Comments for cakes for the queen of heaven

Comment on Facilitators tips by cakesadmin

cakesadmin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:30:35 +0000

The files are included in the data CD that comes with Volume I of Cakes. We’ve also uploaded these three to the Facilitators Resources on our main website. Go to http://www.cakesforthequeenofheaven.org, click on “Facilitators Resources” on the left, and a list of PDF documents available — these and some extra ones not included in the CD — will appear on the left of the screen.

How did your classes go?

Peace,

Gretchen

Comment on Facilitators tips by Lonney Corder-Agnew

Lonney Corder-Agnew — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:55:52 +0000

A friend and I are facilitating a Cakes course at our church. As directed in the curriculum, I went to the website to get copies of “Our Lady of the Mammoths” “Why Women Need the Goddess” and the timeline. I saw no such link on the website. How do I access these?
Thanks for your time.

Comment on Question: men in the Cakes class? by Tabitha Metreger

Tabitha Metreger — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:52:57 +0000

As a UU opposed to segregation of any kind, including gender segregation, it is disappointing to discover that so many UU churches still cling to the gender-segregated groups of traditional churches. UU congregations are generally progressive on every other integration and diversity front; why not this one?

I respect the fact that many UUs enjoy gender-segregated groups and that for many who have been harmed, these groups may be the only ones offering a necessary level of safety in which to participate. But to me, it seems counterintuitive to exclude men from a class of this sort. If you want to educate people on racism in America, do you teach only minority students? If you want to teach respect for Islam, do you offer classes restricted to Muslims?

When it comes to religion and ethnicity, we seem to understand that the only way to break through the ignorance and stereotypes is by bringing people together and fostering intergroup dialogue. Imagine facilitating a class with white and black students–would you suggest that the whites need a group of their own and the blacks need a group without whites?

I agree with Marnie that we need to get beyond gender as a binary division. Sadly, there seems to be no place, even in UU congregations, for those of us who do not feel comfortable lumped into our apparent gender category. In reality, gender is on a continuum and, as such, the binary division simply does not make any sense.

Comment on Cakes in Your Church? by Robin Scherer

Robin Scherer — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:10:50 +0000

In May, the UUFC of Columbia, SC started a Cakes group with the In Ancient Times curriculum. We were very fortunate to have a theology professor from one of the colleges in the area as our group leader. We’re resuming our meetings next week with the On The Threshold series. This time, we’ll share the responsibility for facilitating the sessions among the group members. Our sessions will run weekly on Tues. from 10/6 – 11/10.

Comment on More Goddesses by melissa gatica

melissa gatica — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:21:52 +0000

I saw the name Nicola Danks on your blog. Over 30 years ago I had a close friend in Midland, Mich. named Nicola Danks. Making dolls and women’ spirit camp sounds like my Nicola. If anyone has contact information for her or knows her, please forward this note. My former last name was “Halstead”. Thanks.
Melissa

Comment on Cakes in Your Church? by Joanne Grazide

Joanne Grazide — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:30:55 +0000

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County is offering Cakes starting last week, May 13. Our registration far exceeded our expectations, and we are pleased and delighted to participate in this course.

The course is being given by SisterCircle, who are part of the Adult Enrichment of the Congregation.

We hope that women will add to these comments, as the course progresses.

Comment on Cakes T3 (Train-The-Trainer) in the midwest by Janet Nortrom

Janet Nortrom — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:35:13 +0000

The First Unitarian Society Milwaukee was so fortunate to again have about 25 women participate in the “Cakes” curriculum. So many women were inspired by this goddess history and revealing of the partriarchial practices that continue even today. So many women were anxious to take back this “Cakes” curriculum to their churches and teach. This was an enlightening experience and what a joy to see Janet’s picture up on the web.
Blessed Be and Thanks to the Central Midwest Woman and Religion committee, the UU Women’s Connection and the Unitarian Universalist Women and Religion that provided all the women and opportunites to learn and study this curriculum again in our district.

Comment on Cakes in Your Church? by Melinda Perrin

Melinda Perrin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:29:15 +0000

The First Unitarian Society of Schenectady is offering Cakes starting in September 2009. Rumors about its return started to circle in February and since we were getting calls and e-mails, we announced it on Thursday, February 19th at the Evening Alliance and by e-mail. Registration was full by the next Sunday. Never doubt the need for this material. Thank you, Rev. Shirley Ann Ranck for initiating all this!

Judy Clough and Melinda Perrin, co-facilitators

Comment on Question: men in the Cakes class? by Melinda Perrin

Melinda Perrin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:21:11 +0000

Years ago at the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, we did an adjunct course for men (and women who were curious but did not have the time or inclination to take the full course). It was affectionately known as “Cupcakes” or more appropriately perhaps, “CUUPScakes”. It involved screening the three Donna Read films followed by discussions. These were well attended and the follow-up evaluations were very positive and led to further familt discussions about raising children in a more power-shared environment.

Comment on Question: men in the Cakes class? by Lonnie

Lonnie — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:00:50 +0000

Another issue to consider it whether there are other forums within the congregation for men who find the divine feminine to be an important part of their spirituality. When I first came to my congregation, there were no places for men to explore either the divine feminine or ancient earth-based traditions. In that situation, a course open only to women can feel exclusionary (and I hear the argument too that some exclusion may be necessary to counter the hundreds of years of exclusion by men).

I also feel that it is especially important for any gender exclusive group (men or women) to be very involved in dialogue with other groups within the congregation. I think that dialogue can help show that really it is about creating a place for woman, not a place without men.