Join In A NEW CONVERSATION: DOUBT, FAITH & CONFUSION

• Susan, Thank you for the workshop yesterday. I was amazed at how just a couple of poems could stimulate such a variety of reflections, comments and inputs. A far cry from poetry classes for the leaving cert!   I was ... struck by how the whole event lingered on after we had all departed. ... Dave

• Hi Susan, ... You certainly have not lost the gift of how to facilitate a good session. It showed... no matter what the topic, the possibility for people to become more aware exists. Michael     

E-Mails after Conversations on Dreaming at Cuirt International Festival of Literature, 2015. More below.*

Doubt, Faith & Confusion?

Facilitated by Susan Lindsay 

For those of no religion or any religion, who love poetry or think they know nothing about it.

Four Tuesdays April 11, 18, 25 & May 2, 2017

Kilcoole Community Centre   7.30 – 9pm
Co. Wicklow

In Doubt

I want to hear about faith
about the way you put your feet
on the floor
each day and rise.    Whispering the Secrets (Doire, 2011)

Susan Lindsay is an experienced facilitator. A third book of her poetry is forthcoming from Doire Press in Spring, 2018. More biography in further Posting belong.

BOOK: versevent@gmail.com Mob.086-1671524  PLACES LIMITED.

€15 a night, €48 in advance for four. Concession: €12 or €40. 

WHAT  HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS:

         Comments received from confidential questionnaires issued to participants

After two workshops given at the Cuirt International Literature Festival, Galway 2016

- in Roisin Dubh pub and GMIT library 

AND at the conclusion of the first of a weekly, now monthly,

ongoing Conversation in a local community in Kilcolgan, Co. Galway

4.       Overall:  What aspect/s of the workshop particularly appealed to you, or worked for you?

·         Theme, different poems, different: participants; nationalities; voices; perspectives but having a mediator/facilitator “in charge”.

·         All was good

·         Experience of contrary opinions

·         Particularly last poem, ’If the Philosopher is Right by Mary Oliver

·         Group discussion’.

·         Exposure to new poems; opportunity for discussion, how listening is an on-going practice.

·         “I enjoyed the non-threatening group discussion. The depth of the conversation that arose from people in the room – especially on ‘State of Ireland'( comment on this poem disputed in a comment about what did not appeal by another respondent).

·         Hearing different points of view.

·         Safety to express different ideas and opinions.

·         Open conversation.

·         Existential aspect of poems.

·         The social aspect.

·         New to poetry and fascinating to hear poems being dissected and analysed.

·         Loved hearing everyone’s perspective (to) diversity, just great!

·         Joined reflection and sharing.

·         The mix of gender in the conversation.

·         People sharing different opinions, stimulating, different views

 WEEKLY (CONTINUING MONTHLY STILL, 2017) COMMUNITY  CONVERSATION 

In Ashes, Having the Conversation – About Faith                                                    

Questionnaire responses from Spring 2013                                         

What worked/appealed particularly?

•  Exploring others’ ideas, thoughts
• When a theme was being really explored – the different interpretations/perceptions which open my eyes.
• The poetry.
• The Structure was great and kept us on track …
• Variety of opinions. Faith as an intro to other concepts. Listening to all. Easy flow back and forth. Listening and feedback. Inclusion of the poetry. Conversation aspect and respect. Hearing other people’s ideas, beliefs.
• Very sensitive to all participants and giving me the opportunity – when wished – to talk. Testament to (facilitator) that people felt sufficient trust to talk honestly.
• The flow was great, input relevant and very thoughtful and meaningful.
• Nourished. Important that it was around faith.
• Loved the use of symbol.