Rise Events

17/03/2024

🍽️ Join us at our next Canberra Gathering 🎶

Sunday, 14th April, 10am-12pm

Enjoy a delicious brunch and admire the autumn trees across Canberra from the roof top at the beautiful Leyla Bar, Barton ACT.

The Heart of Creativity - Explore the joy of living a inspired life with .ware.harpist

Join with others and discuss about how to live a life of creativity and improvisation. Discover together what is one thing you can do to move your creativity forward!

Limited spots available – book your tickets now!

The early bird offer lasts till the 31st March 💃

https://events.humanitix.com/canberra-gathering

Don’t miss this enriching experience hosted by our ACT Ambassador,

29/02/2024

UPDATE: Full article in comments!

So delighted to have Sanctuary, Canberra be featured in this weeks edition of Canberra Weekly!

Would you like to find out more about what we do or connect with our community? Please reach out to me!

Lauren

Thank you Canberra Daily for sharing a little of our story and vision of what we are creating at Sanctuary, in this week’s edition of Canberra Weekly!

Want to find out more or connect with our community? Please reach out to us!

We’d love to meet you.

Lauren + Tania + Joanne

11/11/2023

30/10/2023

SPOTLIGHT ON AT HER TABLE

At Her Table has been created for women to explore, share and celebrate their spirituality.

It is the mission of At Her Table to make the world a more connected place by gathering women for conversation and true community, in ways that align with our values. We foster a supportive environment where women from diverse backgrounds can connect, exchange wisdom, delve into meaningful conversations and thrive in their various seasons of life.

A special thank you to Craig Fairweather, Tom Navakas and The Mill House Ventures team, Kirstyn Smart Photography and Teagan Glenane and Mon and Abbey and the Digital Storytellers team for working with me to bring this beautiful impact reel to life.

We create a safe and empowering haven for women in all seasons of life, to freely explore, share and celebrate their spiritual journey in a contemporary way....

30/10/2023

At Her Table

Early bird tickets for our second Gathering are available now! Rosemary Gattuso will be our guest host, discussing Overcoming overthinking: Turning this potential hinderance into an empowering asset and vehicle for growth.

Come together with our wider network of wonderful women and share the joy of community!

Early bird tickets close tomorrow!! Secure via the link in our bio while our Bring a Friend offer remains available (2 for $100).

💛 Book here 👇🏻

https://events.humanitix.com/at-her-table-canberra-gathering

Early bird tickets for our second Gathering are available now! Rosemary Gattuso will be our guest host, discussing Overcoming overthinking: Turning this potential hinderance into an empowering asset and vehicle for growth.

Come together with our wider network of wonderful women and share the joy of community!

Early bird tickets close soon. Secure via the link in our bio while our Bring a Friend offer remains available (2 for $100).

18/10/2023

Venue: Sanctuary, Canberra
📸 by Kirstyn Smart Photography

05/10/2023

💛

We have set the table for you, ready for next Sunday! Join us at Sanctuary Canberra on October 15 for our very first Gathering. Learn more about At Her Table by joining us in meaningful conversation about the seasons of life and making space for you, alongside special guest Sally Dooley.

Tickets available here: https://bit.ly/3EFbXVs

31/08/2023

COMING SOON

Are you longing for a community where you are welcomed, just as you are?

We are setting the Table for you. Stay tuned 💛

We’re so excited to start this new venture, so please head over to At Her Table for more updates and to come on this journey with us.

17/11/2022

Hey Friend,

🎄 It’s time to CELEBRATE! 🥂

You’re invited to join us for an afternoon of festive celebration and for our final gathering for this year, on Saturday 26th November between 3pm and 5pm.

I am hosting a fabulous afternoon for you to gather with others in our Rise Community in Canberra at the gorgeous Leyla Bar on the roof top of the Burbury Hotel in Barton.

Some platters of delicious cheese and charcuterie will be provided. You’re welcome to purchase your beverage of choice from the bar.

I really hope to see you there!

There are tickets on sale via our website with RSVP due on Wednesday - Rise Members $25 and Friends $35

Lauren x

Link to tickets here; https://www.iwillrise.com.au/gatherings/rise-christmas-party

27/10/2022

Hey Friend! 👋🏻

Hope you’re well!

