Herstory - District and Regional
Healing and Changing Our World
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
For generations women have been healers, and that tradition has been passed down to our daughters thru the ages. Women find many different ways to make things better, we kiss boo boos, plant trees, create art, make chicken soup, hug and listen, sing lullabies and chant protest songs and carry memories of loved ones into the next generation.
We heal each other as well in ways we may not be aware of because to heal our world, we have to heal ourselves first. Our world seems to be tearing apart right now. We can choose to see it as re-modeling, tearing apart to rebuild in a better way.
Although we sometimes feel small and powerless in the chaos, gathering women in one place is empowering.
This weekend’s gathering hopes to offer some ways to think about healing and ideas of things to do that can help change our world. There are so many wonderful things happening and we have some great workshops planned, so we hope you will choose to make a difference in your life and in the world around you by joining and enjoying this time together.
We will have a labyrinth on loan from the Hospice of Pasco County. Each woman will have the option of signing up for her time alone in the sanctuary with the labyrinth.
Workshops
- Harmonic Rituals for Everyday Balance-Elly Kelly Baker
- Energy Medicine - Liz Mason
- Ecofeminism – Spirituality and Activism -Lynn Carol Henderson
- Our Rwanda Sisters - Cece Yochum
- Ratify the ERA - Sandy Oestreich
- Healing with Music- Amy Carol Webb
- Taoist Tai Chi demonstration and participation
- Facial Massage Meditation - Margaret Shepherd
- Living Organically - Jeri Baldwin
- Creating Prayer Shawls - MJ Arnaldi and Karen Frank
- Women and Economics in the Third World - Linda Lucas
- Solar Funnel Cookers – Mary Wickensheimer
Here are the pictures of the Conference held at UU Clearwater, contributed by Diane, Carol & Mary.
Click on the first picture to start the slide show, keep your mouse near the upper right of the photo to click on "Next" when you're ready.
{gallery}Conf07{/gallery}
- If the conference is held at a society, it is important to have a clear understanding who is responsible for cleaning up after the conference.
- In particular, it is important to have a clear understanding about what cleaning needs to be done after Saturday activities and before Sunday morning services.
- Give people a chance to introduce themselves. (Invite everyone to wear their name tags throughout.)
- Thank the people who have helped with preparations behind the scenes. Introduce site manager(s) if appropriate.
- Give people an idea of what to expect during the retreat, and assure them that they are free to opt out if they would rather nap or walk or do something solitary at a given time.
- Explain about the importance of freedom to speak frankly, or to not speak — and about confidentiality.
- Give people a chance to ask questions about plans for the retreat or whatever else they need to know.
- Hand out participant list, with addresses and phone numbers of everyone present.*
* FLW & R policy: The participant list prepared at each event will indicate that: "This list is only for the personal, non-business use of each participant." (2-11-96)
Conferences, like retreats, usually have a general theme; however, the theme of a conference can be related to a talk by a keynote speaker or a special guest who may take charge of a significant portion of the program.
Conferences usually offer some programs for all in attendance to be together plus a variety of concurrent workshops. Most of the suggestions on the previous pages are adaptable for conferences as well as retreats.*
Following are some procedures geared especially for conference facilitators.
FACILITATORS' COMMITTEE
- If there is a local facilitators' committee, rather than a single facilitator, it is wise for the committee to take time at the very beginning of the planning process to assess their individual working styles and to establish directly what their decision-making and communications processes are going to be. A team of two is usually preferable to one facilitator; two is often preferable to three.
- If may be helpful to have an early meeting with leadership of the sponsoring organization, including the treasurer, to establish working relationships and responsibilities among them. Previous conference facilitators may also serve as valuable resources.
- It is important for the committee not to try to do all the planning and on-site work themselves, but, instead, to involve as many members of the local society as possible.
- If there is a committee of facilitators, only one name and phone number should appear on the conference brochure as an information source — preferably a phone number served by an answering machine. Advertising multiple numbers is an invitation to inconsistent information, duplication of effort, and confusion.
- A copy of all procedures, governing policies, and guides should be given to each member of the facilitating committee, not just to designated chair/co-chairs.
* The differences between retreats and conferences may be related as much to the setting as to program specifics. Conferences arc more often held in a "formal" setting, such as local UU society. Retreats are more often held in a less formal, relaxing setting, removed from ''normal" activities. For example, for many years, FL District W&R has held semi-annual retreats at UU In the Pines, a retreat center, while conferences are hosted by a different UU society each year.
