Claymont’s 50th Event took place October 16 to 20th, 2024. Was it a Reunion, a Work Weekend, a Conference?
Many had voiced opinions beforehand. Some wanted a party, some a work weekend. Others wished to discuss the future of Claymont while many reminded us of the past. “We needed to honor our teachers.” “We needed to look beyond Claymont.”
The planning committee hoped scores would come, no matter what their points of view, concerns, demands, or current involvement. We asked for participation and input. In the end, between seventy and eighty attended.
Early on, I saw an opportunity for graduates of the recent three-month Course of Study. I proposed they come early to prepare the Great Barn outwardly and inwardly. The response to serve was overwhelming.
Event Recap
Our opening reception, held in the Foyer of the Great Barn, was a veritable feast of hors d’oeuvres, thank you Margarita Edmondson! Curtis Ewing, current Board Chair, and Amy Silver, Executive Director of the Society, gave welcoming addresses Wednesday evening.
We sat for morning exercise Thursday and Friday in silence. Standing for the Rukus together was a powerful moment. Saturday, I led Expansion of the Present Moment, adding an adjunct fifty years into the past, fifty years into the future. Sunday morning was again silent with shared Rukus.
Breakfast was silent the first two days only. A daily “housekeeping” meeting followed breakfast. From there we moved onto the movements floor or to observation chairs. Jack Chromey, Sherborne 2, warmed classes up with rhythmic exercises. Debora Rose Longo, Claymont 1, presented The Cross and Joe Naft, Sherborne 2, worked with Fourth Pythagoras.
Outdoor practical work was led by Andrew Breitenberg. House duties were attended to by COS1 graduates. Sign ups for lunch and dinner prep and cleaning up after meals were included as part of practical work for participants.
Open meetings for sharing and exploring the past, present and future filled the afternoons.
Margarita, Claymont 6, also organized the kitchen and meal plans—a work of dedication, stamina, and inner strength. Edward Fanaberia, Sherborne 1 and COS adjunct staff supported the kitchen with inner work tasks. Gary Gomer, Sherborne 1, led bagel-making teams, which manifested at the end of our 50th event.
Special Moments
A simple “remembrance” was held Thursday evening. A representative from each course read the names of those who had passed. Included were the five courses at Sherborne, 1972-1976, and the thirteen (both long and short) courses held at Claymont,1975-1988. Our teachers were also honored.
Friday evening offered something “entirely different.” A talented group of course graduate musicians and singers, ranging from Sherborne 2 to the recent COS, entertained us with rock, blues, and folk tunes. Yes, we were pulled onto the dance floor!
One beautiful fall day, several participants walked up to the Mansion at teatime. We witnessed the installation of a memorial acknowledging enslaved people who built and toiled at Claymont Court. George Rutherford from the NAACP and other Charles Town African American representatives were present. For Georgia DuBose, Claymont 2, this was a long-overdue event she had spent years advocating for. Her son, John-Henry, filmed the unveiling.
Cybee Ford, having grown up at Claymont, gave a very interesting talk about the land, native plants, and restorative work that they have been deeply committed to in recent years.
Jack Chromey presented a slideshow of art from an international zoom group that meets to share their art and inner work. Included was a slideshow of the Great Barn reconstruction shared by Steve Perkins, Sherborne 2.
The Wrap-Up
On our final evening we were treated to Elan Sicroff, Sherborne 2, play from the Gurdjieff/de Hartman repertoire before our final dinner Saturday evening.
A closing meeting was held after breakfast Sunday morning in the meditation room that had contained our energy and sharing for much of the four days of this historic gathering.
Next week I’ll explore my inner experience and thoughts during Claymont’s 50th Event.
Thanks Roberta for writing up of the 50 Reunion, and sharing. It gave a little taste of it, and just as I said to the FB comment “It would be nice to have a review of it”. Thanks for that. Could you put it to the Sherborne/Claymont Group?? I’m sure people would be interested.