Asheville Area Men of Spirit (AAMOS)
Men of Spirit,
Sitting on my desk as I write is a small ceramic urn containing ashes from the last two GSV retreats which I attended…mixed with ashes from the smudging ritual which we have incorporated into each monthly meeting of the Asheville Area Men of Spirit (AAMOS). GSV and AAMOS have become an integral part of who I am as a mature gay man.
I came out really late in life (62 years old) and I did so with much trepidation about loss of community and connection with my family of origin, my own family of 4 kids, 17 grand kids, and one great grandchild; not to mention my work community as well as my “church” community. Therefore finding a group of gay guys where I could be totally myself and still be loved and respected has been and continues to be extremely important to me.
My first contact with Man Spirit was in ’04 when I would travel from Franklin, NC, to Asheville . Jerold Soder and William Perry were co-facilitators of that group and thanks to their continued monthly efforts, I knew I would never be alone because Man Spirit would always be there for me. Oops. Six to seven years later, Man Spirit was losing its current leadership and momentum with the passing of Gary Briggs.
Then I attend GSV and learn that that pillar of support was wavering, given the desire of the traditional Atlanta-centered leaders to spread responsibility to other areas of the country. That’s when the connection between GSV and AAMOS became clear.
The primary reason for being of the Asheville Area Men of Spirit is to provide a local safe haven for gay men. The Heart Circle provides that monthly. Yet, beyond that, each meeting allows discussion of how we can be of service to the larger community, namely GSV.
It is evident that many of our local brothers cannot afford the time or the money to attend a GSV conference. Therefore much of our focus has become to find ways to support the few who can attend a conference, and to encourage them to bring back the gold as well as the ashes and to find ways to share that with all of AAMOS. Our respected elder George Miller has met with AAMOS on several occasions and with his advice and encouragement, we are committed to continue his work in the area of Sacred Intimacy.
Another agreement of AAMOS, now 43 members strong, is to be a welcoming community to any one of our GSV brothers from other areas who might want to visit the Asheville community. We are a safe haven (some call it The Bunny B and B) where you can come for some quiet or even to have a little fun. Any one who might be interested in forming his own local community is welcome to experience AAMOS first hand. Michael Lott came for a visit and subsequently started the Knoxville Area Men of Spirit (KAMOS).
The well-know phrase, Family of Choice, resonates strongly with me.
I just don’t know if I would still be around if it were not for my gay buddies who show me love and support, every day. I feel safe with any man who is involved with either GSV and/or AAMOS, for I am assured that they understand the balance between sex and spirit. Let’s continue to support each other. YEAH!
Roger B
Sitting on my desk as I write is a small ceramic urn containing ashes from the last two GSV retreats which I attended…mixed with ashes from the smudging ritual which we have incorporated into each monthly meeting of the Asheville Area Men of Spirit (AAMOS). GSV and AAMOS have become an integral part of who I am as a mature gay man.
I came out really late in life (62 years old) and I did so with much trepidation about loss of community and connection with my family of origin, my own family of 4 kids, 17 grand kids, and one great grandchild; not to mention my work community as well as my “church” community. Therefore finding a group of gay guys where I could be totally myself and still be loved and respected has been and continues to be extremely important to me.
My first contact with Man Spirit was in ’04 when I would travel from Franklin, NC, to Asheville . Jerold Soder and William Perry were co-facilitators of that group and thanks to their continued monthly efforts, I knew I would never be alone because Man Spirit would always be there for me. Oops. Six to seven years later, Man Spirit was losing its current leadership and momentum with the passing of Gary Briggs.
Then I attend GSV and learn that that pillar of support was wavering, given the desire of the traditional Atlanta-centered leaders to spread responsibility to other areas of the country. That’s when the connection between GSV and AAMOS became clear.
The primary reason for being of the Asheville Area Men of Spirit is to provide a local safe haven for gay men. The Heart Circle provides that monthly. Yet, beyond that, each meeting allows discussion of how we can be of service to the larger community, namely GSV.
It is evident that many of our local brothers cannot afford the time or the money to attend a GSV conference. Therefore much of our focus has become to find ways to support the few who can attend a conference, and to encourage them to bring back the gold as well as the ashes and to find ways to share that with all of AAMOS. Our respected elder George Miller has met with AAMOS on several occasions and with his advice and encouragement, we are committed to continue his work in the area of Sacred Intimacy.
Another agreement of AAMOS, now 43 members strong, is to be a welcoming community to any one of our GSV brothers from other areas who might want to visit the Asheville community. We are a safe haven (some call it The Bunny B and B) where you can come for some quiet or even to have a little fun. Any one who might be interested in forming his own local community is welcome to experience AAMOS first hand. Michael Lott came for a visit and subsequently started the Knoxville Area Men of Spirit (KAMOS).
The well-know phrase, Family of Choice, resonates strongly with me.
I just don’t know if I would still be around if it were not for my gay buddies who show me love and support, every day. I feel safe with any man who is involved with either GSV and/or AAMOS, for I am assured that they understand the balance between sex and spirit. Let’s continue to support each other. YEAH!
Roger B
Gay Spirit Visions (GSV)
Annual Retreats and Conferences