"Retreat” :: “process of withdrawing for
meditation, study; place of privacy & safety; refuge.”
Retreats allow us to withdraw, take refuge, leave the ordinary world, while we meditate, learn, relax. From that withdrawal, within that refuge, through that meditation, comes the possibility of change/of transformation/of altering the prism through which we see the world: of finding the extraordinary -- within ourselves!
Join us in this weekend of women circles:
walk a labyrinth, with your feet or with your fingers; design a mandala, a dreamcatcher, or a kaleidoscope; create a “DreamGroup” or a “PeerSpirit“ circle; write, take pictures, meditate, dance, chant; explore the cycles & circles of nature; share in a “Trust Walk.”
Join us in this weekend of possibilities:
from relaxation to transformation,
from silent contemplation to joyous celebration,
presented by 13 UU sisters from Boca Raton.
At the Fall 2001 Retreat, the organizers laid out a labyrinth on the grass, outlined with clothesline. Tobey Miller offered a writing workshop titled Spiraling In, Spiraling Out
Labyrinth
(for Tobey Miller & the Boca Babes)
You may never go to Stonehenge
nor yet the Cathedral at Chartres.
The traceries of fairies in the dew
may never grace your lawn.
But the mystic circle,
the mandala, the labyrinth
can rise at will.
The labyrinth on canvas,
painted and portable;
the more enduring,
planted with tiny hedges,
outlined with shells,
patterned with stones.
The truly ephemeral
drawn with chalk,
with string,
with spray paint,
with duct tape if you will.
With clothesline.
Each invites us to spiral in,
to focus on our core,
to spiral out refreshed.
Marble and mosaic can do no more.
-Lynn Montgomery, Miami
Facilitator: Diane Anderson
Co-Facilitator: Michelle Gilbert
Diane Anderson has been facilitating and participating in Women's programs for over 12 years. She has presented programs titled: Women Who Dance with Spirit, Unmasking the Soul, Resurrecting the Primal Spirit, and Women's Day of Renewal. Diane also teaches and lectures on Native American ritual and ceremony. She leads ceremonies recognizing rights of passage, such as those honoring women reaching maturity and older women at the end of child bearing. For many years, Diane led a Medicine Wheel Ceremony for a monthly Indian gathering and was the lead drummer/singer at many other gatherings and ceremonies. Both she and her husband, Glenn, lead Sweat Lodges for groups. Diane and her husband of 20 years have written a workbook for couples, Relationship Renewal: Step Up to Intimacy, and also lecture couples on achieving joyful relationships. Diane may be reached at (727) 898-9653 or by e-mail at WolfSongMe@aol.com.
Michelle Gilbert, originally from Maine, has lived in Florida for ten years. She has recently graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Museum Studies and lives on Treasure Island.
El Caribe Resort & Conference Center Daytona Beach, FL
Rooms with a View - Blue Chiffon - Pretty Feet
Beach Walks - Sand Castles - Water Drums - Sunrises
Yoga - Journaling - Books - Breakfast in Bed - Brownies
Laughter - Fun - Songs - Little Goddesses - Sisterhood
JUST LET GO!
Dive deep into a spiritual and relaxing full moon, ocean side Florida Women & Religion retreat Nov. 7-9 on Daytona Beach. Bubbles, mermaid tea, and sunrises from private balconies! Some Florida women requested that we try a different locale for a retreat so join your sisters on the beach. All women who have served as W&R co-chairs are specially invited. Our private retreat space faces the ocean. Breakfasts, lunch and dinner will be enjoyed in our private ocean view retreat environment. We have a large goddess suite, three breakout suites, private balconies, heated pool, and a wide beach for our pleasure.
Facilitator: Michele Hope
Co-Facilitator: Ann Goodrich
Michele Hope of Key Biscayne is a “key” retreat planner. A teacher, education specialist, counselor, connected to the Womenspirit retreats at The Mountain, and the woman who croned our co-chair Lucy Swenson-Knights, Michele will lead us in guided meditations, special ingatherings, and fun.
Mary Ann Goodrich of St. Petersburg owns Impeccable Consulting, a facilitation, training and project development company. Mary Ann is connected to the UU community and serves as volunteer coordinator at First Unity Church in St. Petersburg. She is hospitality coordinator for the retreat and has planned many surprises.
