The annual meeting of the Continental constellation of Unitarian
Universalist Women and Religion (CCofUUW&R) was held in CA at our
traditional November time. All of us (district conveners and friends) had great
interest in a new feminist book that's becoming popular with UU's: "The
Gender Knot, Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy" by Allan G. Johnson,
Rosemary Matson, most recent past co-convener of CCofUUW&R says that: "The patriarchal system of our male-dominated culture is ...a source which rewards dominance and control in domestic, national and international arenas. An important aspect of Johnson's argument deals with the confusion of individuals with the culture, of men who assume that blame is directed toward them personally. ...In his final chapter, Johnson writes about the benefits for men in substituting an egalitarian for a patriarchal culture."
To further CCofUUW&R's continental quest to liberate "all humanity and the earth from effects of historical hierarchical indoctrination" (quoted from our mission statement), we decided on these 4 focus points:
I sure hope there will be lots of us from JPD W&R attending GA this year as delegates from our congregations. Beside the fun and intellectual stimulation we'll have together, we get to vote for our new UUA president, too. I am helping to write a CCofUUW&R letter questioning the candidates and will let you know the outcome of their answers.
W&R AND UUWF (UU Women's Federation) BRIDGING UPDATE
The Bridging Committee, described in the Fall WOMUUNWEB, continues to make good progress on a proposal for reconciliation. It's due to be completed in time for the UUWF board meeting in January.
OUR SPECIAL KIND OF STUDY/ACTION ISSUE
At the next UUA General Assembly, we'll be voting the final version of
"Responsible Consumption As a Moral Imperative" into an official
Statement of Conscience for us to act upon, politically. The study packet has
arrived in your church office. My church,
On December 9, at
COMMISSION ON APPRAISAL APPROACHED FOR THEIR NEXT STUDY P CCof UUW&R is
seeking approval from the Commission to do their next study on "How has
our
CREATING SAFE CONGREGATIONS
UU's for Right Relations is the name of that organization that deals with how we are all responsible to make our congregations places of peace, liberty and justice. The CCofUUW&R has chosen me to be a liaison with UU's for Right Relations. In their letter of introduction sent to me, they said, "Unitarian Universalists for Right Relations is a grass roots organization of dedicated UU clergy and laity who have worked to address the multiple issues of misconduct and right relations. It was born in June 1991, when the UUWF and the Women and Religion Committee issued a Call to action in response to clergy sexual misconduct. The Call was for breaking the silence around these issues...". What appeals to me most about their work is their development of methods for managing differences, covenanting and for healing opportunities through their "listening circles". Helen Popenoe
TRANSITIONS from JPD Convenership to Continental Convenership
My tenure as the JPD W&R Convener ended at the beginning of this
churchyear so I could become a co-convener of the CCofUUW&R. The new
co-conveners are Beth Levenbach and Nuala Carpenter. They plan to get out a
welcoming letter to the Womanlinks as soon as possible. The
JPD
We get together in
THOUGHTS FROM JENNIFER ABERCROMBIE'S (All Souls Church)
A small but enthusiastic delegation representing JPD's Women & Religion
came to
Not surprisingly, our group was not the only UU representation at this event. Attracted by our UU W&R signs, other UU's in attendance stopped by to say hello throughout the day and one family, brought to the event by the urgings of their teenage daughter, even joined us for a portion of the march.
If you weren't able to the attend the march, it's still definitely not too
late to get involved. The march in
http://www.ffq.qc.ca/marche2000/en/carte.php3
If you support the goals of the World March of Women 2000, namely, the
elimination of poverty and violence against women, see what you can accomplish
at your local church. The full text of the demands of the march and supporting
information provide background information and facts that can be used as a
springboard to action.
Demands of the March:
http://www.ffq.qc.ca/marche2000/en/cahier/liste.html
Advocacy Guide:
http://www.ffq.qc.ca/marche2000/en/cahier/index.html
Jennifer Abercrombie has also created Microsoft Word versions of these documents which she would be happy to provide. Contact her at abercrja@yahoo.com or 202 332 4958 (evenings and weekends).
