WELCOME TO
25th Annual Gathering of the Gulf Coast Grandmothers!
It is with great pleasure and open hearts that we welcome you to the 2025 Gulf Coast Grandmothers Gathering at Camp Beckwith in Fairhope, AL from October 23-26, 2025. We are honored you have chosen to share this special time with us and hope you feel a sense of peace and belonging as we explore our theme, Illumination: Shining Our Divine Light.
This private webpage is your dedicated resource for the event, providing easy access to the full itinerary, optional activities, and discussion questions. A special thank you to the 2025 Planning Circle—Bobbi Jo, Kim, Stevi, Mary Michael, Brenda Bledsoe, Victoria, Taylor, and Margie for their heartfelt contributions to making this gathering possible.
Our overall goal for the Gathering, which begins with the Opening Ceremony and ends with the Closing Ceremony, is to open our hearts and minds and receive points of light into our lives so we can see ourselves and the world differently.
What to Expect Upon Arrival:
We are gathering from Thursday, October 23, 2025, with check-in from 8:30
AM to 10:00 AM, and will conclude at 12:30 PM on Sunday, October 26,
2025.
CHECK IN:
When you arrive at Camp Beckwith on Thursday morning please stop in at the Alves Administration Building to pick up your name tag, room assignment, and enjoy coffee and a breakfast "bite" with fellow Grandmothers.
*You are encouraged to wear a shawl of your choosing to the opening, closing and elders ceremonies, as well as to your small circles each day.
OPENING CEREMONY:
At 10:00am, we ask all attendees to join us at the chapel as we prepare for the Opening Ceremony with smudging (a smokeless smudging option is available). and the receiving of the Sacred Ashes, carried to the Gathering by Grandmother Penny Baker from Michigan. Music by "SheFolk" will unite us in rhythm and guide us into sacred silence before the Opening Ceremony begins at 10:30am. The Opening Ceremony is our opportunity to invite the Sacred Feminine into our Gathering and place our attention on creating the container of love and connections that will be with us throughout the Gathering. During this time you will be asked to introduce yourself and to place on the altar the item you brought from home that represents your connection to Spirit. That item will remain on the altar until Sunday's Closing Ceremony.
Schedule
On your first day, after the Opening Ceremony, we will join together for lunch, followed by “free time” where you can get unpacked and enjoy the Beckwith grounds. At 3:00 PM we meet with our designated small circles to begin forming the sacred space where our heart connections flourish. Following free time and dinner, we will enjoy the healing energy of a special sound bath and guided meditation, led by Brenda Bledsoe and Rebecca Washburn.
Small Circles
During the Gathering, you will be part of a small circle that meets each day. This is a sacred space designed for you to connect, reflect, and share. Using a set of thoughtfully crafted talking points related to our theme, we will take turns sharing our stories, honoring our voices, and finding peace. This is a powerful reminder of the ancient prophecy: “When the Grandmothers speak, the earth will heal.”
Facilitators in each circle will have a hard copy of the talking points, facilitators will have a single copy for your circle’s use. If you would like your own printed copy, please print from the button below and bring it with them as additional copies will not be provided.
To learn more about the particular peer-spirit circling process used at each Gathering, we encourage you to visit the immensely resourceful Circle Way website. The Circle Way guidelines are the fundamental principles meant to guide each meeting. Many have taken this practice into personal areas for breakthrough communication and mediation between family members or co-workers. Learn more>>
special events
Illumination in action
Join us to hear from four incredible guest speakers who will share how they keep their soulful wisdom burning bright through empowered vision, healing, and stewardship. Our inspiring lineup includes keynote speaker Betsey Grady, a natural intuitive and certified Akashic Records consultant. You’ll also hear from:
• Kathryn Akin, sharing the vital work of Udada Unlimited in Africa.
• Tamlin Allbritten, presenting the transformative power of Art with a Purpose.
• Susan Fontaine Godwin shedding light on how Hope Community, a local nonprofit, cultivates unity through food, healing, and education.
Meditation & sound bath
Fire & drumming ceremony
We gather under the stars by the fire with drums and instruments for an empowering drum circle where we share our spirit and each release to the fire what no longer serves us. We encourage you to bring your drums, rattles, tambourines, sashes, etc. to join in the fun.
