WOMEN and RELIGION TASK FORCE A committee of Che Pacificcencral otscrlct. UnllartanUnlversallst ASSOciallon JUNE 1992 we initially started attending thei Un tarian church Once again, we had an eager, maxinun-capacity in order that one of our grandchildren might take part group of -we.men for our weekend retreat, at least in the YRUU program. Within a few ITOnths, there was an 15 of whan were first-timers or "virgins." adult program offered which appealed to us. During the "Discovering the Goddess Within" was the theme, introduction, I mentioned I was interested in "feminine celebrated with circles, rituals, vesper service, spirituality," and discovered t"'10 other wanen who were worship service, fun and games, great food and also interested in this topic. In a few 1TOre 1TOnths a wonderful people! 'lbanks are due to Planning notice was put into our church newsletter saying "Magic Ccmnittee members Judith Michaels, Jeanne Cleroons, is afoot, the Goddess is alive. If you are interested, Karen Bunch, Annie Kenq;,ees, Grace Ito. please cane to a neeting." we were pleased to have t"'10 ministers arong us: Rev. Jody Shipley who conducted an evening vespers 'nus was the beginning of a 'NOOderful period in my ritual, and Rev. Sue Ayer. '!here was a standing life where I found a group of wanen who were on a ovation for wanen present who were past conveners similar path. I was encouraged to attend the WJren and of the W&Rl'F since 1977: Liz Fisher, Margaret Pearce, Religion Task Force retreat which was being held that Irene Raby, Mary Heath-walter, Meg E!cJrAnan, Betty year at the Ralston t,ru.te Center. My life has been Ortez, caroline Finch, Jeanne Cleroons, and Rev. enriched by my contact with the wanen in the PCD who Jody Shipley (our first co-convener!, along with are part of the W&Rl'F, as well as those who attend the Rosemary Matson). retreats but do not necessarily have time to attend the Circles included Feminist Poetry, Lilith, Disoovering IOOOthly meetings. Meeting this group of wonderful the Goddess Within,. Drumning, '1he Magic of Ritual, powerful -wemen has brought a clarity to my own Body Movement, Beauty and the Goddess Within, spiritual path. I love the diversity of our group. I Introduction to the Goddess, Wise w:xten:. crating appreciate the fact that each 1!,1CIIBil is valued for her Concluding our joyful caning together with our unique beingness. N:ine of us "nust" fit a m:>ld or business meeting and a worship service -- we said pattern. We are free to BE. �t a beautiful gift to our farewells, hoping to meet again at the fall give to each other as we continue on our journey. retreat, if not at one of our rronthly meetings before that time. - caroline Finch Meno fran Bookshop Ccmnittee at the westminster Retreat Retreat attendees are to be oairnended for the way they used the honor systan for the booksh.:lp this year. Several camented en how pleased YOO were with the new ccmputerized system of having prices printed on"postit" stickers, making it easy to pay. 51 books were sold. we have one missing: "l'-Blitations for WJren � Do Too fotlch," by Anne Wilson Schaef. Should you discover you have ADIJ. 8-9 Berke] ey overnight; planning/waddng inadvertently gotten hane with this book, you can sessiai todiscuss future; ph:Jne Doddie easily send your check for $10.77 to Erna Olker, if interested. 1145 Jamestown Drive, Sunnyvale CA 94087. Sep. 12 San Francisco Omrch, 1187 Franklin Saturday and Geary. Garage entrance, st.arr l.lam-3pa !ting Nay. Bring food to share. Oct. 2-4 FAIL m:m&\T, "'ilxlclly ll::mell, • Fri.-sm. MaJ:ocni 0:mfei:ence Center, "1alal.es ltw. 14 San Mateo W Omrch, 300 E. Santa Saturday Inez; d.i.J:ectiam, Sally Reed, 415/ 6 7-8433. Bring food to share. �.-Tues., June 22-23: IAIRW US/CANADA �. l.lam-Jpll 9 calgary, Alberta, Canada: "Sisterhood Across the �ld." Natalie Gulbrandsal, keynoter. \<brkshops, worship, etc. $70 registration by June 7. SPRJR; 1993 RETREAT IS SETFCRAPRIL 23-25 VCIDff'El?BS ARENEfJE>'IOCHiMIZE! August 26: ibnen's �ity Day (73rd anniversary of P1r.tm [ODIE CR CARCLINE, �. 