Yesterday afternoon I sent out an email newsletter to our subscribers that was all about Reflecting and Refining. Did you receive it?

If not, don’t worry, I can flick you one today - just send me a message with your email address.

Inside the newsletter I shared that I have been taking some time recently to reflect on the past year through all its seasons of joyful highs and challenging times - and spending time refining and listening to what the next chapter is for me personally and for our flourishing Rise community.

I flicked through my diary and was SO surprised to calculate that Rise has hosted (or partnered with) over 95 events or gatherings (!!) in the past 12 months and connected virtually or in person with over 400 incredible women in our growing network including our 35 Rise Members.

I am feeling so grateful!!

But, I am also feeling a little weary, so I will be giving myself a little breather from hosting gatherings for the remainder of the year before we kick things off again for Rise in the new year.

I’ll share more with you soon about the plans we have for 2023 (or you can read the newsletter 😉)

As always I LOVE to hear how you are and am available for a cuppa (virtually or in person) to support you or connect you with others in our growing network.

Reach out anytime.

Lauren x

27/10/2022

Hey Friends,

I’d love to connect you with Sally Dooley from Women Shining. Sally is passionate about helping women develop their leadership, entrepreneurial and creative capability and gifts and has worked with leaders in public, private and church sectors for over 20 years.

Sally is our Member Spotlight for this month and I am so excited to share that she is launching her live workshop next month - visit her website womenshining.org to register.

Connect. Create. Retreat.
“My biggest challenge has been prioritising time for connection. I can’t survive without connection to God, but it is easy for me as a busy mother and business owner who is often giving to others, to not take time to allow others to give to me. Over the last 12 months, I have been much more intentional about making time to connect with others, and also inviting trusted friends into the challenges that I face, and accepting their support!”

Hi everyone, I’m Sally, owner of Sally Dooley Leadership which is coming up to being 12 years old! I accidentally landed in the personal and leadership development space very early in my career and knew that I had found my passion. I have moved between working for the public sector, then as a past...

29/09/2022

Hi Friend!

Today I held another nourishing At The Table in Canberra’s south at Eighty Twenty Cafe with Sue, Tessa, Gen and Imogen!

Today our table topic was on New Beginnings.

We shared many stories and reflected about the new buds and the new shoots of Spring, new projects, new work and opportunities in new locations.

We also reflected on when times may feel sparse and ‘stick like’ that we are reminded that there is hope of new things to come and to remember to look down at the roots that are deeply planted below.

You may like to reflect on this theme of new beginnings in your life today too and drop me a message anytime!

Lauren x

15/09/2022

🤍

09/09/2022

“It is our mission to make the world a more connected place by gathering women for conversation and true community, in ways that align with our values.

Our vision is to be a leading network that empowers women across the globe to explore, share and celebrate their individual Christian spiritual journey.

We hope by hosting gatherings (At Her Table) and soul nourishing events, we will help facilitate genuine conversations filled with kindness.”

— Lauren Harkness, Founder of Rise

05/09/2022

Hello friend. 👋🏻

Yesterday I caught up with Tania and Sue for At The Table. It was such a delight to spend time with them and for us all to get to know each other a bit more.

Did you know that Rise is a movement of women who are seeking true connection and community?

We are a network of passionate, creative, vibrant, professional, loving, hospitable, friendly and welcoming women across Australia and we would LOVE to connect with you!

Rise is a community where you will be met, just as you are. We are a community with events and gatherings that nourish your whole self.

Whatever season of life you are in, we will meet you where you’re at. We promise to connect with you and journey with you.

Come and join us!
We can’t wait to get to know you.

Lauren x

02/09/2022

Are you seeking a community where you are welcomed, just as you are? A space for you to “fill your cup” and a space for you to encounter hospitality and love surrounded by other incredible women just like you?

Rise is here and ready for you with open arms! 🤗 (and let’s face it, likely a cheese board too 😁)

Let’s connect!
Book a cuppa (virtual or in Canberra) with me via the link www.iwillrise.com.au 🫖 I would love to meet you and listen to your story.

I can’t wait to get to know you and connect you with our community of incredible women.

Lauren x

29/08/2022

Last week I chatted with a lady who is new to the Rise community about our At Her Table gatherings.

