RETREAT PROJECT ADVANCING

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...last two years, after overcoming some initial concern about it being too isolated for a national retreat centre.

“We’ve felt very supported by the community here. Even the land itself, as we’ve all got to know it, and found our own ways of connecting with it, has a sense of welcoming.”

Jackie explains that the farm itself has already had practitioners visit, or stay. They are invited to contribute by planting trees along the waterways. “We all practice together, so it’s very much an organic process,” she says. “Ren means ‘people’ and Xue means ‘study of’, so it’s a system for growing life in a harmonious way for individuals, but also in relationship with each other and nature.”

Fellow steering group member Marie-Laure Darricarrere describes what they can offer the community while the retreat centre progresses. “In terms of current Ren Xue training, we offer classes and gatherings during the week and one-on-one sessions. There are two regular classes a week with Catherine, Marie-Laure and her husband Vincent Louys run a workshop the first Friday of the month, Manfred and Ana Raunnigg run weekly classes, and all the teachers offer one-to-one sessions.”

For more information about the project, go to: www. aotearoaretreatcentre.org

Anyone interested in visiting the farm, should contact Steve Lee at steve.lee@aotearoaretreatcentre.org

For Ren Xue classes, email: qigonggoldenbay@gmail.com

Thank you to the Golden Bay locals that volunteer for Nelson Tasman Hospice

As we observed National Volunteers Week Nelson Tasman Hospice would like to let the community know how much we appreciate our volunteers

Volunteers give an average of 4 hours a week to their roles with hospice A variety of roles provide anything from emotional support for patients to assisting with administrative tasks and fundraising Volunteer contributions are invaluable and make it possible for the service to reach its potential

We have a few more roles that need filling in our shop, we also need a life story writer and an equipment delivery volunteer If any of those roles interest you, please contact Krisca Gould Volunteer Programme Manager at 03 546 3912 or krisca.gould@nelsonhospice.org.nz

Four each.