Still hummin' from the beautiful weekend in Kenosha and Racine Wisconsin at the 29th UU Women's Connection Fall Retreat October 21-23.

The waters of the world blessing given by [retreat leader] Peggy and a couple dozen of the participants who walked the 5 minutes to the shore, was so appropriate on the ocean that is Lake Michigan ... Foot prints in the sand, tide pools teeming with life, water well-wishers collecting chips of glass and shells worn by motion and the dynamic nature of the the water's edge. No other shore in sight, demonstrating the vastness and mystery of this body of water. Curiosity and lure of the harbor fishing sites by the hotel where fishermen caught King Salmon who came to spawn; giant covered-for-winter sailboats look like icebergs from our hotel vantage point. Kind generosity of Heather Poyner and Carley Mattimore and Claudine Miller, Juli and Sage and so many other workshop leaders who had something juicy to share.

Thanks to planners and those in attendance for makng it a memorable weekend and something to look forward to next year.

Visit our Facebook group for more photos!

“WHY MARGARET FULLER MATTERS”
TRAVELING DISPLAY

“Why Margaret Fuller Matters” is a series of text-and-image panels designed to answer the fundamental question of why this great nineteenth-century figure remains important two centuries after her birth. Multiple copies will allow various libraries, community organizations, and Unitarian Universalist congregations to present the display.

For those who have heard of Margaret Fuller only through her connection with her colleagues, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bronson Alcott, Elizabeth Peabody, and other Transcendentalists, the display will allow them to honor Fuller’s own ideas and contributions. For those who have never heard of Fuller, the display will reveal how her work impacted the actors of the “second revolution” of the nineteenth century—those who dedicated themselves to applying the ideals of the American (“first”) Revolution through courageous actions grounded in revolutionary philosophy and literature.

The ten colorful 24-inch x 18-inch foam core panels that comprise “Why Margaret Fuller Matters” include: an introductory panel; brief sketches of her key colleagues; a chronological telling of her life and her views on women’s rights, education (especially female), class, slavery, American Indian rights, religion, Transcendentalism, her world view as a trans-nationalist, and her vision of a just world.

The Fall 2011 issue of UU World contains a letter from Rev Dr Linnea Pearson mentioning two of the foremothers of the Women and Religion Resolution, Lucile Longview and Rosemary Matson.

UU World's Summer 2011 issue has an article on the impact of women ministers in the UUA by Carolyn Owen-Towle. She mentions the Ministerial Sisterhood, a group that seems to have disappeared from view. A photo of their banner is at right.

As I've traveled to a handful of places (like General Assembly) I have frequently heard requests for "more chalice jewelry!" So I've been keeping a lookout for more. If you saw us at GA this year you noticed we did have new ones by Charlot Martin and Jordan Gribble. One day a woman stopped by to talk to us about something and I couldn't help admiring the flame-shaped chalice pendant she wore. So we got to talking about it and kept in touch.

K Robins' website describes this sterling silver pendant as being 2"x2" but it is actually a more moderate 3/4" by 1-1/2". Solid yet lightweight, this pendant floats nicely on the silk cord that comes with it. I don't find it turned backwards when I'm wearing it the way some of my other jewelry tends to end up. What I like best about the design is the chalice/person. I see it as a person with arms extended, the graceful flow of their lower garment almost giving it a feminine aspect -- but then again not. K says: