L to R: Aaron Wilson-Ahlstrom, Debbie Wollard and Oletha Haller, board members

In spite of a sudden blizzard on Sunday, January 29, about 60 people made it to the “Hope for the Journey” celebration at the Lodge. Board member Aaron Wilson-Ahlstrom brought the beautiful, moving, and powerful ceremony to an end with these words.

Our theme for today is “Hope for the Journey.”

Leaven has always been a place of hope – a fierce hope born of a faith in the power that we have when we gather to share our stories, name the injustice and oppression in our lives, and affirm one another’s dignity and place in the human family. So many have come to Leaven and left with a renewed sense of hope, a hope which helps them deepen their commitment to doing work for justice and healing, a hope which restores the spirit after years in the trenches.

We are bringing around candles for each of you, and will soon be coming around to light each of your candles with the light from the main candle up front.  As we light the candle of the first person in each row, we invite you to light your neighbor’s candle, until all the candles are lit.

We are laying down Leaven because we have been unable to keep it open financially.  But we are not laying down the work.  We have gathered today to celebrate all that Leaven has meant and continues to mean in our lives and our work.  We gather one final time on this hallowed ground to remember, to celebrate, and to pledge together to honor the hope that we have witnessed and created and felt grow among us.  We honor that hope by committing together to continue the work, to take the small light of hope that lives in each of us, and to carry that light with us as we go out and go forth.   We have gathered today to affirm that we have Hope for the Journey.

We invite you to look around this room, to celebrate the fact that each of us is a witness to Hope, and that each of us will take this light with us as we leave. Let us lift up our candles now and commit to keep on carrying on. Feel the spirit that is here with us, remember it, that you may call it forth weeks, months, years from now when you are in place where you need to draw on some Hope to get you through, to help you keep going…  In just a minute we will be blowing out these candles, but we will be taking with us the light and the spirit that is with us here and now.  Take the light that you are holding, and welcome it into you, so that you can take it with you when you leave this place.

And now, let us lower our candles, and let us pledge to honor the light by continuing to do the work, together.  Let us blow out our candles together.

Let us go forth, filled with Hope for the Journey.

Aaron Wilson-Ahlstrom
Board Member

Sarah as a VISTA volunteer at Leaven.

In one week the Leaven Community will gather to remember, commemorate, look forward, and say goodbye.

On January 29th I look forward to gathering with a community of people I have known most of my adult life and also with new friends that have been touched in the same ways that I have by the work of Leaven. Together we will share stories, song, and food like so many times before.

I will be spending this upcoming week remembering those that have gone before in this work.  Asking how I can bring them into this event and continue to keep them and this community as part of my life journey.  I encourage you to do the same, to take time and remember.

The Leaven Center is a lodge and farmhouse full of memories of growth, transformation, healing, and love. I hope that all of us can keep a piece of this overwhelming feeling of peace and home that I have felt when I have entered the Center’s doors.  We can use this feeling to encourage us to keep being brave and to continue to speak truths to power.

We as a Leaven board greatly encourage you to come to this gathering that will create a space for us all to collectively give voice to our personal journeys of growth and resilience.

Warmly,
Sarah Cleaver

Some thoughts about the Leaven we know and love so well, on the edge of more steps at the dawning of certainty toward the future; yet, we still long to expect the unexpected in the journey toward tomorrow.

Some were fortunate to visit, participate in workshops, seminars and other settings of truth and life, embracing activities that shaped a paradigm shift of being and doing – believing and perceiving.      While many participated in ongoing workshops and seminars, I experienced Leaven as a board member over a 15-year period.  I was impacted by the vision and mission and became a carrier of a vision and implementation of mission at a distance. It was invigorating and challenging to be a part of the planning, implementation and fundraising – the Capital Campaign, Seeds of Hope, and Carry the Dream.

It is apparent that there have been truth seekers and infectious vision carriers for Leaven to have been in existence for a significant amount of clock time.  As a shared dream emerged over the years, Leaven became a symbol of peace, justice and inclusion.

