International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women February 2009

Weaving Global Partnerships to Enrich Womens Lives

Create a learning, living worldwide community to Share our stories and learn from each other Worship, dance, sing and celebrate together Motivate each other to action Encourage and support emerging leaders Inspire lasting partnerships and friendships committed to working together to enrich womens lives

An inclusive gathering of U*U women from around the world will meet to Educate ourselves about womens rights worldwide Engage with others to cooperate on action Ground our action in faith and theological principles Transform ourselves and our world

Challenges Global poverty The politics of power and oppression Right relations between unequal partners Sexuality, health care and safety Access to educational opportunities Global climate crisis and environmental issues The role of religion in oppressing or supporting women

Lead Presenters Rebecca Adamson, First Peoples Worldwide Margot Adler, National Public Radio Jennifer Baumgardner & Amy Richards, Third Wave Feminism Emmas Revolution, Peace, Salaam, Shalom Rev. Laurel Hallman, First Unitarian Dallas Dr. Kalpana Kannabiran, Hyderabad, India Frances Moore Lappe*, Democracys Edge Alice Kenmuto Magara, Kenya Kathy Matsui, International Association of Liberal Religious Women *Invited

Lead Presenters Carolyn McDade, Spirit of Life Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Fourth Universalist NYC Dr. Christine Nielsen, University of Baltimore Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, Starr King School Rev. Ann Peart, Unitarian College, Manchester, England Rev. Meg Riley, UUA Advocacy and Witness Rev. Rebecca Sienes, UU Church of the Philippines Dr. Diana Strassman, Rice University, Houston Dr. Sharon Welch, Meadville Lombard More to come…………

Convocation participants from UUA congregations and organizations International participants from Canada, Great Britain, Transylvania, Hungary, the Philippines, Latin America, South Africa, Indonesia, India, Czech Republic, France, Finland, Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere

Sponsors Unitarian Universalist Association International Council of Unitarians and Universalists Southwest UU Women UU Womens Federation UU Partner Church Council UU Service Committee UU Women & Religion U*U groups in Australia/New Zealand, India, the Philippines, South Africa, and Transylvania more to come….

Costs Convocation Registration $350 – includes four meals Early registration $299 – pay $100 now, remainder by November 1, 2008 Scholarship Fund: a limited amount of financial assistance will be available for both domestic and international participants

Save the Date! 26 February – 1 March, 2009 Hilton of the Americas Houston, Texas Registration and scholarship information at

What You Can Do to Prepare for the Convocation Encourage your congregation or organization to dedicate a special collection to the Convocation Scholarship Fund.

What You Can Do to Prepare for the Convocation Support at least two women from your congregation or organization to attend the Convocation – one youth or young adult and one older woman. Support two women from your partner congregation to attend.

What You Can Do to Prepare for the Convocation Participate in the Global Literacy Project: Weaving our U*U Global Village Network in your congregation or organization.

Global Literacy Project: Weaving our U*U Global Village Network This six session program, with Internet resources, provides a process for exploring what we need to know to become more engaged citizens of our U*U global village. To sign up, visit

Steering Committee Barbara Beach Chair, Advisory Committee Mary Overton Executive Director and Finance Laura Nagel Administrator and Logistics Cathy Cordes International Hospitality Arlene Johnson Communications Gail Tittle Local Committee

Advisory Committee Barbara Kres Beach, Chair UUA Presidents Cathy Cordes Executive Director, UU Partner Church Council Rev. Dr. Dorothy Emerson Affiliate Minister, UU Womens Federation Elissa Goss YRUU, First UU Church Houston Gay Ann Gustafson UUSC National Volunteer Network Rev. Olivia Holmes International Association of Liberal Religious Women Rev. Carol Huston Women's Rights Worldwide and Community Unitarian Church of White Plains, NY Arlene Johnson Past President, UU Womens Federation Maria Sinkford, Honorary Chair

More Advisory Committee Rev. Jill McAllister International Council of Unitarians and Universalists Rosemary Matson 1980 Women & Religion Convocation Prof. Christine Nielsen Women's Rights Worldwide and Buhata Pinay Program, UU Church of Annapolis Mary Overton UU-United Nations Office Rev. Shirley Ranck MSUU-Ministerial Sisterhood Unitarian Universalist Rev. Rebecca Sienes Buhata Pinay Program, UU Church of the Philippines Gail Tittle Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston TX Rev. Addae L. Watson UU Women & Religion Amy Youngblood Southwest UU Women Rev. Dr. Helen Zidowecki UU Womens Heritage Society