Margo van Greta
Here is a story about my personal connection with The Work That Reconnects and Active Hope.
How it started
I first heard about Joanna Macy and The Work That Reconnects when I came to live in the Findhorn Community in Scotland in 1991. I had an intense social activist background during the late 70's and 80's in Amsterdam. This was followed by an exploration of an inner revolution. When moving to the Findhorn Community, many people asked me if `I met Joanna Macy, the inspirational founder of The Work That Reconnects, who had visited the Community the previous year. No, I had not met her then, but her vibes and inspiration were still present.
How it started
I first heard about Joanna Macy and The Work That Reconnects when I came to live in the Findhorn Community in Scotland in 1991. I had an intense social activist background during the late 70's and 80's in Amsterdam. This was followed by an exploration of an inner revolution. When moving to the Findhorn Community, many people asked me if `I met Joanna Macy, the inspirational founder of The Work That Reconnects, who had visited the Community the previous year. No, I had not met her then, but her vibes and inspiration were still present.
Joanna Macy, Fran, and support team at The park Ecovillage, Findhorn. around the year 2000.
Meeting Joanna Macy
Joanna Macy's next visit to the Findhorn Community was in 2000 for a weeklong event. I signed up. The organising team was looking for someone to join them, and someone with a Buddhist background would be great. Lucky me, it meant I joined the support team for the week. It was a fantastic opportunity to share meals, and watch closely how she held the sessions. This time I was more in a holding and support roll, helping out behind the scenes.
On two subsequent visits, I was able to really deeply participate in the work. I was touched, amazed, and hooked. It resonated with so many aspects of me.
Joanna Macy's next visit to the Findhorn Community was in 2000 for a weeklong event. I signed up. The organising team was looking for someone to join them, and someone with a Buddhist background would be great. Lucky me, it meant I joined the support team for the week. It was a fantastic opportunity to share meals, and watch closely how she held the sessions. This time I was more in a holding and support roll, helping out behind the scenes.
On two subsequent visits, I was able to really deeply participate in the work. I was touched, amazed, and hooked. It resonated with so many aspects of me.
Joanna Macy, photo by Joan Beard
Study and practice group.
After the last visit a group was formed locally to study and practice the WTR material. We watched some videos of Joanna Macy, discussed, and took turn facilitating sessions. I facilitated a mini Spiral journey with a friend and colleague, where we combined our strengths. We led the group through Gratitude, honouring our Pain for the Work. Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth. It was lovely, supportive, safe and encouraging. I started to get the feeling "I can do this"!
Becoming a Work That Reconnects Facilitator
During that times part of my job was to facilitate transformative courses within one of the organisations of the Findhorn Community. I invited Chis Johnstone, co author of the beautiful book Active Hope, to join. He also happens to live in a nearby village, which was convenient!. We held two on site, weeklong Active Hope courses. It was great to work together, and I learned a lot!
From then on I teamed up with various other facilitators, holding sessions and courses in the Findhorn Community.,
When the COVID crisis het, the work moved online. That gave more access to a wider range of people through webinars and online courses. I also happened to be made redundant from my previous ob, so stepping more into The Work That Reconnects seemed a natural move forward.
The Work That Reconnects Network, the group of dedicated people who are making sure the Work That Reconnects continues, was extremely supportive in providing an infrastructure and organising well attended webinars. I teamed up with WTR facilitator Jackie Buckingham and held webinars and Active Hope/Work That Reconnects courses together for an international audience.
Some of the projects and events are:
Upcoming projects
I have created an annual Work That Reconnects Facilitators Training, the next one starting 16 October 2025. A brand new initiative to train up new facilitators who can bring this work in their own organisations, groups and neighbourhoods. It is a six month experiential online training. Find out more here.
Thank you for reading! If this inspires you to join any of my courses and events, you can find out more here.
Blessings, Margo van Greta
Ecovillage Findhorn, Scotland, 22 July 2023.
Lightly edited and updated: August 2025
After the last visit a group was formed locally to study and practice the WTR material. We watched some videos of Joanna Macy, discussed, and took turn facilitating sessions. I facilitated a mini Spiral journey with a friend and colleague, where we combined our strengths. We led the group through Gratitude, honouring our Pain for the Work. Seeing with New Eyes, and Going Forth. It was lovely, supportive, safe and encouraging. I started to get the feeling "I can do this"!
Becoming a Work That Reconnects Facilitator
During that times part of my job was to facilitate transformative courses within one of the organisations of the Findhorn Community. I invited Chis Johnstone, co author of the beautiful book Active Hope, to join. He also happens to live in a nearby village, which was convenient!. We held two on site, weeklong Active Hope courses. It was great to work together, and I learned a lot!
From then on I teamed up with various other facilitators, holding sessions and courses in the Findhorn Community.,
When the COVID crisis het, the work moved online. That gave more access to a wider range of people through webinars and online courses. I also happened to be made redundant from my previous ob, so stepping more into The Work That Reconnects seemed a natural move forward.
The Work That Reconnects Network, the group of dedicated people who are making sure the Work That Reconnects continues, was extremely supportive in providing an infrastructure and organising well attended webinars. I teamed up with WTR facilitator Jackie Buckingham and held webinars and Active Hope/Work That Reconnects courses together for an international audience.
Some of the projects and events are:
- The local Extinction Rebellion group invited me for a session.
- A staff development session at the Findhorn Foundation during an Internal Conference.
- A beautiful initiative in the UK gave the opportunity to work with climate activists from Stop Oil, Extinction Rebellion and other climate activist groups. They had the option to join several session a week, before or after intense protests. Very rewarding!
- Teaming up with Sharon Took-Zozaya, and friend and dance teacher, creating Dancing into Active Hope.
- Teaming up with Paula Chichester, ex Buddhist nun, who had done 8 years of solitary retreat. We combined our passion for Buddhism and The Work That Reconnects be creating a course on Active Hope and Green Tara.
- Joining Once You Know meets The Work That Reconnects, with a documentary by Emmanuel Cappelin, an intimate journey across the abyss of a world at the edge of climate induced collapse.
- I offered Grief and Grace, with The Work hat reconnects in Buddhist retreat centre Land of Joy.
- I joined the Work That Reconnects organisation as a volunteer in the Facilitator Support team, working with an inspiring and dedicated and passionate group.
- Regular online courses with The Work That Reconnects with a global audience.
- Carbon Action Project in Ecovillage Findhorn September 2025.
Upcoming projects
I have created an annual Work That Reconnects Facilitators Training, the next one starting 16 October 2025. A brand new initiative to train up new facilitators who can bring this work in their own organisations, groups and neighbourhoods. It is a six month experiential online training. Find out more here.
Thank you for reading! If this inspires you to join any of my courses and events, you can find out more here.
Blessings, Margo van Greta
Ecovillage Findhorn, Scotland, 22 July 2023.
Lightly edited and updated: August 2025
