Since the #MeToo Task Force was launched last November, a number of programs and gatherings were organized in our congregation to respond to the call of women and men. See what has already been put in and know there is still much work to be done.
This coming Sunday, June 13th at both services, there will be an announcement of a Resolution, still in draft form, that the #MeToo Task Force will be taking to the Annual Congregational Meeting in June. There will also be a table in the Foyer where you can pick up copies of the early draft of this Resolution as well as information on programs that are ongoing and places where volunteers are needed – especially in the area of education for all ages. This was a high priority listed on the Survey that was conducted in January.
Please let us know if you want to be more involved because we need your help!
#MeToo Task Force
CLICK HERE to E-mail.
ACTION I: Prophetic Preaching and Inclusive Liturgy ACTION
I: Prophetic Preaching and Inclusive Liturgy
| Title | Overview | Lead(s) | Date(s) |
| Reflections on #MeToo | Sunday sermon beginning the conversation about sexual harassment and abuse. | Rev. John & Members of #MeToo Task Force | 12/17/17 |
| Our Own Voices: From Pain to Empowerment | Sunday Service of music and reflections; collection of Faithful Response Survey | Cheryl Paul, Janet Luongo, & Sudha Sankar | 1/28/17 |
| #MeToo Task Force Feedback to TUCW | Task Force Actions and Plans to be disseminated to TUCW community as #ChurchToo | Lynda, Sudha Cheryl | May 2018 |
| Summer Services | Mary-Megan Marshall The Rev. Kimberly Debus “Reclaiming my Time” |
July 8, 2018 July 15, 2018 |
ACTION II: Healing, Support & Education
| Title | Overview | Lead(s) | Date(s) |
| TUCW #MeToo Brown Bag Lunch (BBL) 1st floor of the Meeting House |
Brown bag lunch to deepen the conversation, begin healing journey for some and gather insights and feedback from women members on what they want and need. | Lynda and Sudha | 1/7/18 3/18/18 4/15/18 5/20/18 |
| TUCW #MeToo Journaling for Healing |
Space Reserved for Monthly Journaling in the Youth Room of the Meeting House. After warm-up exercises, a pledge of confidentiality, writing begins followed by time to share the content or process with another. | Janet and Felicia et al | 2/11/18 3/18/18 4/15/18 5/20/18 |
| Walking On Eggshells | Two-part sexual harassment conversation based and reimagined OWL curricula sessions. | Cheryl Paul | 1/6/18 1/13/18 |
| Sacred Circles | Schedule an evening for safe sharing and conversation – perhaps do this with Saugatuck Congregational | Lynda et al | TBD |
| Recruit more OWL facilitators | Identify members interested and capable of taking training this summer to lead future OWL programs at Elementary, Middle School, High School, Youth and Young adult and Adult. | Sudha & Lynda | 5/13/18 Until 6 teams of facilitators identified |
ACTION III: Institutional Appraisal and Advocacy
| Title | Overview | Lead(s) | Date(s) |
| Proposal for #MeToo Networking Session at UUA GA 2018 | Proposal Submitted to GA Planning Committee for TUCW to host a Networking for UU Congregations to share what they are doing to respond to #MeToo Movement | Lynda & Rev. John | 6/22/2018 At GA in Kansas City |
| #MeToo A Faithful Response Resolution | DRAFT Resolution to BOT for vote to place on the Agenda for the Annual Meeting. Congregational input up through 5/20/2018 | Lynda, Sudha and Cheryl | 4/17/2018 VOTE on 6/10/2018 |
| Policy Reviews: Human Resources |
Review existing policy to make sure #MeToo issues directly addressed. Include provisions for educating staff and members on how to handle and establishing a grievance process. | HR Review TF to be formed for review | Fall 2018 |
| Covenant of Right Relationships Review | BOT to refer the covenant adopted at the 2017 Annual Meeting back to the Committee on Right Relations (or a newly formed CRR) for review with the #MeToo lens. Ensure that language about the right to say “no” and the boundaries of what is appropriate and what isn’t are included. | Rev. John and BOT to refer to CRR Committee Review | Summer 2018 |
| Safe Congregations Policies | A review TF to be charged with reviewing this policy and associated policies relating to children in LFD as well as Youth Group cover essentials recommended by the Religious Institute’s White Paper “Toward a Sexually Healthy and Responsible UUA” are covered, | Review TF TBD | Summer 2018 |
| Cultural competency training | Agreement on a vocabulary of justice and equality as well as addressing the vestiges of patriarchy that remain in our liturgy, organization, and music and literature. | TBD | TBD |