Unitarian Universalist Women & Religion
We do not want a piece of the pie; it is still a patriarchal pie.
We want to change the recipe!
--Rosemary Matson,
W&R foremother and Resolution implementer
In 1977 the UUA General Assembly unanimously passed the Women & Religion Resolution, calling all individual UUs and UU organizations to examine and put aside sexist assumptions, attitudes and language, and to explore and eliminate religious roots of sexism in myths, traditions and beliefs. Lucile Schuck Longview, visionary UU laywoman working in tandem with individuals and organizations, initiated the Resolution. And a vital, ongoing movement was born.
For two decades the UUA Board-appointed Women and Religion Committee led in transforming Unitarian Universalism toward greater inclusiveness and gender equality. Significant changes in the denomination were inspired by the Resolution. At the same time Women & Religion groups formed and grew at the District level, where W&R programs and retreats deepened and enriched the lives of countless women, UU or not. These gatherings continue to nurture and support women of all ages, expanding and broadening horizons of possibility. Oftentimes, W&R newcomers subsequently joined UU churches in their District.
In 1996 the UUA Board declared the work of the Resolution complete and "sunsetted" its Women and Religion Committee, ending its UUA funding. District W&R groups, however, continued to meet, and there was much conversation across the continent about what to do next. In 1997 at its 20th anniversary, W&R’s "sunrise" logo was introduced—a broad umbrella under which District activities carried on and flourished. Active District groups called themselves ‘stars in the night’ and the overall movement ‘The Continental Constellation’ of Women & Religion, moving “Onward...to the sunrise.”
In 2002, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Resolution, UU Women & Religion officially became an independent affiliate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association in order to continue the work of establishing gender equality in our religious movement and the world. The religious roots of sexism persist in pervading the secular world today, reinforcing sexism and patriarchy throughout civilization. Clearly, we still have work to do!
In 2006, a new motto was coined for the sunrise logo: ‘Toward a new day...’
We're Women & Religion
And we're here to say
We're Women & Religion
And we're here to stay!
We're Women & Religion
And we're here to say
The work to do's not done
So we're here to stay!
We're all volunteers here
All of the good women who have made Women and Religion what it has been in the past, as well as those who are contributing to its future, are volunteers. Many of you have given generously of your time and
energy to this and to many other projects in your communities. Those efforts have gone a long way toward making your communities a better place to live and work.
Those of us who are continuing to work toward making Women and Religion continue to be a resource for UU women and their friends would like to have a few more women join us, to share in both the work and the wealth of experience and community and learning that we've all enjoyed so far.
As the saying goes, "Try it, you'll like it."
SIX OR MORE MONTHS AHEAD
PROCEDURES FOR RETREATS
Putting on a retreat is a great experience. It is even better if you can get things taken care of ahead of time, so that the retreat is enjoyable for you as well as participants. This checklist of decisions to make and things to do is designed to save you headaches and help you get everything taken care of in plenty of time. Feel free to use it as a Guide only: adding or altering to fit your unique situation. Make notes to pass on to others, if you wish.
(You may also find it helpful to browse through the Conference Procedures section: many ideas are interchangeable between Retreats and Conferences.)*
SIX OR MORE MONTHS AHEAD
- Decide on retreat dates.
- Decide on retreat site and reserve it. (Note: most sites require an advance deposit to guarantee the space.) (See Appendix A for sample retreat center brochure.)
- Consider these issues in choosing a site:
- Is its location central? Convenient?
- Does it offer the space you need for full group activities, for smaller workshops, for recreation?
- Does it offer the sleeping arrangements you need, including both camping facilities and nearby hotel/motel, as well as on-site rooms?
- Can accommodations be made "handicapped accessible?"
- Does it have an attentive staff on call?
- Does it provide meals and have the flexibility to accommodate vegetarians and others with special dietary needs? (See Appendix I for ideas.)
- Does it offer the privacy and security necessary to make participants comfortable?
- Is the space adaptable for offering child care? For infants/very young child "baby-sitting" and for older children in a "youth camp" type program?
*References made throughout this handbook to local "society/societies" denotes any UU church/fellowship/congregation/society, etc.
