GSV 2024 Spring Post 3

Spring 2024

On The Precipice

May 10-12, 2024

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC

3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $200.00


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $230.00


Single Occupancy (private room): $370.00


For All Rooms add Mandatory GSV program fee: $35.00

Register Now!

Hello Siblings!

We are just a few weeks away from being together for our Gay Spirit Visions 2024 Spring Retreat. I cannot wait to see everyone back “home” at The Mountain! If you have not already registered, please do so very soon. The registration cut-off date for our Spring Retreat is Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Our GSV Winter Meditation gathering reminded us that our life journey has taken us on many paths. Sometimes those paths have been amazing and other times those paths may have taken us to challenging situations. Often those times may find us on a precipice. This can be very scary and feel very lonely. We may not know what to do or how to move forward.

You may have recently faced your own precipice, or maybe you are on a precipice right now. It is indeed a time of tremendous growth and definite change. One reason it may feel so difficult is because we feel we are facing this alone. However, remember this – you are not alone! You have found your tribe, and we can negotiate the precipice together.

This spring let’s discover together how we can find strength, love, and support. These precipice moments are critical and set us up for positive growth. We will talk about what we see as we stand on our precipice, how we can stand together, and what we have learned from those experiences.

My hope is that during our time together you will experience enlightenment, peace, love, and maybe some new ways of processing your own precipices. Allow me to gently remind you that it’s okay to get a little uncomfortable while exploring your precipices with new thoughts and ideas. It is also okay to have a little fun and find humor in those challenges. Both help us move to new levels of awareness and growth. Who better to do that with than your tribe?

We will have workshops that will be exciting and challenging. We will have workshops that will be fun and playful, and we will have workshops that will guide some introspective moments. There will be opportunities to share your story of your own precipices if you choose.

Workshops will be led by some amazing GSV participants!

Mahan-Kalpa Khalsa – “Sacred Touch Massage” and “Sexual Kung Fu”
Roger Custin – “Finding the Light in Grief”
John Marotta – “Game of Self Discovery”
Kyle Keane and Bill Harris – “The Joy of Aging”
Additionally, we will have:

Popup Workshops
Our GSV Sacred Fire in the Fire Ring
Morning Meditation
Labyrinth Walk
Cuddle Time
After Hours Cookie and Tea
I am very excited about what has come together and am putting some finishing touches on the schedule for the weekend. As always, you can connect and participate as much as you want and need. And if you need some alone time, know that we understand and will honor this form of self-care.

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26, 2024. We hope that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26, 2024.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

In conclusion, please know that you are not alone, for we have each other and there is great strength in our GSV tribe. I cannot wait to see you in a few weeks.

Sending love and peace to you all,
Darin Topham
GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Convener

Register Now!

GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Post 2

Spring 2024

On The Precipice

May 10-12, 2024

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC

3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $200.00


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $230.00


Single Occupancy (private room): $370.00


For All Rooms add Mandatory GSV program fee: $35.00

Register Now!

Hello Siblings,

I am getting very excited about the 2024 Gay Spirit Visions Spring Retreat. I am looking forward to seeing you back home at The Mountain. My hope is we will experience a collective connection and become energized and empowered.

The questions we often ask when finding ourselves on a precipice are often:

• I feel like I am only reaching half of my potential. What am I missing?
• Why does it seem to be so difficult for me to understand this challenge?
• Am I afraid that I may fail and/or get hurt again?
• Does my fear of the unknown keep me from taking the leap?

I want us to talk about these questions, and other questions that you may have, so we can face some of our fears and learn from one another.

What you can expect during our time together:

• Workshops that include ways to manage precipice moments and challenges
• Full group and small group discussions
• Pop-up theme groups, workshops, and activities
• Unstructured “free” time for yourself. Self-care is key!
• And more!

If you are interested in leading a workshop, discussion group, or activity that is connected with the Spring Retreat theme, please reach out to me via email, and let’s talk about what you would like to offer. My email address is [email protected].

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26. We hope that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

Let’s gather together and listen to one another, share ideas and experiences, and support each other. I hope to see you at The Mountain.

Sending love and light,
Darin Topham
GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Convener

Register Now!

GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Post 1

Spring 2024

On The Precipice

May 10-12, 2024

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC

3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $200.00


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $230.00


Single Occupancy (private room): $370.00


For All Rooms add Mandatory GSV program fee: $35.00

Register Now!

Dear Siblings,

This spring we look at that pivotal point where we could be facing great change. What are the possibilities? Do I have to do this alone? What is my potential? What do I deserve? You deserve it all …

Our Winter Meditation gathering reminded us that our life journey has taken us on many paths. Sometimes those paths have been amazing and other times those paths may have taken us to challenging situations. Often those times may find us on a precipice. This can be very scary and feel very lonely. We may not know what to do or how to move forward.

You may have recently faced your own precipice, or maybe you are on a precipice right now. It is indeed a time of tremendous growth and definite change. One reason it may feel so difficult is because we feel we are facing this alone. However, remember this – you are not alone! You have found your tribe, and we can negotiate the precipice together.

