In the organic volunteer way of the Millionth Circle, a group of 7 wanted to be the working circle to plan MC's participation in GTW Congress. This was a first for MC to be a part of something that was being put together by another group. At the Congress each woman would have a choice of four activities on Saturday afternoon. We would be one choice. In a series of 6 or 7 one-hour phone circles we devised a plan for our 90-minute piece of the overall GTW congress.

We decided we could say for sure that we are a grass roots, international volunteer organization of women who believe that by seeding, nurturing, and connecting circles we can facilitate a change in the world. We agreed that meeting in sacred circle allows us to speak from the heart and be heard. Very simple it seems, but getting to that point took a bit of conversation.

Then we decided we wanted the 90 minutes to be the experience of circle as a noun and as a verb. We wanted it to show the efficient use of time that circle can provide. We wanted to be in circle with everyone who came (and we had no way of knowing how many people that would be) and we wanted all voices heard. And, of course, we wanted the field to be one of beauty. We needed flowers, and candles, and a form of smudge that would work in the hotel and not be offensive to scent sensitive people. In keeping with the theme of the Congress we wanted to stay on track with Weaving a World that Works and use this time to be heard and to speak our intentions aloud.

As the telephone circles got closer to the date and the emails circled round and round many pieces came together. We decided to meet in a large circle and break after 15 minutes into small ones of 7. In these circles we would have a leader, each of us and others from the MC. We would pose two questions. We would smudge with boughs of rosemary dipped in water as people came through the door. We would call in the directions, do a centering, get information about circling and go in silence to our small circles. We would have a candle in the center of the large circle and one for each person in the small circles to light and take home. We would bring scarves for the center of each circle and have flowers for the large one. After an hour in our small circles, we would join together again in the big circle and have a closing and a song.

Everything was in place, but what were the questions? After soul searching it was agreed we would ask first, in connection with the themes of this gathering-- "What touches my heart most deeply right now?" And after each person had an opportunity to answer that we would ask, "How might I use myself in our world to help manifest my deepest concerns?"

Although at times it seemed we were planning a world summit of some great magnitude, or that no one would come, or that we would not have it together, we all stayed present with the process. On Saturday in a matter of minutes we transformed the room, set the stage, and were delighted to accommodate about a hundred women. Many people came into the door and smelled the sweetness of the smudge and heard the beautiful Praises To The World chant and sighed as they dropped into this big sacred circle. Every voice was heard and every intention was witnessed. When the small circles rejoined for the ending, there were so many of us that we had to turn sideways to all fit. Hopefully that energy is manifesting out in the world now, as each person is empowered to actualize their intention out in the world.