# data[].attributes.body
Join Us for Our 12 November Gathering!

When we selected this topic it seemed like an obvious choice. This month includes Thanksgiving in the US, a time for families and friends to gather over a feast, celebrated for some of us in spite of its flawed history. Many other cultures observe a day of thanks for the harvest in the fall as well. The result of the US election, which we realize also affects the rest of world even though you all don’t get a vote, has made it more challenging for many of us to think of good things. But we need a practice of gratitude more than ever in dark times.

Gratitude can be a feeling or a spiritual practice, and can lead us to reflect on our lives in this fall season. Mary Oliver’s poem “Gratitude” focuses on the beauties of the world, but you may have more personal and specific things you are thinking about. Another poem you might want to look at is Marge Piercy’s “The Art of Blessing the Day.”

As we discuss these two poems, we could share what we feel grateful for, our practices and our customs.

Poem: “Gratitude” by Mary Oliver

What did you notice?
The dew-snail;
the low-flying sparrow;
the bat, on the wind, in the dark;
big-chested geese, in the V of sleekest performance;
the soft toad, patient in the hot sand;
the sweet-hungry ants;
the uproar of mice in the empty house;
the tin music of the cricket’s body;
the blouse of the goldenrod.
What did you hear?
The thrush greeting the morning;
the little bluebirds in their hot box;
the salty talk of the wren,
then the deep cup of the hour of silence.
When did you admire?
The oaks, letting down their dark and hairy fruit;
the carrot, rising in its elongated waist;
the onion, sheet after sheet, curved inward to the pale green wand;
at the end of summer the brassy dust, the almost liquid beauty of the flowers;
then the ferns, scrawned black by the frost.
What astonished you?
The swallows making their dip and turn over the water.
What would you like to see again?
My dog: her energy and exuberance, her willingness,
her language beyond all nimbleness of tongue,
her recklessness, her loyalty, her sweetness,
her strong legs, her curled black lip, her snap.
What was most tender?
Queen Anne’s lace, with its parsnip root;
the everlasting in its bonnets of wool;
the kinks and turns of the tupelo’s body;
the tall, blank banks of sand;
the clam, clamped down.
What was most wonderful?
The sea, and its wide shoulders;
the sea and its triangles;
the sea lying back on its long athlete’s spine.
What did you think was happening?
The green beast of the hummingbird;
the eye of the pond;
the wet face of the lily;
the bright, puckered knee of the broken oak;
the red tulip of the fox’s mouth;
the up-swing, the down-pour, the frayed sleeve of the first snow—
so the gods shake us from our sleep.

# data[].attributes.body
Couldn't get it in to the "small" group chat as it was 6 people. But I was affirmed but also very saddened recently to hear that a colleague's 12yo son thought as I do that for the sake of the survival of animals of the world it would be better if humans went extinct soon, as we don't seem to be able to restrain our murderous and deeply damaging way of life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
A rescued cow nuzzles Executive Director Rev. John Gibb Millspaugh at a farmed animal sanctuary. Photo: Beth Redwood

# data[].attributes.body
Join ICUUW on Tuesday 22 October to hear from UU Animal Ministry https://www.uuam.org

Rev. Stacey Mitchell will talk with us about the UU Animal Ministry (UUAM) and the history of Animal Ministry within UUism. And also cover the many different forms of animal advocacy that UUAM is involved in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rev John Gibb Millspaugh at a farmed animal sanctuary Photo Beth Redwood

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.intlwomensconvo.org/page/donate

# data[].attributes.body
We heard a presentation by Resilient 40's Michael Kakande.

The #Resilient40 (#R40) is an African youth climate organization and network made up of over 168 youth organizations and over 70 prominent young leaders, and we are very active on ground within 30 African countries. We are the youth cluster lead under the non state actors steering committee channeling African youth voices into decision making processes across Africa. We are a core partner of the COP Water for Climate Pavilion so an active voice within the UNFCCC processes.