4. Review W&R (and/or District) policies on retreats, re:
- Child care requirements.
- Financial arrangements.
- Scholarships.
- Vendors and sales.
- Use of wine/"spirits"
5. Decide whether to have a co-facilitator(s).
Consider the advantages:
- Share the work.
- Test ideas.
- Share the fun.
- Provide more variety in presenting activities at the retreat.
- Troubleshoot more effectively.
Consider these issues in choosing a co-facilitator(s):
- Are your working styles compatible?
- Do you have different skills and interests that will complement and balance each other? For example, it can work well if one of you is the "big picture" person and other the "detail" person. If one of you has never facilitated a retreat before, it helps if the other one has.
- Are you in the same town? If not, can you get together easily and often, at least by phone? e-mail?
- Are you both interested in the same retreat theme?
6. Decide on a specific theme and a title for the retreat that expresses it.
7. Begin to line up needed support persons:
- Registrar. (See Appendix D: Retreat Registrar's Job Description) This is the person to whom participants will send their registration forms and payment. This person will also be assigning bed space; therefore, it is good to choose
- Child Care Workers: Decide on appropriate age categories: you need separate workers and different programs for (1) infants and toddlers, than for (2) elementary to early teens. (Consider at what age boys are no longer welcome at a women's retreat and at what age you want to include older teen girls as program participants or as child care workers.)
8. Check on deadlines for articles in district or other appropriate newsletters.
Florida UUW&R Mission Statement
The Florida District Unitarian-Universalist Women & Religion Committee strives to:
- provide resources and a network for women to affirm spirituality,
- increase self esteem, and empower action for change;
- transform the "power over" model of relating to a "power with" model;
- assist the congregations and societies in the District to root out all forms of domination and oppression;
- provide opportunities for women to grow spiritually and personally;
- explore the richness of our diversity,
- and support one another.
Memorial Art Project
Dear Sisters,
I wanted to let you know that I have spearheaded a memorial art project to raise awareness for domestic violence. This final work will memorialize Jenn, Andrea, Olivia and Magnus along with all those who have suffered. W & R women from all over the country have sent pieces of art to add to the final project. At this time it looks like it will be a main banner plus a prayer flag like section of artwork that will be displayed at GA in Ft. Lauderdale in June 2008.
If you would like to create something no larger than 15 x 15 you may send it to me. Please put fusible interface on the back so we might attach it easily to the final project. In fact, you may use fusible interface throughout so that you may iron the pieces together – you need not sew. Also, you do not need to make it a square – any shape is ok. I will need to have the pieces sent to me no later than May 24th or Memorial Day weekend. That way we’ll have time to organize it before GA. If any of you are attending GA and would like to be part of our ritual or silent walk – whatever it turns out to be please let me know or keep in touch if I lose touch.
You may mail completed panels to:
Susan Pendergraft
A Letter from Susan
Dear Sisters of Florida,
As the leadership of our organization is once again in flux it appears that we must consider our options and all of us must decide if we can help perpetuate Florida W & R. I know you all understand how vitally important this organization is to our young woman and children. It’s made amazing changes in all our lives and I’d hate to see it disappear due to lack of structure. It seems to me that our organization has been going through difficult times for the last few years. After much consternation and effort we found another spiritual home; which was quite difficult and though wonderful still doesn’t meet all our needs. In the past two- three years we’ve lost contact with the national organization and have had difficulty with maintaining “communicators”– woman who represent different parts of the state, help to make decisions for the group and communicated our activities to regional churches. As a result our organization lacks structure and appears to be weakening. I’ve been no help in this area. My energies have been focused on maintaining the retreat schedule. Furthermore, many newer women have little to no relationship with the national W & R organization and don’t understand the W & R history. After all of this history, many of us were very excited about the potential for Jenn and Andrea to revitalize W & R. Obviously, the largest blow for us was the loss of Andrea and Jenn last month. Jenn was very committed to building the infrastructure of Florida W & R. She had already started to build community with her last e-mail.
Co-chair(s)
Foremost we need two new co-chairs. The co-chair position is mostly one that monitors e-mails from the national list serve, organizes at least one area communicator meeting during the year (not held during a W & R event), and writes articles for the WomanWeb quarterly newsletter, and keeps us abreast of the national news. The co-chairs also help line up other women who lead the retreats and conferences. Ideally the co-chairs do not lead the retreats they just help with facilitators when necessary.
