Click here to go to Resources for Rare Women.

A discussion group for women interested in exploring the gifts, myths, and challenges of growing older.

All meetings of Rare Women have been switched to Zoom for the foreseeable future.  
​See below for information about joining a particular meeting.  Please attend no more than group meeting per week so that everyone will have more time for connecting.
​Wash your hands and stay well!

Note: Our Zoom meetings are now password protected.  The passwords are sent out to all members of the Rare Women email list.  Contact rarewomen@c3huu.org if you want to be added to our email list.

On May 28th (Bonnie's group) will be discussing: 
What have I learned about myself during the pandemic?

If you want to dial in, call 1-253-215-8782. 
You will need to enter the meeting ID and the password .  

For connecting with video and audio:

Group A: First Mondays, 2-4 pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/145170570
​​Meeting ID: 145 170 570
Group A will be discussing the 1918 pandemic and lessons learned on June 8th.

Group A: Third Mondays, 2-4 pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/780419431
​Meeting ID: 780 419 431

Every Thursday, 10 am - noon led by Bonnie Gilliom
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/404314189
Meeting ID: 404 314 189


Group C: Every Thursday, 1:30-3:30 pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/486172652
​Meeting ID: 486 172 652
This group will have an open discussion at each summer meeting.

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

​​Note: These instructions will apply again once we can begin having in person meetings at the church  The Meeting guidelines still apply for Zoom meetings.  
You can attend any one of the three dates listed for each topic, but please attend only one meeting per topic.   All meetings will be held in the Sanctuary.  Please enter by the single outside door nearest to the circular parking area since there will be other groups meeting in the Commons Area during some Rare Women meetings.   Please do NOT park in the large lot since those spaces are rented out during the week.  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!

discussion topics

resources and suggestions will be sent out for each topic.

Meeting guidelines

Before the meeting starts, attendees are encouraged to put on their name tags.
​
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 crosstalk 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.
​
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.

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