logo created by Heather Cramer
WomenCircle Programs for 2023
- Sign up in advance!!! (Note: TBD = To Be Decided)
WomenCircle events are held monthly, some outdoors, some indoors at church, and other places, and some on Zoom. Please note each month is a little different. Please stay tuned to the announcements to see latest news. WomenCircle Mask policy for indoor events is in accordance with the church policy. (Please talk to coordinators about any questions or concerns you may have, as policy changes over time.)
If you want to participate in any of these WomenCircle events, you will need to sign up in advance. These events are all listed in monthly newsletters and weekly announcements with a contact person’s name. Attendance will be limited for most events. Sign ups will be on a first come, first serve basis. We look forward to having you join us.
Saturday, January 14, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. via Zoom: Joyful Living after Sixty
Coordinators: Steevie Parks and Jody Savage
Monday February 27, 7:00 p.m.: Straley Room: Beading and Goddesses
Coordinators: Ruth Gibson and Nancy Mayer
Thursday, March 23, 7:00 p.m.: Jazz Music at Duke Chapel; Dinner beforehand -at the Brodhead Center;
optional carpool from church at 4:45 PM
Coordinators: Bonnie Gilliam and Joan O’Brien
Wednesday, April 19, Meet up time TBD : Tour Nasher Museum and lunch
Coordinators: Ivy Brezina and Lisa Epner
Saturday May 20 for the Outdoor Potluck picnic. Place TBD
Coordinators: Sindy Barker and Marni Goldshlag
Friday June 23, 3:00-5:00: Pool Party at the Gillioms.
Rain date: Saturday June 24- 3-5 PM.
Coordinators: Bonnie Gilliom and Kathy Putnam
Saturday July 8, Departure Time TBD: Tubing on the Dan River
Coordinators: Sindy Barker and Ruth Gibson
Saturday, July 22, 9:00 a.m.: Boating on University Lake and picnic lunch
Coordinators: Joann Haggerty and Kathy Putnam
Saturday August 26, 10 AM : via Zoom or in person TBD: Tai Chi
Coordinators: Judy Lechner and Peggy Dorfman Chandler
Saturday September 30, 2 pm: Creating a Collaborative Abstract - At Church,
Outside on back patio of new building.
Coordinators: Steevie Parks and Jody Savage
Thursday, October 12, 12:00: noon Lunch and River Walk in Hillsborough.
Coordinators: Ivy Brezina and Linda Thompson
Sunday Nov 12, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Play Reading: Spoon River - at Church
Coordinators: Jody Savage, Marni Goldshlag, and Kathy Putnam
Friday Dec 8, 9:30 a.m. - Annual WomenCircle Planning for 2024 meeting. In person at church
Gathering Room - New Building.
Coordinators: Joann Haggerty and Sindy Barker
Have questions about a particular event?
Use the Contact Us! button at the top of this page.
WomenCircle Planners - 2023
- 2023 Planners
- Front row: Sindy Barker, Maris Abernathy, Nancy Meyer, Jody Savage, SAM Brooks;
- Back row: Joan Garnett, Linda Thompson, Ruth Gibson, Ivy Brezina, LIsa Epner, Joann Haggerty
Missing from photo are: Marni Goldshlag, Bonnie Gilliom, Steevie Jane Parks
Here’s what our planners have liked most about WomenCircle:
• A circle of interesting and supportive welcoming friends who care about the church and each other
• I see/feel accepted… sisterhood
• Women’s community of caring, sharing and laughter
• Fellowship with kindred spirits
• The gathering together of some of the most enjoyable women I’ve ever met
• The Women! Hearing each others’ stories, getting to know each other, and its fun learning new things
• The ingenuity of different plans
• Enjoying the strengths and creativity of women
• I love the community building and friendships I have
• Fun interesting places to go
• Place for new people to meet people
Haikus written in WomenCircle Workshop 11/13/2022
Coordinators: Ivy Brezina and Mariana Fiorentino
Acorns drop, crack, roll
Halting scurry, flicking tail
Horned stag, windblown leaves
~ Joan O’Brien
Wearing shingled hats
Acorns plop down in the woods
Ready to take root
~ Bonnie Gilliom
Leaves are falling now
The trees emerging undressed
Flaunting stark beauty
~ Janet Tice
Brick walkway littered
Strewn with acorn debris
Navigate with care
~ Ivy Brezina
Oaks’ future hopefuls
Spreading generations
Fast falling to earth
~ Mariana Fiorentino
So full of promise
Standing under oaks, so wise
Sometimes wisdom hurts
~ Linda Thompson
Like Clydesdales clomping
The sounds of falling acorns
Excite the squirrels
~ Marianna Fiorentino
Inside is treasure
It must be broken open
So much like our hearts
~ Linda Thompson
Abundance assured
Let the gathering begin
Squirrels hoard acorns
~Mariana Fiorentino
Whisper wings come close
Sip sweet nectar
For journey away til spring
~ Carol Palm
Sun setting early
Wrapping the yard in darkness
Sleeping comes quickly
~ Gwen Van Ark
Unpack down blanket
Cuddle up with Throat Coat tea
Hibernation time
~ Ivy Brezina
Coordinators: Ivy Brezina and Mariana Fiorentino
Acorns drop, crack, roll
Halting scurry, flicking tail
Horned stag, windblown leaves
