Read below or click here to learn how you can support them directly.

(and a way to help Ukrainian refugees)

Just as many parts of the world gained cautious optimism that we might be turning the corner on COVID-19, the war in Ukraine erupted, destroying lives and property, and forcing over a million Ukrainians to flee for their lives. Collectively, we’ve begun to realize that it is not only Ukraine that was attacked, but also our fragile emerging experience of peace among the world’s great powers.

Many of the men of Illuman, our families, partners, and communities are asking: Why? What is ours to do in response? We experience fear, outrage, anger, compassion—all at once....

Last month we sent a link with a request for you to update your personal information, interests, and communication preferences (i.e., how often you want to hear from us and about what topics). Your response is very important! This information will help us improve the way we communicate with you and better understand what resources would be most relevant to your spiritual journey.

Illuman is focusing on outreach and visibility, and we need your help. Last month, we began by sending the Drumbeat to any brothers connected to our local Chapters who weren’t already on our newsletter list. Welcome to our new readers! We also invited each reader to share their areas of interest with us so we can ensure that what you see from Illuman better suits your own needs and interests.

As the next step, we are inviting you to engage with us on social media. Currently, Illuman relies on Facebook to inform, educate, and promote our work. Our first ask is to Like our page if you have not already done so. If you do not use Facebook, please consider creating an account here and then Liking us. I joined Facebook purely to further Illuman outreach and you can too....

Illuman’s signature event, this 5-day, 4-night experience awakens men to the adventure and mystery of their own masculinity, their deep spirituality, their potential for leadership, and their life’s purpose. The MROP builds on the classic patterns of male initiation through simple and moving rituals and teaching. 

We are looking for young men who are ready to move fully from boyhood to manhood. Young Men’s Rites of Passage is 5 days/4 nights of formal male initiation for men ages 19–29. The program is a deeply prayerful and soulful experience that builds on the classic patterns of male initiation through simple and moving rituals and teaching. Each day you will be out in nature and engaged in ritual, drumming, Council, elder talks, silence, and solo-wilderness time.

First Rites of Passage is for middle-school-age boys and their fathers or male elders, introducing them to Illuman’s Rites of Passage. This weekend experience will include bonfires, storytelling, Native American legends and lore, rituals, and time apart in rugged Missouri wilderness at Shannondale, deep in the Ozarks.

This on-line retreat invites men to explore the importance of solitude as a vehicle for coping with loss, set in the context of differences in styles of coping and grief. Daniel Duggan (pastor, chaplain and educator) will lead this Lenten experience. He is author of Men, Grief and Solitude: A Different Perspective available through Amazon.

Designed to meet new dads at a moment when life has initiated them into fatherhood. Meetings are just one hour each week. If you are a new or soon-to-be dad, then this course is for you! If there is someone like this in your life who might be interested in our journey together, please share this with them and encourage them to join us!

M.A.L.E. ANON

(held virtually on Zoom)

Illuman is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose vision is to see men transforming men and, through them, families and communities for generations to come. Our mission is to engage those seeking a life-long journey of spiritual transformation.