As she promised at GA2023, Heather Gehron-Rice has sent us a whole packet of Joseph Priestley District newsletters. What I didn't realize when we first spoke about this was that the newsletters are a complete collection of Reaching Sideways:

UU foremother Rosemary Matson wrote in her Memoirs of UUW&R, "Sara Best, a lay woman in the Joseph Priestley District Women and Religion Committee, with the help of her friends, created a journal REACHING SIDEWAYS - A Continental Exchange of Views and Ideas chronicling the successes and failures of those trying to implement the Women and Religion Resolution. It was a voice when there were very few other voices in the denomination speaking for women and it proved to be the writing of our Women and Religion story as it was being lived. Sara Best produced her first issue in October 1981 and sent out her last issue on June 15, 1991. REACHING SIDEWAYS is sorely missed."

Well, it's BACK! We've scanned and restored a few issues so far. More to come when I have time. The originals will end up in Meadville-Lombard Theological School's HEResies Special Collection in Chicago! -- Gretchen

folder Reaching Sideways 1981-1991

"Our mission, as women in community, is to explore our authentic selves, and to promote gender equity in our lives, our congregations, and in society."

The Joseph Priestley District Women and Religion group was strong and active until 2011. They didn't hold any official retreats after that.

These pages represent some of their archived materials. If you happen to have or know of any others, please consider contributing them to the UUW&R Archive Project. Contact info@uuwr.org.

JPDWR Archive page

Subject to Minor Change

Friday p.m., September 30

4:30 – 5:15           Arrival// Silent Auction Set Up (all)

6:15—7:00            Dinner (Up the hill in the Dining Hall)

7:00—7:15            Welcome and introduction by Laura of the JPD W&R circle and Retreat Center rep;

7:15—8:00            Opening Ritual by Heather  w/ altar contributions by participants

8:00—9:00            Workshop #1 by Heather   -  Why Women Need the Goddess

9:00 — 10:00        Social Time

Saturday, October 1

7:15—7:45            Silent Zen Walk with Alix; Gentle Yoga stretching exercises with Laura

7:45—8:30            Breakfast (Dining Hall)

9:00—9:15            Background of  Women & Religion by Anne

9:15—12:00          Workshop #2 by Anne and Sherri – Introduction to the World’s Goddesses;

Putting Your Goddess into Words w/ one break

12:00—1:00          Lunch (Dining Hall)

1:00 —3:00           Free Time

3:00—5:00            Workshop #3 by  Sherri: Meditation: Inner Guide/Wise Self/Spirit Guide Imagery; and

Alix – Making Your Goddess in Clay w/ one break

5:30—6:30           Dinner (Dining Hall)

6:30—8:00           Workshop #4 by Laura – Body Prayer and Introducing Your Goddess (participants)

8:00—10pm     Drumming Circle, Social time with Serpent Cake, Goddess songs led by Laura Paligo and others, perhaps by YOU!!!

9:30 pm               Silent Auction Closes

Sunday, October 2

7:15—7:45            Gentle Yoga stretching exercises with Laura

7:45—8:30            Breakfast  (Dining Hall) and paying for silent auction items in Dining Hall with Alix

8:30—9:15            Packing 

9:30—10:45          Closing Workshop by Heather Circle in a Circle and Blessing of the Goddesses

10:45—11            Break

11—12            Worship service by  TBA  In the Old Chapel (tba)

12:15               Lunch and farewell (Dining Hall and Meeting Rooms)

Drum out the Doldrums!  Beat away the Blahs!

The Facilitators’ Circle of the Joseph Priestley District Women and Religion

and the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, PA

invite you and the women of your congregation to

A Drumming Circle for Women

On Saturday, March 19, 2011

Join Tammi Hessen of Bumbuda

www.tammihessen.com

10 am to 2 pm on

Saturday, March 19, 2011,

at the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg

1280 Clover Lane Harrisburg, PA

Bring your sister, daughter or granddaughter over 10 years, a friend or neighbor to join you in learning the rhythms and sounds of the African traditions of drumming and whole-body involvement as a way to shake out unhappiness and suck in the unbridled joy of celebrating life!

Pack a brown bag lunch (drinks and snacks will be provided), wear loose clothes and comfortable shoes and bring your own hand-held rhythm or percussion instrument.  If you don’t own one, Tammi will provide instruments for you to use. Enjoy hours of drumming, dancing, and movement designed to imbue you with a happy, healthy spirit.

Advance registration and payment (mail by March 4th)

$20 per person, $15 for your guest under 16 years;

At the door, $25 for adults, $20 for 16 and under

Space limits us to 50 participants: sign up and pay now to be sure of your place!

Babysitting will be available for pre-registrants only!!!

Please advise, with your registration, the number of children you are bringing and their ages.

Send your check made out to The JPD of the UUA to

Mary Ann Rhoads ... Harrisburg PA 17110

Questions? Contact Randa

Directions See www.Harrisburg uu.org OR see below

From Philadelphia

76 Turnpike West, Take exit 247 to merge onto I-283 N toward PA-283/Harrisburg/Hershey, Take exit 2 for PA-441 N, Turn left at PA-441 N/Lindle Rd , Take the 1st right onto Eisenhower Blvd,   Take the 1st left onto Clover Ln/Meadow Ln

From Lancaster

PA-283 W (signs for Harrisburg), Take the exit onto I-283 N toward I-81/I-83/Harrisburg  Take exit 2 for PA-441 N, Turn left at PA-441 N/Lindle Rd, Take the 1st right onto Eisenhower Blvd, Take the 1st left onto Clover Ln/Meadow Ln

From Baltimore

I-83 N Entering Pennsylvania, Take exit 46A to merge onto I-283 S toward I-76/Airport/Lancaster, Take exit 2 for PA-441 toward Swatara,  Keep right at the fork, follow signs for WI-441 N, Turn right at PA-441 N/Lindle Rd,  Take the 1st right onto Eisenhower Blvd, Take the 1st left onto Clover Ln/Meadow Ln