Additional planning committee sisters: Diane Anderson (designer of fantastic logo), Carol Vogel, Cathy Stanton, Mary Cadwell, Sondra Ickes, Pamela Leavy
All Text property of Fl UU W&R and its contributors
Elly Kelly Baker and UU women from around Florida invite you to share this weekend of
Ethereal Music ~ Workshops ~ Belly Dancing ~ Meditative, Music-Inspired Art ~ Crystal Bowls ~ Sisterhood ~ Visitations from Our Creative Muses ~ Drumming ~ Sacred Space ~ Yoga ~ Deeper Listening~ Improvisation~ Chanting ~ Free-Form Movement ~ Harmony ~ Hawaiian Ancient Kahuna Principles ~ Accessing Your Creative Flow ~ Ritual
"When you put your heart into your music, it goes everywhere." Alyshia Keyes
Music is considered the most spiritual of the arts for it originates in another realm.
Whether you accept the modern-day concept of "String Theory" (Everything in the Universe is composed of vibrating strands of matter in space.) or your ancient DNA instinctively senses it----Music is everywhere and allows us to spiritually transcend this existence.
Music connects us all to the spiritual experience of being human. And so, we are all natural musicians: Every moment our biological systems rhythmically ebb and flow, pulse and pause. Everyday we voice our intentions and express our innermost vibrations with our ongoing "dance" of body language.
Consider how our minds constantly struggle to keep pace with the never-ending input of stimuli. Our bodies are likewise continually adjusting to the daily rhythms around us. Our spirits are endlessly searching to co-create balance and harmony with our Self and our Universe. At times we may "tune out"; we can feel "out of sync"; we sense that we're not "resonating very well" with others; we may even get "strange vibes" when we are in unfamiliar surroundings. Our language hints at what's needed: Just as every object in the universe creates its unique vibrational "song", we are asked to rediscover our ancient pathways to harmonic union and spiritual creative flow.
We are asked to remember that Music is our birthright, and we are all natural musicians. Intention, not perfection, is the key.
So, join us on a spiritual rendez-vous with music. Come with an open heart and mind. Give yourself permission to accept and share the unique gifts with which you have been blessed. Together we will call forth our Muses and re-awaken our musical connection to the cosmos.
Through sound, dance, art, and writing, we will access and realign our inner and outer spheres of harmonic energy. Together we will laugh, gyrate, chant, glide, tone, meditate, drum, hug, and release our way to vibrational union.
May Your Journey Bring Harmony,
Elly
Fall 2005 - Laughing at Sacred Cows
What We Expect Will Happen Till the Cows Go Home
"In the beginning there was nothing. God said, Let there be light! And there was light.
There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better." - Ellen DeGeneres
At our Friday night Ingathering after dinner we will invoke the directions and create our circle once again. We'll get acquainted or re-acquainted, and introduce the idea of laughing at (and with) Sacred Cows, especially those connected with organized religions and some forms of spirituality. The use of humor and laughter in healing wounds, both physical and spiritual, will be stressed this weekend, especially in our workshops. We'll share some anecdotes and jokes, maybe sing a song or two. Did we mention that we'll laugh a lot?
Did you celebrate World Laughter Day in May? Do you belong to a Laughter Club? It was news to us but we'll learn about it all when we gather Saturday morning right after breakfast with Sandra Herskowitz, Certified Laugh Leader, who will help us tone our laugh muscles and discover the healing power of laughter. Recommendation: Don't sleep late; nap later.
When we have caught our breath, Adele Alexandre will offer the first of two workshops on the use of humor to reduce stress in caring for others and ourselves, 'The Healing Power of Humor, Lightening Up with Laughter.' Space and workshop time will be set aside for the ongoing making and wearing of Silly Hats, and the creating of Sacred Cows from potatoes, sort of Mrs. Bovine Potato Heads. You will introduce your cow on Saturday night.
After lunch Adele will give a repeat workshop and there will be a workshop on the art of the clown, given by Ann Myers. She will teach us to laugh and enjoy the benefits of laughter while exploring our faces and features as we apply clown make up and find our smile lines. Bring a joke or a smile for the group.
It's also a long, long time from August to November. The retreat planning has already been blessed with serendipity and we anticipate more surprises. There will be time for rest, recreation, swimming, canoeing, and what-you-will.