The World March of Women 2000 activities officially culminated on Oct. 17,
but two other women-focused events are just on the horizon. The tenth annual 16
Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is scheduled from November 25 through
December 10, 2000 which is inspired by the Mirabel sisters (feminist martyrs in
the Dominican Republic), World AIDS Day, the Montreal Massacre, and
International Human Rights Day. Interested parties are encouraged to learn more
about the five year review of the
http://www-rci.rutgers.edu/%7Ecwgl/16days00/16daysindex.htm
Also, don't forget that March is National Women's History Month. This year's theme is "An Extraordinary Century for Women - Now, Imagine the Future!" The National Women's History Project is an excellent source of material and ideas. Check out their website at http://www.nwhp.org or order a catalog from 707 838-6000. For materials focusing specifically on UU's, contact the Unitarian Universalist Women's Heritage Society at 781-321-3979 or on the web at http://www.uuwhs.org. Among their offerings are a four-poster series on famous women UU's and a videotape, Women's Rights Anniversary Celebration 1998-2000.
THOUGHTS FROM CHRIS SCHMITTHENNER (
I arrived at the gathering for the World March for Women to witness a rich
diversity of women from around the globe. Busloads of women had come from
At one point I thought: there should be more celebrities here: powerful women, such as Joan Baez, Holly Near, Hillary Clinton and Tipper Gore. Later I was reminded that the march was about the empowerment of ALL women, from all corners of the world and all walks of life. It's nice to have celebrities advocating for us, but ultimately WE all must demand and protect our rights.
It was wonderful to see women from different continents posing together for photos. I regretted not bringing a camera to capture the wonderful diversity of the crowd, but the visual and emotional feast offered at the March will stay with me for a long time.
I was happy to be with other UU's (including one man) to demonstrate our solidarity with all women demanding a just and peaceful world. It was a truly uplifting experience.
SUSAN STEPHEN'S NEWS FROM
We currently have two women's spirituality groups meeting, one (closed to new members) on Mondays once a month, and one that is currently open to newbies that meets on Thursdays once a month. I can't tell you much about them, as I have been unable to attend, but they are meeting. We had a great fundraiser for some city kids and treated them to a children's play being performed at our church -- that was church-wide. No other special news re: womuun from TUUC. Stay warm as the winter circles round.
MARSHA WHITE'S NEWS FROM ACCOTINK
Accotink will offer the last 7 sessions of "Rise Up and Call Her Name" in early 2001. The first 6 sessions were offered in the fall for a nominal materials fee, plus the cost of the book.
A group from the Women's
The Accotink Women's
A new outdoor ceremonial circle and an additional 100 yards of nature trail were constructed by church families and others as a part of an Eagle Scout project. Design plans for the circle and use guidelines for this sacred space are now underway.
SUSAN STILL'S NEWS FROM
Full Circle invites men, women, and youth of all ages to celebrate the Winter Solstice YULE, Sunday, Dec. 17th. - 4:30 - 5 for Sunset Walking Meditation, 5 - 6 for Crafts and Snacking, 6 - 7:30 for Sacred Circle and Feasting afterward. To RSVP, contact Susan still@toad.net or 410/544-7529.
Also at Annapolis -
Jubilee, A small group for women in the middle - Contact Lani Wheeler laniwheeler@pol.net to join this group
"for women in the middle of life - the middle of transition - the middle
of a beginning or the middle of an end. We invite you to join us on the third
Monday of each month; 7:30 -9:00."
Also at
Full Moon Women's Circle celebrates on Dec. 11. Cost is $8.00 for the evening.
Call Andrea at 410/721-7624.
Leave the stress, job, kids and husband behind and join other CMC women for intellectually stimulating conversation, laughs and dessert. First book: "Women Who Run With Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Starts December 5th. At 7:30. Please, read the first chapter for this meeting. Call Cathie Vincent, 410/788-3101, for questions and directions.
Will be held on December 17th, upstairs in
"THE FIRST DUTY OF A HUMAN BEING
is to assume the right relationship to society - more briefly, to find your
real job, and to do it." Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Sign up to get your UU
Women's Heritage Society's inspirational calendar from me before Dec. 20th. If
we have 15 orders, we'll get a 15% discount. It's regular price is $13. This
beautiful wall calendar features thirteen Unitarian and Universalist women plus
hundreds of quotes and birthdates and phases of the moon. Want to see last
year's to get an idea of its looks? I'll have a copy at the Solstice Service,
12/17. Helen Popenoe, 301/229-0549 or hpop@bellatlantic.net
Many thanks to Al Carlson, GWA Webmaster, for publishing this WOMUUNWEB ISSUE #2 on the GWA website (www.gwa.jpd.uua.org). Respectfully submitted by Helen Popenoe, December. 1, 2000.