'CR passage of the 19th hnerlctnent to the Olnstitution, aJim 'IO NEK"l' WIR'ft' Mml'IKiNI>IEI''S TAU! giving waien the right to vote in 1920.) "=================-=· ==-=-==============::::!.I W&RTF Newsletter, June 1992, page 2 NEHS, VIEHS, & � � OF WIRTF MIK.JTES- March, April and May 1992 CAROLINE FINCH of PCO and BETSY STEVENS of P5'WD will co­ March 28, 1992 (at the walnut Creek Omrch) chair a joint gathering of \tbten & Religion district Seven wanen were present. Doddie Stone convened. representatives nationwide for a ccmnunity building Plans are pending for the overnight planning session 'ileekend in Boston ccmnencing October 30. Each district set for August 8-9; no deposit made. sends at least two representatives. W&R worship service scheduled for PCO Annual t-Eeting April 4 may be in conflict with workshops. MARY FLIO< was honored in a gala cerem:J11y May 2 for Coddie will check with planning ccmnittee and try to achievements of Extraordinary lesbians OVer 60. Mary switch to afternoon. has been active in the Peace MJvement, fOl, the ERA Cacplilrents were given to Dorothy Satir for campaign, and wanen' s groups in the Unitarian Olurch. newsletter. OS would like to see more of what's going She has perfonned extensively with the M:>therTongue on in our churches re wanen's activities, personal Feminist Theatre Collective and the Options for \tbten stories and observations, excerpts of relevant over 40 Experilrental '!beater. articles. She was given editorial license to choose contents as sane sulJnissions overlong. Next issue to be mailed out June l in time to take to GA along with '{hanks! our brochure. THANKS to DIANA SWENSON for her generous contribution '!banks expressed to Alice wallace for helping to to the newsletter mailing costs. Diana and husband Dick reorganize mailing list, and to Annice Black for have moved to Reno, but Diana will continue as the canputerizing it. W&RTF liaison with the PCD Board. We're fortunate to Diana �son, PCO liaison, canplilrented Jeanne have Diana's interest and involvement in both groups. Clerrons on getting budget request in early. Diana urged us to let PCD know how they can be of service. THANKS AL9Jto Susan M:>lloy for her check to help CXNer PCO and PSD (Pacific Sou�st District) . are costs of newsletter publication. responsibile for the November 1992 W&R Continental meeting which attracts about 25-30 representatives fran ROSEMARY MATSON writes us about her Sister-to-Sister UUA districts continentalwide. In view of ccmnunication seminar. \'brk is proceeding to bring into existence difficulties, even locally, Helene Goodwin expressed the Center for the Defense of \tbten's Rights in doubt of success in coordinating PCO and PSD districts Alushta, Russia. After ten years of taking Americans with assignments of organization, registration to the USSR to get acquainted with the people, Rosemary structure, "10rship services, etc. Doddie will check will turn her attention to practical ways to help with Mari1yn Gentile, Continental Olair, after April empower the wanen. She wants to get the Mopt-a-Family 18, 'Ntlen Doddie returns fran IARF meeting in Japan. program underway, as well as the Olildren's Art Spring retreat at Westminster, April 10-12, is Exchange. She will take 15 or so wanen with her to filled, with a waiting list. Alushta in August, as �11 as M:>sCO\,\f and St. Following the business section, we adjourned to the Petersburg, on a workil¥] trip -- wanen who have skills main church, where local wc:rnen put on a fine service and knowledge to share with the Russian wanen, and who and excellent production of "Finding Q.ir Forerrothers." would enjoy hanestays. Let her know if you are interested. Q: "Are there many wcmen' s groups operating in PCD Utltarian churches and fellowships?" April ll, 1992 (At the Spring �t) A" "Yes, Virginia, there are indeed -- and here are a Caroline Finch opened with a p:,etry reading. Betty few, as learned at the recent Alamo Retreat: Ortez revie-,,,ed the origin and history of W&RTF, values, CXXJNl'l( enunerating our prarotion of feminist STANISLAUS �P: Presented "Cakes" inclusive language, shared leadership, published last year to 30 wcmen; an intergenerational wcmen • s and retreats. group meets 11'0llthly for a program or activity; sponsors materials, nonthly meetings events - walking group, lxx:>k group, �ing, teas. We have sent representatives to the Continental W&R (Victoria) meetings, sponsored one in 1985; sponsored in 1987 the BERI<E1EY (on the hill): A wcmen's group that meets best-attended PCO meeting, featuring l.JU1l. president Bill during the day; one that meets in the evening; and a SChulz who spoke on "How Feminist Values Will Save the wanen's lo!OrShip group that meets Sunday evening. (Mary) w:>rld.n We have prcnoted the successful "Cakes for SACRAMENID: 'l\io different wcmen's ritual groups, the Queen of Heaven" authored by Rev. Shirley Ranck, meet alternate weeks in the evening; a wcmen's alliance and nc,,.,., ourown Liz Fisher has a pilot ready for the that meets m::inthly during the day for lunch, study, (OXmie) sequel titled "Rise UP and call Her Name," which service. features non-European goddesses and myths. SAN JOSE: Many wcmen's groups; one put on "Cakes" Jody Shipley explained that the 1977 W&R Resolutiai for the fifth time! 1i)t MX>E$'10: Several special interest wanen's groups.