Communicators
in the past woman from these areas have volunteered, but don’t let geography stop you.
- Sarasota (filled)
- Ocala
- Gainesville
- Clearwater
- St. Pete
- Orlando
- Miami
- Boca Raton
- Western Fort Lauderdale (filled)
- Jacksonville (maybe filled)
Along with our treasurer Patty and our Web Weaver Mary this means we’ll have about 12 woman around the state in the “core group”. These women help to guide the organization and make consensus decisions for the group.
Least I forget we still need a facilitator for the Fall Retreat Oct. 10-12. (Editor's Update: we do have someone interested in this slot, but she will need help and we will need volunteers for future events, so if you're interested, let us know.) She will need a small group of people to help her (3-6 people altogether). If anyone can volunteer to help please contact me right away at fossils@knology.net and I’ll keep a list of the volunteers and forward it to the new co-chairs. Due to health reasons I will not be available to help with leadership after March. Thanks to all of you I know you’ll step up right now and lend a hand. This group is extremely important. With just a little bit of effort we can revitalize this group that has been active in Florida for twenty years. Imagine that!!! Waiting to hear from you,
Susan Pendergraft, Former Chairwoman of W & R
Other news
Florida W & R has sent $500.00 to the educational fund for Andrea's daughter, Annie Pisanello. Contributions can be made in her name c/o Macdill/Grow Financial Credit Union, 10801 Starkey Rd., Suite 103, Largo, FL 33777. Her mother Megan is very grateful and would welcome any additional funds to help Annie in the future. Annie is the only child who survived that brutal night.
Fall 2007 - Being Peace
"Being Peace"
Our Fall Retreat
October 12, 13, 14 2007
Chinsegut Hill Conference and Retreat Center
After our amazing conference in May, where we discussed Healing & Changing our World, few things could seem more timely than a retreat focused on bringing & being peace. We will spend our time together learning & sharing about the concept of peace & what holds us back from peace in our minds, bodies, spirits, and our greater world. During our ingathering, we will share a Gifting Blanket - a Native American tradition that teaches us about gratitude & the perfect web of all things. Please bring a small gift of personal significance - perhaps something you already own - wrapped in brown paper or newsprint with your name inside. We will exchange these gifts in a meaningful way - each receiving exactly the gift that was meant for us. We will be given many other gifts, of course, on this special retreat - a knowing smile, a hug, a deep insight, hearty laughter, and the magic of being in community.
We will have workshops to help you achieve peace in your body & spirit. We will create a communal piece of art that will represent what holds us all back from peace & which we will burn in ceremony on Saturday night. And we will hold small group discussions about peace - what it is, how to achieve it, and why it matters. This promises to be a fabulous event - we look forward to seeing you all there!
Workshops
We have a number of workshops in mind. These are a sample of what may be available.
Yoga
Join us for gentle Yoga and experience a peaceful session whereby you work to integrate yourself with the environment, the body, the mind, and the spirit.
Nature Walk Meditation
The Chinsequt grounds have wonderful nature trails. A Peace inspirited walking meditation will be set up for your enjoyment. Walk alone or with others to reinvigorate your soul, find inspiration and renew yourself for life after our woman's gathering.
Community Art
Faith will facilitate a communal Peace art project which will be created during the day. It will play an integral part in Saturday night's extravaganza. This project will be ritually burned as an offering to the spirit of peace.
Non-violent Communication
Susan Hefte will lead a group exercise and discussion on productive methods of communication in today's world. Susan is a dynamic presenter who will inspire and facilitate an amazing discussion.
Peace Ribbon Project
The Peace Ribbon honors the victims of the Iraq War by creating a memorial to fallen soldiers and Iraqi civilians. The Peace Ribbon Project in an ongoing project and our goal is to create a remembrance panel for each life that has been claimed by this war. The Peace Ribbon has been displayed around the country. You can visit The Peace Ribbon Project for photos. You will be invited to help create a panel. Bring sewing machines and scraps if you'd like. You may also just find out more about Code Pink.