It was said by someone – I can only paraphrase it here as a reminder – that anything that is deeply embedded in the human consciousness is attainable.  So it is that Leaven, as some know it and others have experienced it in various settings, stands between memory and hope. Leaven became a teaching and learning community; a place where imagining was made concrete. Participants and others have been impacted by the memory of teaching, learning, being and doing in transformative settings as a safe place for truths – sometimes dangerous truths – liberating truths.  Another way of stating this truth is to suggest that seeds planted in nurturing soil can produce a bountiful harvest.  Ideas planted in teaching and learning, dialogue and discernment can produce a depth of being and doing that surpasses surface or depth. Many became, I think, dreamers and visionary believers of the impossible possibility and the imagining of what can be the divine order for creatures and creation.

It is said that hope is the melody of the future and unbounded grounded faith is to dance to it. It is said that many are able to walk the talk they espouse – thank goodness for them – as light bearers in the ever expansive circles of truth and possibility and hope. This posture will continue to be expansive between memory and hope.

Oletha Haller
Leaven Board Member

8142 Peckins Rd.

The Leaven Center came into my life in a very unique way. I grew up on Peckins Road in an old farmhouse, which later became Leaven’s office.

It was a pleasure to get to know Melanie and April as our neighbors first, and we were equally pleased to learn about the wide variety of inspiring workshops and retreats that they offered. Best of all, to us, the center was in the big beautiful log cabin right across the road.

That was March of 2000, and as you know, so much has happened between then and now. There have been so many wonderful workshops, we have learned so many interesting and insightful things, and we have met so many beautiful people.

One of my favorite memories is of my very first time with Melanie and April, when they held an all-day event on the fourth of July, called “How Can I Keep From Singing?” It was really the first time I had ever been with a group of people who got together just to sing. And it was delightful!

All of the memories of that “first” day flooded back to me during a Saturday event that we had at the lodge two weeks ago, “1 Last JAM for Leaven.”

Much like the first time, we did SO much wonderful singing. Intertwined with that, there was drumming and playing with other rhythm instruments, and even some quiet time learning a few yoga techniques. Everything about the day, the music, the food and laughter, the people connecting — it was truly phenomenal.

The whole day reminded me of ALL of the connections and synchronicities that had been created at Leaven, every single time a group gathered in that sacred circle. I also realized, again, that even outside of the circle, we will continue to create and witness these amazing synchronicities throughout the rest of our lives.

Because of this, and despite the economic situation affecting all of us at The Leaven Center, we STILL have hope.  We know that every single person who has ever been on the Leaven land was touched in a miraculous way. We know that each and every person now carries with them this seed of miracles and beautiful connections. In the Leaven name and our hope-filled mission, we know each person will continue to grow and connect with others in the same creative and inspiring way, long after the Leaven sign has been taken down from Peckins Road.

Vanessa Mitchner
Leaven Board Member

Advent is my favorite time of the year in the Christian church. I love the slower pace, the sense of mystery and the darkness that is threaded throughout the Advent stories.

I am glad this year to be reminded that:

• Waiting with anticipation is a sign of Hope and,
• Periods of darkness and mystery often produce miracles of unimagined proportion.

I remember when I first came to The Leaven Center, and when I began to meet some of the people in the Leaven community. I felt such hope! And still do. The people who come to Leaven are brave, committed people who dedicate themselves to creating a better world. You are a community of people who carve new pathways, create new norms and break the patterns that oppress and depress. That is a community that fosters Hope for sure, and will continue to do so into the future.

In this season of Hope and giving I invite you to join me in sending a tax-deductible gift in honor of, celebration of, or thanksgiving for someone special in your life. If you have been profoundly impacted by a workshop leader at Leaven, or by the founders or current director, might I suggest that you send a financial gift as one way to express your gratitude. If you have had a powerful experience on the land at The Leaven Center, I hope you will consider joining others in sending along a year-end gift to express your gratitude.

As a community we continue to wait with anticipation …

• to see who will buy the Lodge and Farmhouse and how Leaven’s legacy will continue,
• to strive to reach our goal of raising $85,000 in order to pay off all of the debt owed from Leaven’s amazing mission, service, and advocacy,
• to see what miracles will continue to emerge from this time that feels to some like a time of darkness and
• to watch for the ways that the Hope is carried forward by each of you.

I have been so inspired by all of the signs of Hope that have already been shared, and by the director, Karen, who continues to anticipate success for this final fundraising appeal. I am choosing to wait with anticipation along with Karen and the other board members — watching for the miracles that come in unimagined proportions when a collection of hopeful people comes together with a common purpose.

