The Women & Religion movement officially began in 1977, with the passage of the Women and Religion Resolution at the UUA’s annual General Assembly. The dual focus of the resolution was to urge the UUA to look at the religious roots of sexism, and to encourage all Unitarian Universalists to examine the extent to which religious beliefs influence sex-role stereotypes in interpersonal behavior within families, friendships and in the workplace.
The Northeast District Women & Religion Committee began in 1982, when 24 women gathered for 24 hours. The NED W&R has occasionally fostered activities and programs within the District and at District meetings directed at raising consciousness of women’s issues and concerns; however, its primary focus has been sponsoring Fall and Spring weekend conferences with a wide variety of programming for women. For over 25 years, women have gathered to learn, rest, play, grow, sing, dance and celebrate life’s passages. In 2008, two districts merged to become the Northern New England District. We became the NNE W&R. Sadly, around 2013 the group disbanded.
September 30 - October 2, 2011
Geneva Point Conference Center
Moultonboro, NH
The Women & Religion Committee of the NNED will be offering its fall retreat entitled Creating Connections at Geneva Point Conference Center in Moultonboro, New Hampshire, on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee. Whether you are a regular attendee or a new comer please join us for camaraderie, inspiring workshops, sisterly pampering, feminine energy, fun, and the opportunity to deepen connections with women from your home congregations as well as from across the district. For more information regarding the schedule, please contact Faith Barnes. Registration questions should be directed to Susan Gorman.
Honoring Ourselves and Our Community
UU NNED Women & Religion Fall Retreat
October 4-6, 2013
Geneva Point Conference Center, Moultonborough, NH
Our theme this year “Honoring Ourselves and Our Community” builds on our theme of “Gathering our Community” from last fall. The schedule, although not completely finalized, features our usual community gathering ceremonies – Closing and Opening the Sacred Circle, The Water Ceremony, Entertainment by Us, and The Worship Service – as well as a range of art, movement, acupressure and meditative workshops. As always, there is time for personal reflection and the flexibility to participate in as many or few workshops as you wish. Remember this is your weekend and we want it to work for you. I look forward to the positive energy and the connections I enjoy during the retreat and the gifts they provide me when we all depart.
Registration is on a first come, first served basis. UU women will get first preference. Cost is $130 to $190 depending on room -outlined on registration form. Cancellations before Setpember 8 will be assessed a $50 fee. There will be NO refunds after September 13, 2013.
Dear Ladies,
I’m sorry to have to tell you that the Northern New England District Women and Religion Spring Retreat scheduled for May 20-22, 2011 is canceled due to a lack of coordinator and liability issues. We have put several requests out to the group, starting at the Fall Retreat, to fill the role of coordinator but no one has come forward. I’ve coordinated most of the retreats for the past 5 years or so and it has been an amazing experience. It has helped me professionally by improving confidence in public speaking and organizational skills, but also personally by giving me the opportunity to get to know so many amazing women. Although I have no intention to leave the group altogether, it is someone else’s turn for the responsibilities and rewards of leadership. Another issue is the subject of liability as we currently are not under the umbrella of the District, there is personal financial risk to the organizers.
Susan Gorman, Jen Civiello, Sue Buckholz, Faith Barnes, Barbara Jabaut, and Marjorie Young are meeting with Rev. Mary Higgins of the NNED on April 8th to work out details of re-affiliation with the district. This will mean working in some new ways with the district, including administrative support and liability coverage. We hope this meeting will allow for a fall retreat at Geneva Point Conference Center on Sept. 30, Oct. 1-2. In order for a fall retreat to happen, we will need a retreat coordinator and perhaps other women to serve as part of the Women and Religion NNED committee. More details will be available after the April 8th meeting.
If retreats have been important to you in the past, think about how you might become involved to allow them to continue.
Yours in faith and friendship,
Leslie Bayers
FRIDAY
2:00-4:00 Retreat Planners arrive
4:00-6:00 Registrants arrive and settle in:
Check in with one of our Greeters (See Housing Chart)
Set up Blanket Bazaar, Trash & Treasures, and Clothing Swap, Grazing Table, Altar
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:00 Orientation Inn
Welcome by Susan and Faith
Brief introductions of workshop leaders
Review site rules and regulations by Geneva Point Staff member
Introductions & Icebreaker - kything led by Susan Gorman
8:00-9:00 Creating Sacred Space Inn Lobby
Casting Our Circle led by Barbara Jabaut
Singing led by Chris Chance
9:00-10:00 Socialize, drumming at bonfire or head to bed
