celebrating the creative flow of our lives and our connection to Mother Earth

WomanSpirit 2001, the winter conference, was presented by the Women and Religion Committee, Central Midwest District of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the First Unitarian Church of South Bend, on January 26-28, 2001. Songs echoed through the halls of University of Notre Dame's Center for Continuing Education McKenna Hall. Drumming pulsed under our feet. Good spirits, laughter, and happy voices wove joyfully through the experience.

Keynote speaker Susan Wittig Albert, author of two mystery series and Writing from Life: Telling Your Soul's Story, encouraged participants to record and remember significant religious moments in their early lives. One participant said "I connected with the speaker in ways I haven't before. Great to be able to participate!" Women wrote about experiences at Ms. Albert's suggestion, sharing them with each other and with the group.

The Drumming circle of the First Unitarian Church of South Bend created a CD of drumming and chants. Over $2000 was raised from the sale of this CD. The money will be used to install a solar powered water purification system in the remote village of Toledo, Belize. Thanks to all who supported this fine effort to help women help themselves. [CDs are still available!!]

Participants kicked off the weekend on Friday night by gathering in small groups in designated River Rooms. Singing "As the River We Flow," they came together as one large river of women, filling the auditorium with song. The main ceremony centered around a beautiful altar of sacred water representing our magical and mysterious bond with the waters of the Earth. Workshops began at 6:45 a.m. with yoga and continued throughout the day. Workshops centered around creative expression, body movement, health and wellness, and mind/heart exploration. One participant observed, "Serendipity. Exactly what I needed. WOW."

For the first time, WomanSpirit provided ChildrenSpirit, quality activities that mirrored workshop themes for girls up to age 16 and boys up to age 5. It was highly rated and will be continued next year. Over 200 women attended. Interested participants came from as far as California and Washington. People were asking how to get this kind of enthusiasm and excitement going in their districts. There have been 13 conferences and people keep coming back. Women say it has become a part of their lives.

Women communed in a joyful spirit, playing, coming to dinner in elegant gowns, and singing to fill their hearts. Discussing the value of free time, one woman said, "the universe provided exactly what I was lacking, for too long: a group of like-minded women that I could connect with, learn from, laugh with and thoroughly enjoy. I feel like my soul has been awakened from a long sleep!"

Thanks to First Unitarian Church of South Bend, and to local committee members Mary Hagen and Kathy Platt (co-chairs), Barbara Carmichael, Kimberly Ginn, Lynn Marie Helvey, Diana Mendelsohn, Molly Moon, Gretchen Ohmann, Lynn Owsianowski, Susan Siemers, Peggy Stevens, Marj Stradley, Ellen Triebold, and Elly Wynia!


-- Misty Sheehan