International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women February 2009

1. International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist WomenFebruary 2009

2. Weaving Global Partnerships to Enrich Women’s Lives

3. 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 women’s lives

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

5. 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

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

7. 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…………

8. 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

9. Sponsors • Unitarian Universalist Association • International Council of Unitarians and Universalists • Southwest UU Women • UU Women’s 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….

10. 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

11. Save the Date! • 26 February – 1 March, 2009 • Hilton of the Americas Houston, Texas • Registration and scholarship information at www.icuuw.com

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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 www.icuuw.com.

16. Steering Committee • Barbara BeachChair, Advisory Committee • Mary OvertonExecutive Director and Finance • Laura NagelAdministratorand Logistics • Cathy CordesInternational Hospitality • Arlene Johnson • Communications • Gail TittleLocal Committee

17. Maria Sinkford, Honorary Chair Advisory Committee Barbara Kres Beach, ChairUUA President’s Cathy CordesExecutive Director, UU Partner Church CouncilRev. Dr. Dorothy EmersonAffiliate Minister, UU Women’s FederationElissa GossYRUU, First UU Church HoustonGay Ann GustafsonUUSC National Volunteer NetworkRev. Olivia HolmesInternational Association of Liberal Religious WomenRev. Carol HustonWomen's Rights Worldwide andCommunity Unitarian Church of White Plains, NYArlene JohnsonPast President, UU Women’s Federation

18. More Advisory Committee Rev. Jill McAllisterInternational Council of Unitarians and Universalists Rosemary Matson1980 Women & Religion ConvocationProf. Christine NielsenWomen's Rights Worldwide andBuhata Pinay Program, UU Church of AnnapolisMary OvertonUU-United Nations OfficeRev. Shirley RanckMSUU-Ministerial Sisterhood Unitarian UniversalistRev. Rebecca SienesBuhata Pinay Program, UU Church of the Philippines Gail Tittle Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston TX Rev. Addae L. WatsonUU Women & ReligionAmy YoungbloodSouthwest UU WomenRev. Dr. Helen ZidoweckiUU Women’s Heritage Society