She asked me whether it was the right “place” for her as she was “not religious” and was hesitant whether she would feel comfortable. I just wanted to share with you here, if this is something you have wondered too, that it is my hearts desire for each woman to feel safe, nourished and loved when they encounter Rise.

In the example of our At Her Table gathering, there are seats at the table for those who are simply longing for connection and community, for those who are unsure who God is, seats for those with faith as small as mustard seeds and seats for those who have a deep relationship with God. We will meet you where you are at.

I have been gathering around tables with some incredible women across various locations around Canberra over this past week - forming connection and building community. It has been such a gift to spend time with these women and enjoy such rich conversation, laughter, make new connections and eat some yummy food.

I really do hope to save you a seat at our table some day soon.

At The Table - Canberra South
🗓 Thursday 1st September
At at 12pm

At The Table - Canberra North
🗓 Thursday 1st September
At @10.yards at 7pm

Visit our website for more gathering dates and details.

Lauren x

09/08/2022

Looking forward to catching up with our Rise member, and host of Heart Stories Valerie Albrecht today for a cuppa!

Valerie recently had her thoughts published about “Food and Spirituality - Bringing People Together” by Eremos Australian Journal of Spirituality in April.

“The act of eating causes us to pause from other activities, to slow down, hopefully to sit down and become aware of the sensory experience and enjoyment of eating. Food sustains not only our physical, intellectual and emotional work and life, but also our spiritual work and life.”

Valerie specifically highlights Food and Spirituality at Rise - the monthly ‘At the Table’ gatherings are hosted where people are welcomed to slow down, be listened to and to share stories over sumptuous and abundant food.

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We are hosting our next At The Table gathering in Canberra in the city on Monday 22nd August at 5:30pm. We will meet in the lounge bar at the Ovolo Nishi, order a cheese platter and spend time in community. Our Table Topic is on Courage and this is a place of connection and belonging and an invitation to share stories of life. All are welcome! RSVP via our website.

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At The Table - The Cheese Edition
Ovolo Nishi Canberra
Monday 22nd August
5:30pm to 7pm
$25 Rise Member
$30 Guest

www.iwillrise.com.au

28/07/2022

What does the word joy mean to you?⁠
⁠
The true definition of joy goes beyond the limited explanation presented in a dictionary — “a feeling a great pleasure and happiness.” ⁠
⁠
True joy is limitless. Joy blooms through connection. Joy is a choice purposefully made.⁠
⁠
The joy of the Lord is your strength. ⁠
Neh 8:10

27/05/2022

A busy day for me on Wednesday this week with a quick day trip to the “big smoke” Sydney;

The Highlights
👉🏻 Delicious (strong!) coffee at the Canberra airport at 6am ONA Coffee
👉🏻 Sitting in the back row of the teeny tiny plane ✈️
👉🏻 Meeting with the Rise Advisory Committee
👉🏻 At The Table lunch and catching up with Michelle Door 20A
👉🏻 Chats with Director of Growth and Innovation at the Uniting Church NSW & ACT offices in Pitt Street
👉🏻 Getting on an earlier flight home so I could see my girls in time for cuddles before bed.

It was a fruitful day with wonderful conversations and exciting opportunities ahead.

Can’t wait to share more updates and developments with you over the next few months.

Lauren
Rise Founder

16/05/2022

"Joy is not happiness. It is not shallow. It is not even being grateful for the trials. Joy is born of gratitude, sure: gratitude for God and God’s enduring love and faithfulness. Love that leads us to trust in God’s abiding presence with us through trials and celebrations.

Joy allows us to appreciate small miracles in the midst of seemingly endless trouble. Gratitude, as a general posture, leads us to pay attention and learn from mistakes, from pain, even from tragedy. But we do not have to pretend to be glad the trials and tragedies happened. Joy is honest, gritty, an enduring light through the dark.

Faith is our joy, light and strength empowering us to endure, persist, to keep moving through the dark."

- Excerpt from Sarah Agnew's reflection featured on our Members Blog "Empowered to endure" - link is below:
https://www.iwillrise.com.au/members/blog-post-empoweredtoendure

12/04/2022

KIND WORDS

“What a better way to end a hectic week than to stop, relax connect and enjoy a cup of tea than a Sunday Selah.

