1.opening
opening mission: To begin the circle remind one another of your mutual intention for gathering. Try starting each meeting by citing the sister i mission statement: “We are gathered here to foster and celebrate the creative spirit of women”. Lighting a candle at this time might help center the circle and could be a signal for beginning your meetings.
opening silent time: Each meeting begins with a silent time. The sister i calendar will suggest a word to concentrate on related to the season. Verbalizing the silent word signifies the beginning and end of the silent time. This short ritual is a time to wind down, collect thoughts, and center ourselves. Since journal writing is encouraged as a vital process of the creative journey, this would be an opportune time to get some uninterrupted writing in. Five minutes is suggested for the opening silent time, but each circle must determine its own groups silent time needs.
introductions/agenda: If the circle is new, or some women are new to the circle, introduce yourselves and state your intentions for joining the circle. With the sister i calendar in hand, the leaders welcome the group and set the agenda for the evening. Setting a verbal time table helps to keep the circle on track and focused.
2.intro sentence
To open the circle up for sharing the sister i calendar provides a sentence to be filled in. For example: “My creative urge is....” You’ll be amazed at how much dialogue can come out of this section. If your circle is large you’ll need to be sensitive to the time in order to maintain your agenda.
3.sharing creative stonesSM
This section of the meeting continues the sharing by redirecting the focus on what has been happening creatively with each woman since the last meeting. The following focal points for discussion are suggested:
stepping stones: Sharing struggles or triumphs with your creative goals.
synchronicities: Sharing those unexplainable coincidences that seem to give you insight or push you toward your creative goals.
4.jewel boxSM
There are six unique jewel boxes outlined for each season (see jewel box — a seasonal outline). This section of the meeting will give members a balanced variety of exercises and activities to help unleash the creative spirit within. The suggestions and guidelines for each jewel box are there to help each woman and not to give specific instructions, for there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to creating. The jewel box is designed to help each woman learn to trust her own creative instinct and realize her creative talents. These exercises will inspire members to find time within her own environment to be creative — as the goal of sister i is to integrate creative energy and thought into each woman’s daily life. Since the jewel box activities are interactive and absorb a lot of meeting time, make sure adequate time is allotted, so that this section can be completed.
5.closing silent time
Using the silent time word, as explained above, take time to reflect on your circle’s meeting and envision ways in which your daily life will be renewed and inspired. Candles out!
a. guidelines — sister i circle principles and practices
b. format — sister i circle format
next: c. jewel box — a seasonal format
d. roles — facilitating a sister i circle
e. environment — staging your sister i circle