Saturday night is for more fun and games: devising a Ritual of the Sacred Cow, naming our cows and placing them on the altar, presenting other fruits of our workshops, hearing a story from Jill Oldenski, and winding up with our very own Open Mike. Sorry Drummer Girls, 'not tonight Josephine,' too many other groups in residence. We will end Saturday evening with a campfire and marshmallows.
"If life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt."
Sunday morning after nine o'clock checkout time we will have our closing circle, laugh some more, evaluate our experiences, open the circle, send the cows home, and exit laughing.
Two nudists of Dover,
Being purple all over,
Were munched by a cow
When mistaken for clover.
- Ogden Nash
Update!
Kyle emailed Sandy to ask her for the bibliography so we could post it on our web site. This is a link to Sandy Herskowitz’s web site:
http://lifetakesbalance.com/index.html
This is the link for the world laughter tour that she talked about:
http://www.worldlaughtertour.com
If you email the webweaver with a request, you can get a link to a page of pictures from this retreat...
"One Christmas I lurked in corners nursing a twisted splinter in my foot, permitting no one to come near me. When Uncle Jack [a doctor] caught me, he kept me laughing about a preacher who hated going to church so much that every day he stood at his gate in his dressing-gown, smoking a hookah and delivering five-minute sermons to any passers-by who desired spiritual comfort. I interrupted to make Uncle Jack let me know when he would pull it out, but he held up a bloody splinter in a pair of tweezers and said he yanked it while I was laughing, that was what was known as relativity." - Scout Finch
from To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
LEADERS WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR..
Kyle Pierson, St. Petersburg, the daughter of two Irish Catholic parents, showed signs of laughing at sacred cows even as a child. Her parents reported that she frequently annoyed the nuns with philosophical and silly questions. Eventually, she left Catholicism and found herself among the welcoming and irreverent .She has always identified with the Irish sense of humor. In her early career as a journalist, she favored stories highlighting the ironic and absurd. She believes sharpening her sense of humor may be the best advice anyone could give her for her latest transition to a middle school language arts teacher. Kyle has attended many Women & Religion retreats. This is her first time as co-leader.
Lynn Montgomery, Miami, was born into a Universalist Church parsonage and christened in the Odd Fellows Hall (don't ask) which may account for her long fascination with the connection between religion and comedy. She attended her first W&R retreat in 1993, "Stitching Together the Fabric of Our Lives" and has never looked back, but this is her first attempt at co-leading a retreat. Professionally Lynn has spent her life in the non-performing areas of theatre: stage, production, and business management in venues from Broadway to extremely-off-Broadway and in stock companies from West Palm Beach to Skowhegan, Maine. She wound up in Florida teaching theatre at the University of Miami.
A man that can't laugh at himself should be given a mirror.
-- From 'Irish Proverbs' Little Book of Ireland*
Adele Alexandre, Margate, is a Women's Wellness Writer and a trained Hypnotherapist. She will be using singing bowl meditation music, art and jokes to create healing and renewal.
Sandy Herskowitz, Treasure Island, is a Certified Laughter Leader. Sandy has spent most of her career working with abused and traumatized children and adults. In all the work she does, including her private psychotherapist practice, she integrates the power of laughter. She is committed to spreading the "World Laughter Peace Movement" whose slogan is "Think Globally, Laugh Locally".
Ann Myers, Redington Shores, has clowned for the Hospice SmileTeam for the past five years. She has trained with Hospice of the Suncoast and with Morton Plant Clown Teams, which is a special form of clowning that requires loving care directed at patients.
Child Care at This Retreat
Florida Women & Religion is committed to offering child care at retreats and conferences. We tried very hard to make the budget work for child care this time, but the registration fee we would have had to charge would make this retreat prohibitively expensive for too many women.
All child care costs, including room and board for two providers, a fee paid to each of them, and materials for the children to use, come from the registration fees charged to all attendees. We normally plan for 4-6 children for a retreat, many of them under age 8. DaySpring is a great place for kids, with walking trails, canoeing, swimming, exploring the river, etc., but a space that really requires two day care providers for 4-6 children. Because we only have 46 on-site spaces this time, the amount of money we can generate from registrations is insufficient to cover the costs of two child care providers.