Ecstatic Dance
Following the Drum Circle, we will have Ecstatic Dance led by Rebecca Washburn. Ecstatic Dance is a safe welcoming space to listen to the wisdom of your body and explore the creativity of your soul. It is an opportunity to release limiting beliefs and emotional energy that are held in the body and mind and relax into what is present in the moment.
The Croning ceremony
The Croning Ceremony, or Elder Ceremony, is a special circle where those who have reached the age of 70 are honored with a purple shawl and the collective appreciation of all in attendance. It is a time of joy!
For women, reaching the status of Crone can be a major milestone to be celebrated, as Crone is related to the word “crown”. This Croning Ritual is a rite of passage into an era of greater wisdom, increased freedom, and enhanced personal power. More women are reclaiming the name of Crone in a positive way, and see it as a time to joyfully welcome one’s position as an elder within the community.
Daily Activities
01.
Morning Meditations & Yoga
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, starting at 7:00 AM, a sunrise meditation including the calling of directions will be offered at the pier on the beach. A gentle yoga session will follow at 7:30 AM followed by a guided meditation from 8:00-8:30 AM.
02.
Daily Meals
Breakfast will be from 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM each morning. Lunch is from 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM and dinner is served each night from 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM.
03.
Optional Services & Offerings
Along with our planned workshops and activities, we also encourage optional activities such as massage, music, dance, yoga, reiki, tarot, etc. to be offered during the scheduled free time. If you have questions about listing your activity on the bulletin board in the Dining Room, CONTACT Diane Keaten at -- for guidance.
03.
Grandmother Marketplace
A vendor marketplace is available for Grandmothers who have handcrafted or artisanal items to sell during the gathering. Vendors must are asked to donate 20% of their proceeds to our Gathering Scholarship Fund.
The Silent Auction
We look forward each year to see what cherished, eclectic, and unique items get donated to our silent auction. Grandmothers are encouraged to bring something to donate to the auction, and 100% of the proceeds go to our scholarship fund which supports the attendance of grandmothers in need of financial assistance.
Sacred giving, sacred receiving
The Giveaway is a time to honor Sacred Giving and Sacred Receiving through an anonymous gift exchange between your small circle members on the last day of meeting together.
The act of Sacred Giving asks us to part with an item we cherish and allow its joy to grace someone else’s life. Each circle member’s selection of a gift will be guided by Spirit—thus the intention of Sacred Giving and Sacred Receiving is met. Details of this process are linked here.
the last night: Bring Your Bling! Fun Night
On the last evening together, we welcome all to participate in our “Be Your Bling” fun night and talent Showcase. Many dress up for the occasion, typically inline with the theme for the year, or simply just because. Music and laughter, silliness, and sincerity are all found as we celebrate our collective unity and our individual expression.
Things to remember
Good to know list
• Meals are served buffet style and are planned to meet the needs of vegetarians, dairy free and omnivores. If you have additional dietary needs, bring along any special foods that are essential for you. Generally the special needs foods are on a separate table.
• Bring a snack to share for the hospitality room.
• Respectful quiet is requested from 10 PM until 7 AM each day.
• We ask that you honor all ceremonies at the Gathering by being prompt and by wearing a shawl.
• Smoking is not allowed in any of the facilities. Outdoor smoking areas are designated.
• Bring your own drinking container. Bottled water will not be available. You may bring a small cooler for your room with your choice of beverages.
• We ask that alcohol not be consumed until after the evening activities have been concluded.
• No illegal drugs are allowed by Camp Beckwith.
• Dress is comfy casual; the weather in Fairhope will likely be in the 70’s during the day the 50’s at night.
• Linens are provided.
Bring bug spray, a flashlight, and a rain jacket…just in case!
Things to remember
Don't forget list
• Your purple shawl if you an Elder (70 and older) and have been Croned at a previous Gathering.
• Musical instruments and drums, etc.
• Shawls for ceremonies and circles
• Your altar item for the duration of the gathering
• One giveaway gift to be exchanged during small circle on the last day
• Your contribution to the Silent Auction
• Your snack to share in the Hospitality Room
• Your costume if you plan to “dress up” for the "Bling" night
• Flashlight and rain jacket
