Dear Bruce and All,

Thank you for creating a circle conversation.

Circle has been in my heart and my experience since the 1970s when I was fortunate to receive circle training and work for two circle organizations. One was a women's health clinic in Cleveland, the other was a women's empowerment and employment agency in Salt Lake City, Utah. Having had these experiences as well as training in group process and organizational development, I brought the circle model with me when I was hired to serve as the director of Women's Ministries of the Episcopal Church USA, in 1983. Just before this took place, I had started Women's Work, Inc, a non-profit organization that became the model for the State of Connecticut in training and placing women in the building trades. I knew that circle worked in all settings.

When I took the job at the National Episcopal Church as the director of women’s ministries, the two women hired before me had been fired and the women’s organizations were scattered and deeply divided. I brought representatives from the organizations together in circle, the magical process that quickly united them. They created the Council for Women’s Ministries that existed for the seventeen years I held this job. Together we co-created a magazine, books, videos; five women’s leadership training programs built on the circle model, conducted local, regional, national and international circle events and worked with the UN. We created circles and circle structures around the world. Circle is what united us, breaking down barriers caused by racism, sexism and classism.

Circle events are fun, filled with creativity, productive work and outrageous and beautiful celebrations. Circles respect and unite diversity.

Circle Connections had a gathering several years ago at Mercy Center near the San Francisco airport that brought together many circle experts and organizations such as Christina Baldwin. Tej Steiner had hoped to come but at the last moment wasn't able. We shared resources, information and a commitment to make circle mainstream.

My involvement in the Millionth Circle Conveners, Gather The Women coordinator for Southwest Florida, US Social Forum Women’s Working Group Leadership Circle, Happehatchee Center program director and chair of Global Outreach for Sophia Women’s World Conference allows me to see the bigger picture and help provide local and global connections. I look forward to exploring how Light Pages can connect us.

Rhonda Hull and I at Circle Connections are looking at what we can do to help the worldwide circle movement. We are redoing our website matching our passion with our mission. We are looking at how circle work can be sustainable for us and others. We are eager to walk with you in making circle mainstream.

Namaste!!! Ann