This year, we are resuming our in-person Spiritual Retreat, returning to the Mission Springs conference center in Scotts Valley, in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains.  Come and experience this amazing, serene environment and see old friends, while re-connecting with nature and reinvigorating your personal sense of awe in the wonders of creation.

The forms for registration, scholarship application and the retreat flyer are all available in the links below.

**** REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 15, 2023 ****

Please register as soon as possible.  We have a maximum of 60 participants.

Theme:  Connecting with Creation and Experiencing a Sense of Awe

Leader:  Rev. Jennifer Goto

Rev. Jennifer Goto is an ordained elder in the UMC.  She has served at St. Paul’s UMC in San Jose and was active in their ministry at San Jose State University.  She was extensively involved in organizing PACT (People Acting in Community Together).  She is currently directing the “Bread of Life Center” in Sacramento, California.

Forms and materials:

• Spiritual Retreat Flyer (share with friends, post around church, etc.)
• Registration Form
• Scholarship Application Form
• Map of Mission Springs Grounds
• Map with hiking / walking trails

To register by mail: (required for scholarship applicants)

1. print out and complete registration form.
2. print out and complete scholarship application (if applicable)
3. Obtain scholarship recommendation from UWF president or pastor (if applicable)
4. Mail completed form(s) and payment (minus any scholarship from the district) to:

Carolyn Bircher, 1663 Martin Ave.  Sunnyvale, CA 94087

To register online and pay using PayPal:

Recapture that “Sense of Awe”

I remember as a child, camping with my family in Big Basin.  My sister and I were so enthralled with the redwoods that we spent hours laying on our backs, just staring up at the tree tops.  (My parents were pretty disgusted when they developed the pictures from our brownie camera, only to find that all of them looked pretty much like this one!).  Come and recapture that sense of childlike awe at Mission Springs!

~Laurie Lindsey

Connect and Learn Main Program Slides and links:

• runOfShow.ppt
• Link to “Committed” recording: “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
• Link to “Committed” Website:  https://www.committedsings.com/
• “I Asked the Lord” –  sung by Michelle Partsch

Keynote Presentation – Charter for Racial Justice

Our keynote speaker, Jo Ann Lawson, has provided the following materials.  You may want to print out the Charter for Racial Justice before the presentation.

• Charter for Racial Justice
• Charter for Racial Justice Club Guidelines
• Social Action Coordination 2022
• Climate Justice – Just Energy For All_Poster
• 13 Steps for Sustainable Event Planning
• Charter for Racial Justice Timeline
• Racial Equity Tools (World Trust Educational Services 2019)
• Racial Equity Tools Glossary
• Racial Justice Engagement Opportunities

Unfortunately, the capture of the keynote presentation was not successful.  I apologize.  ~ Laurie

Presidents

• Link to Presidents breakout session

Communications and Technology (Laurie Lindsey and Saniata Melchor)

• Communication and Technology Slides
• Conference Communication Plan

Membership Nurture and Outreach (Joyce Wilkinson and Leslie Fisk)

• United Women in faith “EXCITE-INVITE” booklet
• Ideas for Recruiting New Members 2023
• Membership, Nurture and Outreach Slide Presentation
• YouTube Video:  Centering Ritual & Plenary: Many Voices, One Faith

Reading Program

• UWF Reading Program

Social Action Links and resources

• link to recording of session on Social Action
• https://umcmission.org/earthkeepers/
• https://farmworkercaravan.com/
• https://canvuwf.org/beulah
• Wish list from Bill Wilson Center

Our 2023 Connect and Learn will be held via a Zoom meeting on February 4, 2023.

Featured Speaker:  Jo Ann Lawson will speak about the UWF Charter for Racial Justice.  (Also, If you haven’t already read it, the “Charter for Racial Justice Timeline” is interesting and educational reading.)  Jo Ann has provided materials in advance of the program.  Please access the link and print out the Charter for Racial Justice.

Breakout Sessions:   There will be two sets of breakout sessions.  Some breakouts will be featured twice.  The following table lists the choices.

In 2022, we received some feedback about the breakout sessions being too short, so we have tried to give more time to the breakouts (45 minutes each).  In addition, many folks asked if they could get the emails for the other folks their sessions.  On the registration, there is a question about whether or not you are willing to share your email.

In addition to the usual sessions, there is one breakout session that is exclusively devoted to “connecting” and sharing things that you feel your unit has done well.

We hope to see you on  Zoom!  Note that you will receive a link via email that is specific for your registration!  It will be emailed to you again 1 week before the event and a couple of days before the event.