This month I joined the very talented Tania Vrancic for an afternoon to create with clay! It was a fabulous afternoon to connect with other ladies, learn something new, sip on a beautiful tea in a calming and rejuvenating setting of The Sanctuary.

This year I promised myself that I would find ways to connect with myself, to find time to really be present and enjoy the simple pleasures that life has to offer and this was the perfect way to do that. My heart was full of laughter, love and relaxation by the time I left. You will love the space, the company and the opportunity to stop, breath and relax. Make a date with yourself and the Sunday Selah, you will not regret it!”

Nadene

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Our next Sunday Selah is on Sunday 1st May.
Will you join us?

www.iwillrise.com.au

27/03/2022

Looking back! 💫
This time last week we held our first Sydney Gathering for ladies in our community at the gorgeous Queen Victoria Building in the city.

It was a wonderful afternoon of connection filled with delicious food, heart filled conversation.

Lauren shared at the gathering about the journey of Rise from where it began to the flourishing of Sanctuary and hopes for the future. Stories were shared on behalf of members and encouragement received by the relationship in the Uniting Church in Australia.

It was unanimous that we were all feeling weary and yearning for a space to retreat. Our prayer and hope is that we will continue to create spaces for our growing community to gather, connect, create and retreat - may we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

💫 Rise is a community for women to grow and flourish in life, faith and business. We do this by way of creating gatherings, events and retreats, for women across the country to connect with and support each other.

FIND OUT MORE
👇🏻
www.iwillrise.com.au

08/03/2022

Today is International Women’s Day and on this day, and all days, we want to support women everywhere.

Today we are also delighted to be celebrating the immense contribution of women in our community and proud to share that our Founder, Lauren was named today on a list of "inspiring women of the Uniting Church" in Australia.

"Lauren has a gift for bringing people together for mutual support and encouragement. She is the founder and Managing Director of Rise Events + Sanctuary based in Canberra. She is also the creator of Rise Up, a network of women in business. Lauren has created spaces for women to explore together the Christian story and spirituality, to name their experiences of the sacred and to grow in faith and wholeness. Women are finding their way back to their own entrepreneurship because of Lauren's encouragement and support, and a new Christian community is emerging in the space of St Aidan's church. Lauren's vision has been years in gestation and is bearing rich fruit."

We would LOVE to hear of other amazing women in your community making an impact through leadership, witness and service! Let us know below so we can celebrate together.

To read the full article visit the link: https://uniting.church/celebratingucawomen/

05/03/2022

If you are looking for something fun to do this afternoon please join us for Sunday Selah at 3pm at Sanctuary.
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This time we will be making a collage mood board while listening to live classical guitar and chatting to new and old friends.​​​​​​​​
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You do not need to be crafty as long as you can use scissors and a glue stick, it will be fun.​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​
For all the details simply send us a DM today.
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Hope to see you then,​​​​​​​​
Tania + Lauren
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Tania_Vrancic_artist

26/02/2022

Community and connection is at the heart of Rise.

You're invited to join Rise Founder, Lauren Harkness for a slow Sunday afternoon gathering with High Cheese and bubbly at the gorgeous venue, Reign in the Queen Victoria Building on Sunday 20th March at 3pm.

Come and meet with friends and make new connections at our first event in Sydney for 2022. We hope to see you there!

Show us a ❤️ below if you'd like to join us.

07/02/2022

NESTLE INTO THE RISE
To nestle is to lean gently.

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to join a community where you feel safe enough to nestle into the folds of love and acceptance and where you can be comfortable to truly be yourself?
A community where you can feel safe to share your times of joy and also the moments that are testing or challenging?
We invite you to show up and lean in.
We will gently welcome you.
We will meet you where you are at.

One gathering this week at Sanctuary is At The Table and it is a lovely way to gently show up and see how we are doing business in a different Light. We'd love to meet you.

11/12/2021

Selah, selah
breathe in, breathe out
slow down, be still
breathe in, breathe out
selah, selah

Shalom, shalom
Sacred, Divine
our source, our peace
Sacred, Divine

Rest – rest
withdraw, retreat
be well, be whole
withdraw, retreat

Selah with us tomorrow, Sunday morning, at Sanctuary at 7:30am.
You are welcome to join us.
Come as you are.