serve. I consider this part of my
ministry and divine calling. The options for programs currently are Gentle Transitions
(24 hours beginning on a Friday or a Saturday) or Saving Grace (48 hours beginning
on Friday).
If
you wish to be a part of a group, please email your name, phone number and the date
you would like to attend. Please do not let financial challenges stop you for requesting
a program. Sliding fee scale is available as are sponsors. If you would like to
sponsor someone's visit, please let us know that as well.
March 25 – 26; April 14-16 ; April 21-23; April 28-30;
May 5-7; May 12-14; June 9-11; June 16-18
Program
Update
In order to get the ball
rolling with Programs, our Board suggested retreats for diverse groups of people
in transition. In January and February we did just that through three Gentle
Transitions Programs. Each participant shared about a current, past, or future transition.
The work flowed into lessons about how we meet our changes,
grieve, and grow. The result is a life lived with less fear, and more
peace about dying. The format included education about specific healing modalities,
hospice philosophy, art therapy, meditation, time in nature, reflection and talking
circles. The 11 people (9 board members and 2 guests) in attendance had this to
say:
-
"This is something
that everyone needs to go through to graduate as an adult. I have a whole new framework
for looking at loss and grief."
- "Excellent, rewarding opportunity for
transitions of any kind. How support, sharing and love can heal - so profoundly"
-
"I learned that
goal setting is important and also to share from the heart. Thank you!"
-
"I felt incredibly
cared for and open here; a touching weekend that opened avenues I didn't even realize
were there!"
-
"This space truly
became both sacred and a safe house; a home. I felt we were a family of kindred
spirits"
-
"I learned to be
more relaxed and less fearful. A wonderful experience. I feel very blessed."
-
"The need for
this facility and programs of this sort exist on so many levels; for so many people.
The FS crew is bringing experience, compassion and radiance to the guests at
Wayne
's House - truly a place of healing."
Wayne
's House - Update
The driveways have been
improved with new cinder, double diamond shades have been installed and two wonderful
new quilts are now ready for the Wolf Bedroom thanks to Merry Byrd and other quilters.
Peter and Robert had a work day in February and hooked up the washer/dryer, repaired
the bathroom door, put a jacket on the hot water heater, and got rid of some yard
trash. The place looks so beautiful. It is warm and welcoming.
On January 21st as I was bringing in supplies for the first ever retreat, I met
our new neighbors, Lorna and James and their two very happy dogs. We had a short
chat in the upper drive on Oraibi. They told me they know about Further Shore and
they "think it is WONDERFUL" They also invited me to call on them if we have needs
during programs and hope to get to know me and Robert. We feel very blessed by this.
Client
Update
To date,
Further Shore
has had one client referral from a major agency. This client, who is facing a similar
situation to the one
Wayne
faced, was grateful for a private consultation last week in the
Phoenix
area. I was able to provide emotional support and information about building a support
team for this kind of cancer. In case anyone is wondering, I am open to private
consultations either in person or by phone. I have some of you listed as resources
and adjunct faculty. If you have a service that may be useful for clients, please
let me know.
Community
Update
Our board members have been
busy as bees to get the word out there about
Wayne
's House. Several visits have been made in our local community by Lori Wood-Thomas,
Penny Cook and Kelly Carruthers. Further Shore recently joined the Resource Action
Network of Northern Arizona (RANNA) and the Non-profit Resource Center (NPRC). I
made a presentation at the American Cancer Society in
Phoenix
, the local VFW, Olivia White Hospice House, and the
Cancer
Center
in
Flagstaff
. We are also scheduled to have a table at the Senior Health and Fitness day on
May 31st - The Radisson Hotel.
The Twilight Brigade Compassion in Action training will be held March 17, 18 and
19 at the
Inn
at NAU. Thanks to Grace Marks and Danna Carson for organizing this event. Hope to
see many of you there.
Web Site Update
Kudos to Robert for his
work on the beautiful
Further Shore
website. He will be adding beautiful photos and more information during the spring
quarter. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE A LINK THAT YOU THINK WOULD BENEFIT OUR
READERS! Contact: Robert@furthershore.org
Financial
Update
As of
March 1, 2006
we raised $1200 in donations and program
related fees. Minimal monthly costs are $2000 (rent, utilities, insurance, staff,
and other line items). You can help to sponsor someone in need to attend a program!
Donations are welcome at
Further Shore
,
P. O. Box 23518, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
or via Paypal on the web at www.furthershore.org
An idea for a
wonderful fund raiser is bubbling forth. Hold the date for
October 28, 2006
. The idea is basically to have a party that people pay to come to (that is the
fund raising part) - a special evening of remembering and celebrating loved ones
passed on. I see colorful flowers, photos, food, drink, dancing and storytelling.
We will look for donations of space, time, entertainment, silent auction items,
food etc.! The timing is just prior to the annual Mexican celebration Dia de los
Muertes that occurs on November 1 and 2 each year. If there is anyone in our local
Hispanic or Latino community who would like to help plan the event, we would be
grateful!
Dedications
Our web site will soon have
a place for dedications. If you would like to have your loved one mentioned in the
Summer Newsletter, please email us at Aleia@furthershore.org. For this newsletter,
I offer a dedication and ask a prayer in loving memory and in honor of Sonny, loving
wolf-dog; John, special friend of several FS board members and Chris, a beloved
friend of artist, Judith Nelson. Judy has painted an amazing picture of Chris (attached).
Must See
Movies
If you have a movie you
feel speaks to our mission, please send us a review! This quarter's pic is What
Dreams May Come. Robin Williams, Annabella Sciorra and Cuba Gooding Jr. star in
this amazing story of soulmates, love, life, death, and the after life. You will
not be disappointed by its incredible message. Colorful, spiritual and beautiful!
Gratitude
Special thanks to the
Divine in all our lives and for all our prayers
of hope, love and compassion.
Special thanks to our Board and Advisors
for all they do!
Special thanks to Peter Klein for the large
salt lamp for
Wayne
's House!
Special thanks to Matt the Blind Guy for
a discount on the shades for
Wayne
's House!
Special thanks to Lhesli Dove
for making the first Pay Pal donation!
Special Thanks to Eleanor for this beautiful
poem:
Leaving
When I must leave you for a little while,
please do not grieve and shed wild tears
and hug your sorrow to your through the years,
But start out bravely with a gallant smile;
and for my sake and in my name
Live on and do all things the same.
Feed not your loneliness in empty days,
but fill each waking hour in useful ways
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
and I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
and never, never be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you in the sky!
By Helen Steiner Rice