We are a unique diverse cross-sectoral group of passionate youth NGOs committed to working with communities on climate justice, gender, governance, finance, nature conservation, human rights, climate resilience, and making their voices heard across Africa and globally.

This next generation of leaders created a platform to build momentum to face then threat of climate change and to improve climate resilience across Africa and around the world. Given our work around gender equity, climate justice, governance, finance, Biodiversity, Energy, nature conservation, climate justice, research, food security, migration, chemical and waste management, climate change, debt relief, capacity building and policy work allover the African continent. We are a core partner of a global coalition for global governance fostering African youth voices into such global governance processes.

https://resilient40.org/

# data[].attributes.headline
I think this is an exciting idea that can make interactions easy and fun

# data[].attributes.subject
I think this is an exciting idea that can make interactions easy and fun

# data[].attributes.body
I could imagine an extra page for books and other resources people want to share, maybe one for projects and comments about them. And some sort of discussion space. And it's good for official notices like Zsofi's as well as personal messages to the group like Elgiva's

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Map of UU women's retreats in the US and Canada, compiled by UU Women and Religion

# data[].attributes.body
Interactive map with links to each group here: https://www.uuwr.org/resources/districtgroups/uu-women-s-gatherings

# data[].attributes.headline
We have been invited to join this Conglomeration of Christian faith groups but I do not know where we fit in. Their God is our Teacher and Brother.. May need a session..

# data[].attributes.subject
We have been invited to join this Conglomeration of Christian faith groups but I do not know where we fit in. Their God is our Teacher and Brother.. May need a session..

# data[].attributes.body
Decorated Houses at Easter
Lots and lots of info available if you look at the web under watering Monday heading or Locsolkodas

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Most common way of decorating Easter eggs

# data[].attributes.body
Watering with cologne water

# data[].attributes.body
Transylvanian Easter Traditions
A group of young men going house to house

# data[].attributes.headline
When countries go to war.. I blame myself too for letting it happen. I feel guilty since I have not mediate, negotiate, or put a stop to the war before it began.. At least we can pray for the leaders so they reach some points of understanding... I thought we have gotten over warfare, learnt from the past.. but here we are again and again witnessing bloodbath,destruction, homelessness, hunger and terror. Let us pray and keep those who suffers the effects in our heart.

# data[].attributes.subject
When countries go to war.. I blame myself too for letting it happen. I feel guilty since I have not mediate, negotiate, or put a stop to the war before it began.. At least we can pray for the leaders so they reach some points of understanding... I thought we have gotten over warfare, learnt from the past.. but here we are again and again witnessing bloodbath,destruction, homelessness, hunger and terror. Let us pray and keep those who suffers the effects in our heart.

# data[].attributes.body
You are invited to attend IWC's events at the virtual NGO CSW66 Forum on 21 and 24 March 2022!  The Forum - running in parallel with the official sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women - offers civil society from around the world opportunities to discuss issues pertaining to women and girls, network, and share strategies/best practices. There is no cost for you to participate. More info and registration here: https://intlwomensconvo.org/page/iwc-s-parallel-events-at-csw66

# data[].attributes.headline
I wish us all excellent health and lots of immunity to fight Covid that has decided to stay on planet earth for a longer time. Let us stay connected. We need to boost each other's morale time and again. Stay blessed everyone.

# data[].attributes.subject
I wish us all excellent health and lots of immunity to fight Covid that has decided to stay on planet earth for a longer time. Let us stay connected. We need to boost each other's morale time and again. Stay blessed everyone.

# data[].attributes.body
I really missed these

# data[].attributes.headline
Wow. This is great. The faces that gives hope and strength to one and all. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Wow. This is great. The faces that gives hope and strength to one and all. 

# data[].attributes.body
I wish each one the best of Health and Recovery from all that we have gone through during these traumatic,trying and learning times.
Packing up lots of Warmth, Hugs and Love to each one of my Sisters out there.

# data[].attributes.body
Hello Everyone. Am not able to view any posts. Pl bear with me. Will look for options. Much Love and hugs to all members.