January 2026 - The Continental Unitarian Universalist Women and Religion core group announces the election of new officers. Chicago area member Nyx Ember Firebourn will step into a co-convener role beside long-time UUW&R member Geri Kennedy of Seattle. Past Treasurer Patti Clark moves to an advisory position as UUW&R's registered agent and CPA. Past co-convener Gretchen Ohmann will take on the Treasurer's job while remaining as Storekeeper.

There are openings for two additional At-Large core group members. The core group meets via Zoom every other month and members are encouraged to take on occasional projects, and help with General Assembly and other planning. Please contact info@uuwr.org if you are interested in working with us!

2026 CORE GROUP

Co-Convener Geri Kennedy, Seattle, WA, believes in gathering the women. A past UUWR Treasurer with long time ties to UUW&R, who has often staffed our UUWR booth at GA and saved our hides on more than one occasion. Geri has been active in Pacific Central W&R, and is currently the Treasurer for International Convocation of UU Women (ICUUW).	Co-Convener Nyx Ember Firebourn, Chicago, IL, is dedicated to living a joyous life while inspiring others to do the same! She is a humanitarian, community organizer, artist, and entrepreneur. She finds joy in travel and nature. Her leadership style is rooted in warm-hearted compassion, creativity, and courage. She also serves as Vice-President of the UU Women’s Connection Council, and joined the UUWR Core Group in June 2023.
At-Large Patti Clark, Houston, Texas, served UUWR as Treasurer for nearly 20 years, has served as Treasurer for SouthWest UU Women (SWUUW), and the International Convocation of UU Women. She did double duty as Registrar for the 2009 International Convo. A retired CPA, Patti also manages her condo association.	Treasurer and UUWR Storekeeper Gretchen Ohmann, SW Michigan, is a long-time UU. For Central MidWest W&R she was treasurer, conference liaison, and webweaver, then part-time office manager, computer trainer and archivist. Gretchen also worked several years as Administrator for SW UU Women, served a term on the board of the UU Women's Federation and is currently President of UU Women's Connection Council. Retired from her day job as Tech Coordinator for UUA MidAmerica Region, she is part-time Marketing Director for ICUUW, and also designs and hosts web sites.

At times we can be the orchestrator of our own discomfort. We choose things for our lives and at times we don't consider the weight those things may have. Protecting your joy is not only about preserving your own happiness. It preserves both your mental and physical health.  Life is stressful enough without adding things that create more hardship. That's not  self love or care.  What may logically be the right thing may not be the most healthy thing for your life.  Wisdom is learning your limits and where to step back for your own personal well being.

It's been three years since I started my journey for a more joyful existence. Some things I kept in my life out of obligation even though I knew they were causing me harm. I wanted to be a good person. I wanted to do the right thing. I had no peace. I was never able to rest my body or my thoughts. Rest is necessary for a positive experience and peaceful life. You can't live in chaos and expect peace or joy. You can't heal or be healthy without the ability to regenerate through effective rest.

The absence of negative things, people and situations creates the foundation needed for joy. Doing an honest inventory of what creates peace and what creates despair and hopelessness are very important. When I started this journey this felt like such a selfish thought, however, you must protect yourself and your joy.  People thrive and grow in joy.

I have learned that the most important person to me has to be me.  I am the first layer or protection and the one who knows me more intimately than anyone else ever can. Protecting my peace must be a priority. I can't care for myself or anyone else when I'm not at my best. I deserve to be my best. You deserve your best you. You deserve JOY. 

~Nyx

If you've been waiting for your opportunity to peruse the UUW&R Bookstore in-person, here is where we'll be this year!

February 28-March 1
Pacific Central W&R Retreat near Napa, CA

March 6-8
SouthWest UU Women Retreat near Navasota, TX

General Assembly is all online this year. We'll be back in 2027 - San Jose, California!

May 15
May Market at Berrien UU Fellowship, Saint Joseph, MI

May 28-31
UU Women's Connection Retreat near Princeton IL

... plus more to be announced this summer and fall!

We just got a new shipment of figurines, stickers and books from Brigid's Grove, the latest installment in Jan Anthony's book series, and brand-new UU chalice jewelry!

NEW! Hand-assembled UU chalice earrings. Double hoops either 30mm (1.2 inch) or 20mm (3/4 inch) diameter. Nickel-free hooks.

• Amazonite - Courage
• Cherry Quartz - Hope, Love, Compassioon
• Goldstone - Creativity, Ambition, Protection
• Howlite - Calm, Letting go of attachments
• Malachite - Transformation, Positive Change, Leadership
• Shell - Intuition, Sensitivity, Imagination
• more to come! Pendants too.

design © 2026 UU Women and Religion