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Welcome! The Women and Religion Movement is alive and well in the 21st Century. A grassroots project started by lay leaders in the 1970s as an effort to promote examination of religious roots of sexism and patriarchy within the UUA and beyond, UU Women and Religion officially began as a task force following the unanimously-passed WOMEN AND RELIGION RESOLUTION at the 1977 UUA General Assembly. Although the Task Force was eventually sunsetted, the movement still exists in UU communities that hold Women & Religion programs and gatherings for those who identify as women. It exists at the UU General Assembly, where UUW&R brings our Store to the Exhibit Hall and occasionally hosts a gathering. And it lives in the hearts and lives of people who have been touched by the many changes inspired by this movement.

"We do not want a piece of the pie. It is still a patriarchal pie. We want to change the recipe!" -- Rosemary Matson

The latest news from UU Women and Religion

CroneCurriculumHas your women’s group used the curriculum, Becoming Women of Wisdom: Marking the Passage into the Crone Years? If so, we would love to have your feedback. Thus far, we have heard that participants are finding the program very exciting and empowering. One comment we receive frequently is that the program provides a way for women to get know themselves and each other at a deeper level than ever before. Please send your feedback to Dorothy Emerson at RevEmerson@aol.com or call her at 781-391-6455.

If you have not yet participated in the program, you might want to consider it. The 13-session curriculum is designed for women who are entering or have passed through menopause and would like to mark this passage and deepen their understanding of what it means to be a wise older woman. The program opens the participant to the power, wisdom, and insight of the mature self.

Imagine entering the labyrinth of your psyche, slowly following its turns in and out as you weave yourself toward the deep center of your essential knowing. As you make your way forward, you will remember the past, integrate its lessons and shed its excess baggage, until you come to the present moment of possibility and transformation. There you will claim the beauty and truth that can be yours and begin your walk out of the labyrinth integrating your new found knowledge and the thirteen guiding principles of a crone as you retrace your steps. Before you reemerge into the world, you will celebrate your new state and assume the mantle of the crone. As a mature woman of action and compassion, you will claim your power as a woman of wisdom.

The curriculum has been written by Melody Lee, in collaboration with co-creators Karen Edwards and Dorothy Emerson, and can be ordered from Rainbow Solutions, at www.cronecurriculum.net.

Janet Nortrom

Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee

Janet Nortrom, long time active member of First Unitarian Society in Milwaukee, was honored at the 41st Annual Awards Luncheon hosted by the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. Janet received the Frank Zeidler Award for her tireless work on social justice issues, voter education, as an environmental advocate and for her service as an Interfaith cabinet member from the Southeastern Wisconsin Unitarian Universalist Congregations (SEWUUC).

Janet Nortrom is a Central Midwest District W&R WiseWoman and longtime UU Women's Federation member who also served on their national board.

In Search of Merlin StoneOn September 24th, people gathered at the UU Church of Clearwater Florida to honor the life and work of Merlin Stone. The event was streamed live on Z Budapest’s Ustream channel: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/merlin-stone-memorial and the video files now are there to view. Video was quite fuzzy but much of the audio can be heard if you turn up the volume. I was particularly moved by Merlin's "significant other ... soulmate and kindred spirit" of 34 years, Leonard Schneir. "I thought I was a free spirit," he said, "then I met Merlin. I thought I was a non-conformist, then I met Merlin... You were the lighthouse, I was lost at sea..."

Z Budapest and Merlin Stone's family have been raising money to produce a documentary DVD "In Search of Merlin Stone." Rev. Shirley Ranck was interviewed for inclusion in the DVD. Learn more at www.merlinstone.net.

SageWoman MagazineThis September marks SageWoman's 25th year of connecting women to the Goddess and to one another.

However, this anniversary also comes at the time of serious crisis. Borders — a major retail bookstore chain which sold 40% of their wholesale copies in the U.S. — went bankrupt and is closing all of its stores. Borders owes SageWoman Magazine $12,064 for sales in 2010 and 2011 for which they will never be paid. www.sagewoman.com

Help SageWoman rebound.

Women's Weekend Was a Blast

Fifty-six women attended the 2011 Women's Week-end on April 9-10th. The weather was warm and sunny which made it easy to be outside for a change. Several hiked at Sioux Passage County Park and found the riverfront to be beautiful and full of energy. The Pallottine Renewal Center is under new management and newly-painted walls and carpeting created a warm and inviting place. We felt a com-munity among women in the generations from 20+ to 80+ years.
Many thanks for the WW Committee who pull to-gether a great event. We raised over $450 in the White Elephant Sale, which allows us to give scholarships for women to attend the event. Save the date for the next Women’s Weekend: April 21-22, 2012 See you then.
~Carolyn Burke, Director

http://www.eliotwomensweekend.com/

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You may make a donation to UU Women and Religion here. We are a 501(c)3 organization. Please select the quantity of $10 increments you would like to donate.

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