~ Joan O’Brien
Wearing shingled hats
Acorns plop down in the woods
Ready to take root
~ Bonnie Gilliom
Leaves are falling now
The trees emerging undressed
Flaunting stark beauty
~ Janet Tice
Brick walkway littered
Strewn with acorn debris
Navigate with care
~ Ivy Brezina
Oaks’ future hopefuls
Spreading generations
Fast falling to earth
~ Mariana Fiorentino
So full of promise
Standing under oaks, so wise
Sometimes wisdom hurts
~ Linda Thompson
Like Clydesdales clomping
The sounds of falling acorns
Excite the squirrels
~ Marianna Fiorentino
Inside is treasure
It must be broken open
So much like our hearts
~ Linda Thompson
Abundance assured
Let the gathering begin
Squirrels hoard acorns
~Mariana Fiorentino
Whisper wings come close
Sip sweet nectar
For journey away til spring
~ Carol Palm
Sun setting early
Wrapping the yard in darkness
Sleeping comes quickly
~ Gwen Van Ark
Unpack down blanket
Cuddle up with Throat Coat tea
Hibernation time
~ Ivy Brezina
WomenCircle programs have enabled women to:
- Explore spirituality in rituals
- Learn new skills
- Get outdoors
- Expand physical skills
- Build community and make friends
- Have fun
Since 1996, WomenCircle has encouraged and sponsored programs of interest to women of all ages at the Community Church. Programs are usually monthly and vary widely. For 2019, WomenCirlce has planned events when we will
• expanding our creativity through singing and dancing;
• having wonderful times to get to know each other such as our potluck and tea house trip;
• sharing adventures such as visiting a museum and a trip to the mountains;
• learning from each other in art and writing exercise
++Book Recommendations from WomenCircle Bookshare on 9/26/2020
Lisa’s recommendations:
Waking Lions by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantu
Valerie’s Recommendations:
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyers
To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith
All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (audio read by Tom Hanks)
The American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones
Inspector Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford Series by Charles Todd
Fantastic Fungi Documentary – Paul Stamets
Joan’s Recommendation:
Circe by Madeline Miller
Shannon’s Recommendations:
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Mudbound by Hilary Jordan
The Window by Amelia Brunskill
Maggie’s Recommendations:
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
Kathy’s Recommendations:
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Ivy’s Recommendations:
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo
How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
Helen’s Recommendations:
Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Bruno Chief of Police Series by Martin Walker
Don’t Remember Who Recommended:
Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series by Jacqueline Winspear
- Explore spirituality in rituals
- Learn new skills
- Get outdoors
- Expand physical skills
- Build community and make friends
- Have fun
Since 1996, WomenCircle has encouraged and sponsored programs of interest to women of all ages at the Community Church. Programs are usually monthly and vary widely. For 2019, WomenCirlce has planned events when we will
• expanding our creativity through singing and dancing;
• having wonderful times to get to know each other such as our potluck and tea house trip;
• sharing adventures such as visiting a museum and a trip to the mountains;
• learning from each other in art and writing exercise
++Book Recommendations from WomenCircle Bookshare on 9/26/2020
Lisa’s recommendations:
Waking Lions by Ayelet Gundar-Goshen
The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantu
Valerie’s Recommendations:
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyers
To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith
All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (audio read by Tom Hanks)
The American Marriage: A Novel by Tayari Jones
Inspector Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford Series by Charles Todd
Fantastic Fungi Documentary – Paul Stamets
Joan’s Recommendation:
Circe by Madeline Miller
Shannon’s Recommendations:
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Mudbound by Hilary Jordan
The Window by Amelia Brunskill
Maggie’s Recommendations:
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse: A Novel by Louise Erdrich
Kathy’s Recommendations:
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Ivy’s Recommendations:
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo
How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
Helen’s Recommendations:
Being Peace by Thich Nhat Hanh
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Bruno Chief of Police Series by Martin Walker
Don’t Remember Who Recommended:
Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series by Jacqueline Winspear