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Appendixes

Appendix J:  How to Organize a Women’s Sunday

There is a long tradition, in the Unitarian Universalist Church, of honoring the work of women, from the historic female leaders of the origins of the denomination, to the current leaders in local congregations.

The Unitarian-Universalist Women’s Heritage Society is a font of knowledge about women in the church who have made an impact, not only on their congregations, but also on their communities and federal policy nationwide. Appendix G lists just some of the materials available to congregations.

A small committee of volunteers might plan a service with music by or about women and performed by women. They might display art created by women. The cover design of the order of service might be done by a woman of the church. To illustrate women’s issues, readings by and about women might be chosen. And the speaker for the worship service might be the minister or someone from the community who would speak to issues of importance to women.

It is most important to get approval first from the ministerial staff, to set a date, to develop a plan, and then to report back as the project progresses. A major concern is to assure the clergy that such a service would be appropriate, well prepared, and of the high quality expected by the congregation. The committee will want to explain the project to the music/choir directors, the office staff, a worship committee, and even the usher and greeter leadership, so that all were on board and comfortable with the idea.

You’ll want to decide “Are we doing this as a statement to raise consciousness about women, or are we doing it as a gift to the church?” The committee will want to discuss the attitudes in the congregation before planning the event as issue-oriented. It depends on the time and the social mindset of the congregation. When you’re planning a special Sunday, you need decide why you’re doing it; what is your purpose.

One planning committee listed the goals they shared for the special Sunday. They included:

It is helpful to develop a theme that might be carried on for several years. (First Universalist’s AUW group developed a theme of “River of Life” and commissioned a special piece of art to hang as a focal point for the services. The theme was planned to carry through for several years, and was to be an expression of the stages of life.)

You’ll want to get speakers who are obviously good and interesting. Then you might add something different from what is done on regular Sundays, like a drumming or speaking choir. Invite any women in the congregation to participate, knowing that special choir practices will be held just for that event. It means coordinating carefully with the church’s music and/or choir directors, because extra practice sessions mean more work for them.

If special music, choirs, drummers or dancers are desired, you must be aware of participants’ exhaustion points, because they’re already busy, and you’re adding another layer to their lives. They may participate once, but maybe not want to again, because of the extra time it takes. You have to be ready to let go of some things when people wear out.

The order for creating a Women’s Sunday service

  1. Get permission from the minister(s) to have a Sunday. Communication with them is critical. Assure them that the end product will be one of quality. Keep them informed as you go.
  2. Plan ahead. For a simple service, plan at least three months ahead. For a big event, such as an anniversary or including a workshop, start working a year ahead.
  3. Meet with others who are interested in the project. Discuss what you want to accomplish: is this a consciousness-raising event about issues, or is it a gift to the congregation, or is it both?
  4. Determine a theme. Brainstorm speakers appropriate to the theme.
  5. Take the ideas to the board of the women’s group for approval. If there is any kind of budget, it is important to pay the speaker. A small congregation might start by asking a member of the congregation to speak on a subject of their expertise, or perhaps someone in the community who fits the program theme.
  6. Work with the speaker to determine music, readings, and other parts of the service, so that person is comfortable with the program, and so the program follows the theme.
  7. Report back to the minister(s) as the service is finalized. Will there be special pieces: dance, movement, drumming, art included?
  8. If it’s desired to have all the ushers and greeters be women for the service, that may necessitate coordinating with the chairs of those groups.
  9. Work out the order of worship so the office staff or volunteers may prepare the Sunday printed material.
  10. Plan and host a reception after the service, if only as part of the coffee hour, so congregants may meet and chat with the speaker. It may be desirable to have instrumental music during the reception, live or on tape.
  11. Send thank you notes to the speaker, as well as any special participants in the service, and the music/choir director(s), if they have had a part to play in the event.

According to Pat Gottschalk, chief designer for the early First Universalist Women’s Sundays, “Awareness of our Association of Universalist Women (AUW) has skyrocketed in the congregation because of these services, but it took a while to get it started and to make an impact.”

A Larger Event

Here are suggestions for the preparations needed for a larger event, perhaps a Women’s Sunday Service, preceded or followed by a workshop with the speaker. This is considerably more work for everyone. For the big church, this event requires year-long planning ahead and separate committees for the service and for the workshop. For a small congregation, it may not require quite the same amount of time or personnel.

  1. Begin as you did when planning for only the worship service.
  2. Budget for the speaker’s fee for both pieces of the event (Fundraising to support the project may be needed.)
  3. Confirm the theme for both events with the speaker, and determine what parts of the workshop that person will perform. (The theme for the 1st Universalist 2005 workshop event was “Retreat into the Luminous Depths,” featuring The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, and dealt with spiritual practices for UUs.)

There are many variables to consider. Here are some brainstormed and considered for the event held at First Universalist:

Physical space needs:

Celebration aspects:

Ambiance:

Practical needs:

Concerns: