Spring Retreat 2026 How It Was
Nestled in the peaceful, wooded grounds of Pilgrim Park in Princeton, Illinois, the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Connection (UUWC) Spring Retreat offered a beautiful sanctuary for connection, creativity, and spiritual renewal. Over the course of four days, attendees stepped away from the hustle of daily life to embrace a balanced rhythm of meaningful workshops, communal rituals, and restorative "Time for You."
The retreat kicked off on Thursday evening, welcoming attendees as they checked into the Center. After a nourishing dinner, the community gathered in the Chapel for a Welcome Gathering, setting a collaborative and grounded tone for the days. This theme of interconnectedness carried over into the crafts area, where a large communal table hosted a giant "Pencils" jigsaw puzzle. (Take a look at the photos for more of the story!)
Impressions from the Spring 2026 Retreat
MAY 28 - 31, 2026
Keynote Speech: Weaving Resistance, Emily Mace, Intern Minister at Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL
Emily started her presentation by passing out strands of yarn. She called them “Charms of Hope.” As you tied the string around your finger, consider that we are not alone. She said “think of it as our best shared future how it is braided with our present and our destiny.” The tied string can be for hope or for whatever support you need. As we untied the strand we were “letting go of our burdens and bleakness.” Letting them fall away.
She told the story of her friend Tracy Wright, who started a Knitters group in Portland, Oregon, “Knitters Against Fascism.” I learned a new term “Craftivists” – Crafters who are Activists. Tracy invited knitters to come to the ICE detention center in Portland to show the world that Portland was not in flames! Tracy said, “Bring your camp chair and coffee and come and stitch.” First there were 5 stitchers, then 10 and then it made NPR. They were “Weapons of Mass Construction." Emily said her friend was part of a much bigger tapestry. A garment of destiny. Emily quoted Dr. Martin Luther King – “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”
2026 Tea n Talks
Saturdays at 2:00 pm Central time
June 20 -- Tori J will facilitate
September 19 -- Diana D and Dana L
October 31 -- Gretchen O
If you would like the Zoom link, email
Summer 2026 Retreat
Join us for a weekend or just for Saturday! We'll gather at the enchanting Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center in Watervliet, Michigan, August 14-16. The modern Cherry Wood Lodge is bright, airy, and accessible too.
2026 is our 10th year of reviving a long-time summer tradition. Walks through the woods, conversations in the yard, communal meal prep in the kitchen, maybe a field trip to our favorite nearby esoteric shop, a swim in the lake... and even a couple of workshops.
Registration will open mid-June.
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