UUFSMA: “Gender Equity and Reconciliation”

UU Service-Marcia Wolff and Victor Bremson

“Gender Equity and Reconciliation”

10:30 a.m., Sunday, October 14

La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio #15

In a most timely talk, Marcia Wolff and Dr. Victor Bremson discuss the underlying issues that feed gender inequality at this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Service.

There is little doubt that the #Me Too movement is one of the most effective social justice movements in the history of the United States. Powerful men in the entertainment, political, and corporate arenas have been brought down by women coming forward to bear witness to the pain they often held secretly for a lifetime. Women are expressing bold comments about male sexual behavior and harassment in the workplace, which usually went unnoticed.

Men and women of different generations are examining their responses. Is there a difference between a Harvey Weinstein or an Al Franken? And what about less prominent men and women? How can we deal with these abuses of power?

While directing the Domestic Violence Program as an employee of the Santa Fe, New Mexico District Attorney’s office, Marcia often asked herself “what happened to us men and women?” In her private practice, she sought the underlying issues with couples that struggled with challenged communications and those in the domestic violence program whose conflict often turned physical. The need to control and dominate another seemed to be a common thread. But, where did that come from, and why was it playing out in the microcosm of relationships?

She’d never really thought of the concept of patriarchal values until she entered a yearlong training with thirty men and women in “Gender Equity and Reconciliation.” Every issue from pornography to breast implants was explored experientially as they learned about their conditioning as men and women. What happened to that group and what can be done to initiate a shift is the focus of her talk with Dr. Bremson.

Marcia Wolff earned a master’s in counseling psychology at Southwestern College. She has written articles in Atención and will be published monthly in the women’s magazine, Sybil, beginning January 2019. Her published book of poems titled Frictions Becoming Pearl: a Slow Awakening and her novel, The Rarest of Gems, both focus on evolution. A resident of San Miguel, Marcia has a small private practice working with individuals and couples.

Victor Bremson earned a Doctor of Ministry at Wisdom University. Prior to his graduate education, he was a corporate turn-around consultant helping save businesses in financial trouble. He regularly teaches classes on the history of non-violent action.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 and welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. For information about our Children’s Sunday Program, contact us at chris.chase1955@gmail.com. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs for hospitality and discussion afterwards. Wheelchair accessible. For additional information, visit our web site at uufsma.org.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

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