We have developed a budget that will support having two girls aged 10-11, under the care of their parent with no other child care provider available. The registration fee for these two girls would be $85, and is available on a first come-first served basis. Girls 12 and over are also welcome, and they will be charged the full registration fee of $160 (due to DaySpring costs). The content of the general sessions and the workshops should be suitable for children, unless we get really raunchy with our jokes!
We will continue to strive to have child care available at retreats in the future. The more people we can accommodate at a retreat, the more revenue we can generate to pay for child care. We strongly encourage any mothers with children to join us in the Area Communicators' group, where these items are discussed, so that we can benefit from your recommendations.
Artisans' Bazaar
There will be space for up to five artisans to sell their wares at the retreat. Vendor spaces are reserved on a first come/first served basis. Vendors are requested to donate 10% of gross sales to Florida W & R. To reserve space, contact Carol Andros @ candros@tampabay.rr.com or 727-723-8280.
"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.
The Florida district of W & R has been extremely active in the last few years. Our "spiritual home" where we had met for retreats twice a year for nearly twenty years became unable to meet our needs. This necessitated a long search for another facility that could house our retreats, provided the quality of service we desired and privacy for our group. As you may imagine this change of venue was integral to maintaining our district continuity. In the last year we had to cancel one event because a retreat center was not available. We were please to find a perfect new home for our spring 2006 gathering.
In spring 2006, about 56 woman and children gathered at Chinsequt Hill Retreat Center in Brooksville, Florida. Our theme, Pele: Goddess of Destruction - Goddess of Creation: Two Ends of a Continuum invited women to contemplate the Hawaiian Goddess Pele and to use her inspiration as we strive for balance in our lives. With Pele's help we explored the vision that we all must learn to in live with the power of fire, both internal and external, and learn to be in balance - to embrace our anger, as well as our calm. Pele's many facets were explored through hula, Hawaiian chants, songs and legends. Luckily, we had Kalina who for twenty years has been teaching these locally. For workshops, we made real Hawaiian gourd drums, created ritual skirts like those worn by Pele's sisters, crochet leis in the new style, created Maori mandalas, used Hawaiian story starters for a writing workshop and learned basic hula. Saturday evening was a joy to behold as all the groups presented what they made and preformed small skits for the evening. Pele (Margaret Shepard) made an appearance and torches were lit for a sacred dance to Pele. It's hard to choose a highlight because the weekend was so much fun. One of the most memorable moments was when Susan C. Hefte was reading the Hawaiian story of the Flying Vulva. In an effort rid herself of the male pig god who is following her Pele's sister flings here vulva across the islands - at this moment Susan lifted her skirt and dramatically flung Spanish moss across the room. This retreat was organized and lead by Leslie Rigg, Jill Oldenski, Susan Pendergraft and Kalina.
In May of 2007 Diana Fraser and Patty Callaghan organized a group of woman to host a conference at the UU of Clearwater Florida. The theme was Healing and Changing Our World about 80 woman and children join us for the weekend. For generations women have been healers, and that tradition has been passed down to our daughters thru the ages. To this end many exciting workshops were offered: Harmonic Rituals for Everyday Balance, Energy Medicine, Eco-feminism: Spirituality and Activism, Our Rwanda Sisters, Ratify the ERA, Healing with Music, Taoist Tai Chi, Facial Massage Meditation, Living Organically, Creating Prayer Shawls, Women and Economics in the Third World, and Solar Funnel Cookers. Our evening concert was the phenomenal Amy Carol Webb who some of you may know from SUUSI. This powerful singer songwriter is extremely talented at writing and performing feminist music. Magaret Shepard led the rituals during the evening. She is wonderful person who is able to enhance any spiritual event. The sanctuary was decorated with amazing goddess inspired art produced by Judy Villei. A labyrinth on loan from Hospice was available for sign-up. Ann Myers organized a group of woman and men to provide the food for the weekend. The conference was a great success; many people experienced the Florida group for the first time! An empowered group of younger women from the Clearwater church to offered to help plan the next retreat. Plans were made to create new Cakes circle for the younger woman. We were very lucky that Jenn Bernsdorff has agreed to co-chair the Florida District. Please join us for the next retreat it's going to be a wonderful follow-up to a great year!
Susan Pendergraft, Co-Chair
Other News
W&R Resolution initiator/activist Lucile Schuck Longview, 96, recently relocated to 155 E. Kellogg Rd, #210, Bellingham, WA 98226, per her son Steve. He also writes that she "might appreciate a 'Welcome to your new home' card with [just] your signature. Additional notations would have no value," he adds in a poignant letter. Warmest thanks to those who take time to do this.