With deep gratitude, high hopes and wishing you peace,

Debbie Wollard
Acting President
Leaven Board

June Maffin,  Leaven workshop facilitator from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, posted this on Leaven’s Facebook wall this morning. June is an Anglican priest, so her perspective is Christian, and her offering comes out of that. For those who are not Christian, her message still rings true. Thank you, June, for saying this. ~ Karen

Christmas is a time of hope … and wonder … and stories. This is a story that begins, not surprisingly, with the words “Once upon a time.”

Once upon a time, some people had a dream. When acreage was purchased in Michigan, the lodge on the site became Leaven Center for countless people over the years who were blessed by the workshops, retreats & courses it offered that nurtured spirituality and social justice and were grounded in care for all and integrity.

This story has a sad ending. It’s closing. Next month. And it is in debt. Serious debt.

Hang in there – remember, this is a story of Christmas and wonder … and hope – even in the darkness.

But back to the story. The debt was so serious that its Executive Director had not received a salary for much of the year. When she was hired, a salary was negotiated but there was not been sufficient money to pay her. At all. So for most of the year, she served the Center’s retreatants, course participants, renters, course instructors, Board members – for free. Not minimum wage. No wage.

When the Board of Directors sent out a letter explaining its difficult decision to close Leaven Center, it made a final call for financial support and people asked “What? The Leaven Center is closing and the Board is asking people to send them money? Why?” “And why would anyone send money to support an organization that is closing?”

Educator and activist Dionardo Pizana offered this response: “The letter that was sent regarding Leaven’s closure and final call for financial support was a dignity-filled, dignity-centered request. It aligned itself beautifully with the ongoing mission of Leaven; and it was grounded in care, social justice, and integrity as Leaven looks to meet its obligations to staff, creditors and others. What a beautiful legacy to support as we all try to cope with the loss of this institution and its impact on our lives.”

“A dignity-filled, dignity-centered request … as Leaven looks to meet its obligations.” One of those obligations involved paying the salary of Leaven Centre’s Executive Director.

And here is where the story get personal.

Times are tough for all of us, I know only too well. But I have a high theology of hope. I believe in Christmas and wonder and the generosity of people. And I believe in the principles for which Leaven Center has stood all these years.

The word “community” has many layers of meaning. As I think about this situation, I can’t help but wonder if there are people who are reading this who share common values with what Leaven Center has promoted and stood for all these years. And if so, whether or not they have ever been to Leaven Center, if they are supportive of a retreat center that holds social justice and spirituality in high regard and which seeks to honor its commitments so that its doors can close with dignity, integrity and respect for its staff. If so, then they/we/I are part of the Leaven Center “community.”

Hope! I’m hopeful that whether it’s $1, $10, $100, $1,000 (or somewhere in-between or above), many of us can be part of the Leaven Center community and show our appreciation for retreat centers in general and for Leaven Center and its faithful Executive Director in particular.

What a Christmas it would be if the Board could say “We are closing our doors, but we have honored our commitments and have faithfully lived our spirituality-social justice mission from beginning to end.”

As singer, songwriter Joe Reilly said: “It’s not about getting to an end, a destination, as much as it is the way we walk on the path.”

Please have a look at Leaven Center’s website: www.leavencenter.org and if so inclined/able tax deductible donations can be sent to Leaven, P.O. Box 97, Lyons, MI 48851.

And in the fwiw department, some photos of Leaven Center: http://www.flickr.com/photos/junitha/sets/72157626124175790/ and on the Leaven Center FB page.

I first came to Leaven about 10 years ago, to attend the Doing Our Own Work anti-racism seminar.  Relationships formed there led me to become involved in multicultural and diversity work through MSU-Extension – work that led to new life-giving relationships and growth.   I returned to Leaven for a different Doing Our Own Work seminar – this time men working against sexism.  In that seminar, I discovered and claimed my own anger at sexism and the way it warps the world I live in and does violence to all girls and women.  And I have now been back close to a dozen times to be part of the Doing Our Own Work, white people working against racism seminar.

