Association of Universalist Women

It felt like winter outside but that didn’t stop 80+ intrepid women from celebrating spring together at Koinonia Retreat Center this weekend (April 12-14).

Bluebird spotted on nature walk

Here are a few photos from the retreat.  I will soon post many more for all of you to enjoy.

Snowy Woods

Nature Walk

View from the main lodge

Sacred Space

The AUW Spring Retreat is 11 days away!  Here is important info to know ahead of time.

RETREAT SCHEDULE
See the full schedule of activities online.  If link doesn’t work, copy this into browser:  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0ByGbj1dE64V5ZVFxTS0yOXUwbHc/edit?usp=sharing 

MASSAGE & SPIRITUAL ADVISOR APPOINTMENT BOOKING
This year, Massage and Spiritual Advisor appointments can be booked in advance online. There are two masseuses and two spiritual advisors with a total of 46 massage sessions and 10 spiritual advisor appointments, respectively. We are trying advanced booking in order to make the very best use of their time. 

Click here to see Appointment Booking Schedule and Fee Info. You can sign up right on this Google document by adding your name in the time slot desired. This document lives “in the cloud” and any change made to it is automatically saved. Whenever you open it, you will see what time slots remain.  Any slots not filled in advance will be open for booking in person at the Retreat at the Welcome Table.

By the way, Massage appts are available starting 3pm Fri — start your weekend early!

ESSENTIAL INFO
See the Retreat page for essential info about:
– what to bring
– Koinonia Center amenities and location
– driving directions from Twin Cities

ADDITIONAL INFO
Here are some recommended items to bring for certain workshops in 2013:

• Nature Walk – sturdy walking shoes, long pants, hat, binoculars, rain gear.
• Sing-a-long – “Rise Up Singing” book if you have it.
• What Are You Reading? – book recommendations.
• Knitting 101 class – size 8 needles (some needles & yarn will be provided).
• Knitting Clinic – current project or swatches and needles to practice techniques.
• Peace Stories – notebooks & pens
• Photography – bring any kind of camera; phone camera is fine.
• Astronomy – astronomy app on smart phone/tablet if you have one.
• Writing Workshop – journal/notebook & pen.
• Needle Felting – all supplies are provided, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring them.
• Easy Yoga – yoga mat

ON-SITE VOLUNTEER NEEDS
Here’s a list of tasks at Koinonia that need doing to set up our fabulous weekend. Please consider coming a couple hours early to help!  If you have a friend or acquaintance coming to the Retreat, why not ask them to do one of these tasks with you?

Please sign up for one here (online google doc). You will get a friendly reminder prior to Fri April 12th. THANK YOU!

• 4-5 people to help put up decorations 2pm – 4.30pm. Decorating Planning team has everything ready to assemble & place!
• 2 people to set up materials for the Welcome Table & Lobby 3pm – 4pm
• 1 or 2 people to staff the Welcome Table and hand out packets 4pm – 6pm
• 1 person to greet folks in Lobby 4pm – 6pm. [Not totally necessary but really nice]
• 2 people to help Debbie Cash unload art materials & set up the Art Room. Time TBD.
• 2 people to help Debbie Cash pack up art materials on Sunday after lunch.
• 2 people to help Debbie load her car on Sunday afternoon.

DIFFERENT THIS YEAR:

• We ask each guest to bring their own shawls or scarves, plus one to lend! 
• There will be no candle-lit night-time labyrinth this year. Two day-time slots for self-led groups have been scheduled. If you wish a night-time walk (which is very cool), we recommend a bringing strong flashlight, as it is very dark!  The stars are amazing from that field, too.
• There are no set times for Bonfire and Sauna. These must be lit and managed on your own; please feel free to ask about it!

ROOM ASSIGNMENTS
Per usual, you will find out your assigned room and room-mate(s) when you pick up your Welcome Packet at Koinonia Center.  For those of you who requested a specific room-mate or a particular need, every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate your request.

2012 Good Friday Rally (yes, that was April, but the weather was amazingly warm)

AUW is again sponsoring a FREE bus to the rally at Planned Parenthood on Fri March 29th. Last year our bus brought nearly 50 enthusiastic supporters to the event!  Let’s match that record!

Our group will attend the rally for 2 hours from 10am – 12nn, including the 11am Interfaith service led by MN RCRC. The Bus will depart & return to the 1st U parking lot. Total time away is 9.30am – 12.45pm.

Check in with Lisa Ragsdale in the 1st U parking lot. Please let her know if you will be riding the bus on the way back.

DEPART CHURCH: 9.30am sharp please, church parking lot
DEPART RALLY:  approx 12.15pm, from pick-up location TBA
RETURN TO CHURCH:  approx 12.45pm

RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• You must be able to walk & stand for 2 hours straight. Wear comfy warm shoes!
• Dress warmly, as this is entirely outdoors, rain, sleet or shine. [if you're freezing, you will be able to warm up inside the PP building.]
• Bring cash/card for the Food Trucks and PP t-shirts. (Yes, Food Trucks!)

  PS: PP provides nice pink placards!

Rally outside new Planned Parenthood HQ.

As sure as spring is coming, so are the Good Friday anti-choice protesters. So once again this year, MNRCRC is honored to lead 2 brief worship services as a part of the Good Friday Solidarity Event at Planned Parenthood&# 39;s new facility in St. Paul. The clinic is typically picketed by hundreds of protesters, people who do not believe that a woman should be able to make her own personal health care decisions. We show up as progressive people of faith to pray & sing, to celebrate the courageous providers who serve women with dignity, who offer professional & compassionate reproductive health care. We show up to stand against the distorted religious messages of shame & guilt that are heaped on women for their very sexuality. Please plan to join us as we celebrate the availability of quality professional reproductive healthcare & welcome springtime to MN. It’s a holy day.

Good Friday Solidarity Event at
Planned Parenthood
671 Vandalia St., St. Paul
Friday, March 29, 9am-3pm
MNRCRC ecumenical worship svcs at 11am & 1pm

Parking is limited – public transportation is encouraged.

Interested in taking a bus from the Uptown area of Mpls? Contact Rev. Kelli at execdir@mnrcrc. org

Hope to see you there!