W&R foremother/implementer/activist Rosemary Matson turns 90 on September 20. A large gala will be held for her on September 29 at a UU Church near her home in California. Groups she has been active with, many for decades, include the United Nations, Humanists of America, UU Women & Religion, UU Women's Federation, UU Women's Heritage Society, Carmel Valley Women's Network and others. She has received numerous awards and honors throughout her life. If you are so inclined, cards may be sent to her at P.O. Box 1710, Carmel Valley, CA 93924.
FL W&R 2008 Fall Retreat!
October 10-12, 2008
Chinsegut Hill Education Conference Center
University of South Florida, Brooksville
5th Annual Florida Unitarian Universalist Women’s Retreat
March 20 - 22, 2015
Cedarkirk Conference Center, Lithia Florida
Through structured and unstructured activities, attendees will discover ways to
connect to themselves as they are today, see others in new light, and delve into the spiritual and natural universes. Take a new look at the labyrinth, create a private centering display, and experience mental and possibly physical challenges with leaders through Pathfinders. Spend time with some new others or see old friends in a deeper way. Such will compose the weekend. See you there.
Registration is limited to 40 Participants – reserve your space now !
The retreat is moving to Cedarkirk as DaySpring is not available.
The retreat begins at 5pm Friday afternoon and concludes at noon on Sunday.
Both private and semi private rooms are available. Meals included in your registration fee are Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast. Our new location is less expensive! $155 semi private room with $20 deposit $175 first floor semi private room $20 deposit – limited number available $200 private room with $30 deposit – limited number available
Final payment is due by January 15, 2015
For more information and a registration form contact: Helen Leddy helen.leddy@gmail.com
We look forward to another great retreat and hope you will be able to join us this year!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hgcfjcwf6v920na/FL%20UU%20Women%27s%20Retreat%203-2015.pdf?dl=0
- The sponsoring organization should make clear to the facilitators what the budget is for the conference.
- How much money is available for expenses and honorarium for a guest speaker?
- Do workshop leaders get an honorarium? If so, how much? Or, do they only get free registration for the conference? Or expenses only? Or no compensation?
- What is the appropriate registration fee? Is it the policy of the sponsoring organization to keep the fee as low as possible or to raise it in order to pay speakers and workshop leaders more? The higher the fee, the more demand there is likely to be for scholarship money.
- Is it possible to have some money available in advance as "seed money," for travel costs, food, supplies, or as deposit on facilities?
- Is it possible for a participant to register at a reduced fee for one day or some other fraction of the conference? Managing partial registrations may be a headache. However, partial registrations may encourage local people to attend for less than the full conference (and may get some interested in attending future retreats/conferences at other locations.)
- How much money is available for scholarships? What policies govern granting of scholarships? Should scholarship recipients be asked to work at the conference? What are the criteria? Are scholarships given on a "first ask-first get," or some other basis? What showing of need is required? Who decides who will get scholarship aid?
- If the conference is being held in a society's building, is the society to be reimbursed for use of its facilities? If so, how much? Is it giving up normal rentals to accommodate the conference?
- The facilitators and the treasurer of the sponsoring organization should agree to whom registration checks are payable, and who pays for — or is reimbursed for which expense.
* With FL W & R conferences, the local sponsoring group generally receives all conference related money and pays bills through a designated account of that society. A final accounting and check for balance is given to W & R Treasurer. It is important that these funds be payable to and pass through an organizational account, not that of an individual (no matter how trustworthy that person!)
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.
The 2014 program is being planned by women from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft Myers.
The theme is Women and Power.
During our weekend together we will share stories and inspirations and explore the many aspects of power in our lives and in the lives of women of the world.
DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center, located conveniently off I-75, offers a wooded setting on a cove of the Manatee River.
$220 per person covers expenses, including semi-private room and six meals. A non-refundable deposit of $20 will reserve your place.
Final payment is due by January 15, 2014.
For more information and an application, contact Rita Sizemore:
rsrsizemore@gmail.com or call 239-437-1014.
- Volunteers usually need to be recruited personally. Asking for volunteers generally does not get them.
- Volunteers are entitled to know as precisely as possible what they will be doing.
