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A discussion group for older (everyone's older than someone!), mostly retired women interested in exploring the gifts, myths, and challenges of growing older.

See below for information about joining a particular group for a specific meeting.  Please attend no more than one group meeting per week so that everyone will have more time for connecting. 

The words for lighting and extinguishing our chalice(s) can be found in a pdf file here.

We will resume in-person meetings at The Community Church of Chapel Hill in when it is safe to do so. Until then, all groups will meet via Zoom - links are given below.

Our new "season" begins the second week in  September  (see the table of Discussion Topics, meeting dates and times that is below).  We will be reading This Chair Rocks - A Manifesto against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite. Discussion questions can be found here.
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Group A (Joann Haggerty, facilitator): 1st and 3rd Mondays, 2-4 pm
The Zoom link for this meeting is here.  All Rare Women are welcome to join. 
The meeting ID is 817 4699 2851 and the passcode is 816112 if you dial in (1-301-715-8592). 

Group B (Bonnie Gilliom, facilitator): 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 10 am - noon
​The Zoom link for this meeting is here.  All Rare Women are welcome to join. 
The meeting ID is 929 2114 7043 and the passcode is 216599 if you dial in (1-301-715-8592). 

Group C (Susan Blanchard, facilitator): 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 pm
​The Zoom link for this meeting is here.  All Rare Women are welcome to join. 
The meeting ID is 833 3606 3112 and the passcode is 187039 if you dial in (1-301-715-8592). 

We are not old.  We are rare!
I Am Not Old

I am not old…she said
I am rare.
I am the standing ovation
At the end of the play.
I am the retrospective
Of my life as art
I am the hours
Connected like dots
Into good sense
I am the fullness
Of existing.
You think I am waiting to die…
But I am waiting to be found
I am a treasure.
I am a map.
And these wrinkles are
Imprints of my journey
Ask me anything.
- Samantha Reynold

meeting attendance

You can attend any one of the three dates listed for each topic, but please attend only one meeting per topic.   Meeting reminders will be sent via email (fill out the form below to be added) from rarewomen@c3huu.org and will also appear in the Weekly Announcements and Newsletter.

Please scroll down to read our Meeting Guidelines since they are very important!

Meetings begin/end with reading chalice lighting/extinguishing words together.  These can be found in a pdf file here.

discussion topics

Meeting guidelines


Before the meeting starts, attendees are encouraged to put on their name tags.
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We will start on time with the lighting of the chalice and will extinguish the chalice 15 minutes before the conclusion of the session so that individuals have a chance to connect.

Each meeting will begin with a 1-minute per person introduction and check-in time.

What is said in our meetings stays in each meeting unless the speaker gives permission to share.

Everybody has a chance to talk once before anyone talks a second time, but no one is required to speak.

Everyone will listen attentively and respectfully  to each speaker without engaging in cross talk with others.

We will pause for a breath or two after each person finishes so that there is time to assimilate what they said before the next person speaks.
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We will use "I" statements to share personal experiences and avoid the temptation to offer advice, lecture, or preach.  We are not here to "fix" anyone.

The group is intended to be helpful in building friendships and being supportive, but it is NOT therapy.

The facilitator is responsible for monitoring the pace to make sure that each person has a chance to share her thoughts on the topic within the time period allotted for the meeting.

    Submit this form to be placed on the email list for rare women.

You can also send email directly to us at rarewomen@c3huu.org or by clicking HERE.
TED talks that might be of interest:
The Secret to Living Longer Might be Your Social Life by Susan Pinker
What Makes A Good Life - Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness by Robert Waldinger
​How to Live to 100+ by Dan Buettner