Revitalizing UU Women's Groups

Sample Invitation

(Name of Your Retreat and the Location)
(Contact Person)
(Address for the Contact Person)
(Phone and E-Mail Address for the Contact Person)

(Date)

Dear Woman:

(Language From First Universalist’s Letter) Congratulations on taking time to “retreat” at Maiden, Mother, Crone*, A Spa for Your Spirit, April 28–30, 2000, sponsored by the Association of Universalist Women at First Universalist Church. Since January, our Retreat Planning Committee has been busy preparing a rich weekend for UU women seeking spiritual nourishment. We want to share a few highlights with you and suggest some items you may wish to bring to make your time away more enjoyable.

(* See the Croning Ritual for definitions of maiden, mother, and crone.)

About Registration, cost, and our cancellation policy: (Add your details here.)

Speakers: In addition to the quiet activities available at Koinonia, such as collage making, walking the trails and the outdoor labyrinth, we will offer workshops and have also engaged four fine speakers. The Reverend Dillman Sorrells, from Rochester, will speak at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Three chaplains from the Twin Cities: Mary Samuels, Shelley Dugan, and Roberta Haskins, will speak on Saturday evening. Sorrells is a magnificent crone who will talk about ways in which to live fully through the stages of womanhood. While telling her stories, she will show us some of her many quilts, including a grandchild’s quilt with fabric dating back several generations. Samuels will speak on maidenhood, Haskins on motherhood (broadly defined and including the childfree lifestyle), and Dugan on the challenges and joys of becoming a crone. They will share some of the successful crisis management techniques they’ve observed through their work.

The Schedule: Come ready to nurture your spirit, grow, and locate your still, small voice within. You may refer to the enclosure for more information about workshops and other planned activities. Remember that you are coming to the retreat to nurture yourself. Thus, we hope you’ll feel free to choose activities toward that end and not feel pressured to attend gatherings that do not “call” you. Time alone, or with a friend, will always be an option. And, there is a game room with ping pong and pool tables for our use and a sauna that can be fired up in the evening.

Several times during the weekend we’ll form a circle: Friday evening for singing and a circle dance; Saturday before dinner and again at nine p.m. for a bonfire, s’mores, and storytelling; and Sunday for worship at 10:15 a.m. and briefly, after lunch, at 1:30 p.m. for closing.

What is provided: Blankets, sheets, pillows and cases, and a towel and washcloth for each participant. Food will be abundant, including snacks; you needn’t bring any unless you have unique cravings. Even when the kitchen is closed, there is always hot chocolate, milk, hot water, fruit, cereal, and bread available. Chocolate lovers take heart! We’ll make s’mores at the bonfire on Saturday evening!

Things you may wish to bring: Flashlight, bonfire stories, a bathing suit (we’re planning to stoke the fire for the sauna), boots (in case it’s muddy), raincoat, umbrella, earplugs (facilitates sleeping through snoring), slippers and bathrobe, lawnchair, water bottle, journal, bug repellent, any musical instrument you enjoy playing, Rise Up Singing Songbook (if you happen to own one), camera, photos or cutouts for collage if you want something special-otherwise we’ll provide all materials for this craft project.

About sleeping accommodations: We will do our best to make everyone comfortable. Please note that beds are provided in dormitories and, on a limited basis, in double rooms. Priority for double rooms will be given to crones and those with special medical needs; if you are a crone or have a medical condition, and plan to arrive late, please call (Contact Person) at (Phone) or e-mail her at (E-Mail Address) so we may save a room for you.

About car pools: If you are interested in car-pooling, call (Contact Person) at (Phone) or e-mail her at (E-Mail Address). She will try to match up interested parties.

About music: (Contact Person) is looking for someone who plays the piano or guitar to help with music. If you are interested in helping, call (Contact) at (Phone) or e-mail her at (E-Mail Address).

Phone numbers: We look forward to getting to know you at the retreat! If you have further questions, please call (Two Contacts And Phone Numbers). If you need to speak with someone at THE (Name) RETREAT CENTER to request vegetarian or other foods (requires at least ten days notice), call (Contact Name) at (Phone Number) . The phone number to leave with family and friends while you’re away is (Phone Number of the Retreat Center) . Check out time is (Time). If you’re coming on Friday, you may arrive anytime after (Time); if you’re coming Saturday, we suggest that you arrive before (Time).

Sincerely,
The Retreat Committee: (List of Names)

Maiden, Mother, Crone, Spa for Your Spirit, is sponsored by (List of Names)

ENCLOSURES: Map and directions to Koinonia and Schedule of Events

(NOTES: We suggest that you over-enroll slightly to accommodate some attrition. Also, before you make a brochure or send out press releases about your retreat, your planning committee should decide on a cancellation policy and include it with written information about the retreat.)