- Volunteers are entitled to know reasonable deadlines for their tasks as well as approximately how many hours of work are involved.
- Speakers and workshop leaders should receive a letter in the nature of a contract specifying what they agree to do, when, where, and what payment they are receiving, either as honorarium or expenses. A speaker receiving a substantial sum of money should be asked to sign and return a copy of the letter as confirmation.
- It is reasonable to ask a speaker who is being reimbursed for expenses to choose as economical an air fare as possible, In fact, it is wise to put this in the letter of agreement.
- Workshop leaders are entitled to know whether they will be reimbursed for supplies they provide.
- Some guest speakers like a lot of direction; others prefer to plan their own programs with as much freedom as possible. It is worth it to find out early what preferences a given speaker has. Above all, speakers and facilitators need to have a common understanding about how much freedom speakers have.
A GUIDE FOR CONFERENCE FACILITATORS
PRODUCED BY Florida UU WOMEN AND RELIGION OF THE FLORIDA DISTRICT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION
Spring 1996
Cover Art: SPINNING WOMAN
1996 REVISION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Guide was first produced in 1991, and copyrighted, by Barbara Child, then Co-Chair of the Florida District Women & Religion (W&R) Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association. It has been "guide extraordinaire" and foundation for many wonderful, successful annual conferences and semi-annual retreats sponsored by W & R since then.
This revision grows not so much from the need for major change (for most of what is here is still Barbara's original work), but rather to add and fine-tune in some areas where time and experience have changed the "way we do things."
In a March 4, 1992 edition, Barbara gives her thanks to Mary Goolsby, Joyce King, Sandra Schulman, Jean Siegfried and Kate Throop for their several contributions and suggestions, and dedicates her work to "Andrea Schuver and Susan Stephenson, who first showed me what a Joyous experience a women's retreat can be."
She points out further that while the guide is written with women's retreats and conferences in mind, it is adaptable for men's events or for events for women and men together.
For this 1996 edition, I would add, from each of us who have enjoyed the sagacity and practicality of this Guide, heartfelt thanks Barbara — and Blessed Be.
Mary Howard Cadwell
May 31, 1996
Hopes, Ambitions, Trials, and Silver Linings
Dates: First & third Mondays
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: Children's Chapel in Ministers' Hall
Facilitator: Barbara Hatzfeld
HATS is a meeting time for women to discuss issues in our lives. We are here to support one another as life throw challenges at us. We keep confidences within the group. It is less structured than Small Groups, as the topics are not set. HATS has been part of 1st UU since 1999.
For more information, contact Barbara Hatzfeld
delucehatzfeld@msn
In Memory: Rev. Laurel Sheridan (1940-2008)
http://www.uuma.org/blogpost/569858/100036/In-Memory----Rev-Laurel-Sheridan-1940-2008
Rev. Sheridan died on May 15, 2008 after hospitalization for numerous ailments. She was ordained in 1982 in Duxbury, MA, and served in Vermont, Maine, and Pennsylvania before returning to Massachusetts.
Third Annual Florida UU Women’s Retreat, March 15-17 - The weather was perfect, the setting attractive and the energy warm and welcoming for the forty women who gathered in retreat last month at the DaySpring Conference Center in Ellenton, Florida. For the past three years this gathering has brought UU women together from congregations as far north as Georgia to as far south as Fort Myers. The goal of the retreat is simply to strengthen connections and enjoy time together in a comfortable setting.
Dear Women of WomanSpirit---
Our May Gathering will be next week: Monday, May 11th :
7:30 p.m. in Osias Hall. (For those who don't know UUFBR too well, Osias is the large room you walk through on the way to the Sanctuary, so come in the usual front door to find us.)
The evening will center around The Artful Bras Project -- which was designed by some South Carolina quilters to raise breast cancer awareness in a unique way. Plan on an evening of shared beauty and creativity (plus some funky humor) as we will be creating "artful bras." (If you want to learn more in advance, "Google" "artful bras.")
As always, all UUFBR women members and friends are invited to be with us at WomanSpirit gatherings. Questions?? please feel free to contact Leslie Rigg, Adele Alexandre, or me.
Please bring with you, if possible:
old bras, ribbons, buttons, beads, other interesting findings --
see you there.... mary c...........
And, just for your contemplation....
Breast cancer walks daily among us at UUFBR -- having made its mark on at least 18 UUFBR women at some time during the past 20 years.