This spring let’s discover together how we can find strength, love, and support. These precipice moments are critical and set us up for positive growth. We will talk about what we see as we stand on our precipice, how we can stand together, and what we have learned from those experiences. All of this can be so much easier when we realize we are not alone. WE can do this. If you are interested in providing a workshop that is connected with this theme, please reach out to me via email and let’s talk about what you would like to offer. My email address is [email protected].

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26. Our hope is that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

I am so looking forward to seeing you at The Mountain for our Spring Retreat.

Sincerely,
Darin Topham
GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Convener

Register Now!

GSV 2024 Winter Meditation Post 3

Winter Meditation 2024
GSV 2024 Winter Meditation: Celebrating the Journey
GSV 2024 Winter Meditation

Celebrating the Journey


January 12-14, 2024


The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands NC


3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy) $210.00


Single Occupancy (private room) $350.00


For All Rooms Add Required GSV Program Fee $35.00

Register Now!

Dear Lovely Folks,

This is my last letter to you before the Winter Meditation gathering. We are in the final stages of planning the weekend and we have a good weekend ahead of us. I am hoping that those of you who are feeling called to be there will register soon. I know that if you choose to join us, there will be an entire community waiting to welcome you.

As you may recall, the theme for the weekend is Celebrating the Journey. As I have been fleshing out this idea, I’ve been able to bring together a group of fellow GSV siblings to offer their services around this theme. The following people will be taking you on workshop journeys.

Pete Cossaboon – Journey of the mind. Pete will be offering a meditation time with a bit of a twist.

Mahan Kalpa Khalsa – Journey of body and touch. Mahan Kalpa will help you dance through your chakras.

Greg Fields – Journey of movement. Greg will lead you in yoga.

Jonny Gray – Journey of creation. Jonny will help you create elder beads for the 2024 Fall Conference.

Before we get to those workshops, I will lead the group in a workshop delving into our individual journeys to reflect on where we have been, where we are, and where we might want to go. To wrap everything up, Chaser Robinson will lead us in a Rumi workshop that will hopefully send us on our way in contemplation, peace, and love.

At the end of Saturday, I invite you to celebrate your journey and yourself by attending a Celebratory Mocktail Party. Mocktails will be served. I ask that you show up in your version of mocktail attire whatever that means to you. I’ve got myself a fabulous frock for the occasion. Music will be provided by our own DJ Mackie Mack.

I ask that in addition to what you need to pack for your comfort and for navigating The Mountain and the climate, you also bring something to write with and in which you will use in the workshop that I am preparing for you.

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is December 29. We hope that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is December 29.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

Registration is now open via the GSV website, so please join us. Private rooms may be available on a limited basis. Please note that the registration deadline for this gathering is January 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

I look forward to seeing all of you who choose to come. I await your arrival.

Love,
Rev. Dr. Pork Chop
Scott Dillard
GSV 2024 Winter Meditation Convener

Register Now!

GSV 2024 Winter Meditation Post 2

Winter Meditation 2024
GSV 2024 Winter Meditation: Celebrating the Journey
GSV 2024 Winter Meditation

Celebrating the Journey


January 12-14, 2024


The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands NC


3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy) $210.00


Single Occupancy (private room) $350.00


For All Rooms Add Required GSV Program Fee $35.00

Register Now!

Dear Fellow Travelers,

I hope that you are all doing well after the Thanksgiving Day festivities and are looking forward to the upcoming holidays. Each year we travel through this same journey. It can seem like a familiar thing year after year. However, if we look over the course of our lives, we realize that even these familiar yearly touchstones have meant different things to us at different times. That is what I am proposing we explore at our upcoming Winter Meditation gathering at The Mountain, January 12-14, 2024.

During our time together, we will celebrate the journey that is our life. We will look at the past, the present, and a proposed future. Participants will be guided through an examination of the good and the bad of their lives, the joyful and the sorrowful, the comic and the tragic. We do this as a journey of appreciation and acceptance of our individual journeys and that may help us see ourselves as unique and valuable beings in this world.

In addition to the workshop celebrating our journey, we will move toward integration through work on the mind, the body, and through action. You will have the opportunity to participate in meditation, touch, yoga, and craft-making. At the end of the journey, you are all invited to a Mocktail Party. We will be serving mocktails and socializing. I ask that you dress for the event. Whatever says “Mocktail Party Attire” to you will be appropriate, wonderful, and appreciated.

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is December 29. Our hope is that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is December 29.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

Registration is now open via the GSV website, so please join us. Private rooms are available on a limited basis. Please note that the registration deadline for this gathering is January 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

I do hope that you will be coming to join us in exploring your journey, hearing about the journeys of others, and celebrating those journeys as a community.

I look forward to welcoming all who feel called to take the journey.

Love,
Rev. Dr. Pork Chop
Scott Dillard
GSV 2024 Winter Meditation Convener

Register Now!