Leaven – the place, the workshops, the relationships – all of these have helped me back to my own humanity.   I believe that systems of oppression, while they give me unearned privilege in areas where I have non-target status (for example, as a white person, a man, a heterosexual, a temporarily able-bodied person), also, and in so doing, separate me from my own humanity, and from my connection to Humanity as a whole.  Systems of oppression do great damage to the souls of those of us who are privileged, those who are told and begin to believe lies about ourselves and our world – that we are superior; that we live in a meritocracy; that there is a level playing field and that if others worked hard as we have done; they would, like us, know material and wordly success; that we must each pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.   Time and time again I’ve returned to sit with others in the circle at Leaven, to do the work of  countering these lies with new stories  - stories of truth, real stories, our stories.  And also stories of others that are not ours, but which witness to a truth that helps strip the power of those lies and which, together, shine light on a path back to our collective humanity.

Leaven’s mission has been to nurture the connections between spirituality and social justice.   That has certainly been my experience – as I’ve pursued social justice work, I have been blessed with spiritual gifts, and begun to develop spiritual resources I didn’t know I had.

How can one sufficiently give thanks for such gifts?

Of course, we cannot.  And, of course, we must.  And we do so by continuing to do the work; continuing to fight for justice; continuing to organize; continuing to build new relationships and coaltions and communities; and continuing to remain open and vulnerable and to love ourselves, others and the world more deeply and more fiercely.

As I grieve the closing of the place and the organization that has blessed me with so many gifts, my hope is that I might show my gratitude in some of these ways.  May my journey honor that which I have been blessed to receive.

Eleven years later, three working at Leaven and five serving on the Leaven board of Directors, I cant envision what my life would look like without the Leaven community.

When the Board had to make the difficult decision to close Leaven so many memories came to mind about all the people and workshops that have helped shape who I am as a person in this complex and amazing world.

One particular memory I have is of designing, growing, and harvesting the Leaven farmhouse garden. Creating this garden coincided with the second year that I worked at the Leaven Center when I was beginning to facilitate more events and trust myself as an activist, teacher, and mentor for the first time in my life. I remember spending every morning and evening in that garden feeling my body and my heart get stronger and continue to open more and more to every new experience that was happening. Leaven and that garden taught me to be present…to listen to myself and others intentionally and with an open heart.

We as the Leaven Board would like you to share your memories of Leaven on this blog and with each other as much as you can in an effort to lay down the work of leaven together through shared memory.

Look forward to seeing you in the upcoming months.

Sarah Cleaver

It was just over two weeks ago that “the letter” began arriving.I knew it was coming, of course. All the same, when I found it in my mailbox — the words in print there on the page, announcing to the Leaven community that we will close January 31, 2012 — I was not prepared. I had expected relief, perhaps, that a decision had been made. Sadness, perhaps, for an ending. But this was different. Is different.

I was surprised by waves of grief for the loss of Leaven. Grief that we couldn’t hold on, grief that something so vital must finally be laid down, trusting that the work will be done in other ways, by other people in whom Leaven has planted seeds of change. Grief that this beautiful land will be turned over to someone else, that the deer may no longer find refuge here.

I was surprised by waves of gratitude, too. For my time at this singular, sacred place. For the many growing edges Leaven has provided me. For the people I have met. For the experiences that have changed me forever, that I would not have had if I had not said “yes” nearly four years ago.

I know that I am not alone with grief and gratitude. Please come to a day of celebration, Hope for the Journey: A Celebration of Leaven, on January 29. Board members are planning a closing ceremony, a potluck dinner, a bonfire, and time to visit the land and with one another one last time in this place. If you would like to help with this day, please e-mail Debbie. If you are interested in staying at the Lodge the night before or after, please be in touch with me.

If you would like to spend time at the Lodge and can’t make the dates for an individual retreat, know that most weekdays and weeknights are open and available. As long as you don’t mind sharing the Lodge with others, you are welcome to rent for a night or two (or more!), without the usual minimum. Contact me for more about that as well.

There is much left to do still. The Lodge is open for business and will be used through the end of January. Scheduled workshops and rentals will go on. There is cleaning, laundry, cooking, raking, shoveling — all the details to care for, as always.

We have $85,000 to raise in order to accomplish the board’s and my final goal for this place: to close Leaven with dignity and integrity. Please consider making a donation toward this important effort. The amount is up to you; but what a statement it would make to have 100 percent participation in this last campaign together as a Leaven community.

To date, 40 people have stepped up and contributed $7,035. The notes, letters and cards included with these donations have been a huge gift in and of themselves.

With deep grief but even deeper gratitude and abiding hope,

Karen

Karen Bota
Executive Director
Leaven