by Barbara L. Barnes
Community spirit and necessity has spawned a unique bond between Heritage women known simply as “the HUUC Sisterhood.” All HUUC congregants who identify as a woman are members of this rather informal group that holds no official meetings and requires no dues, just the promise to convene with and help one another.
Decades ago, official Heritage women’s groups gathered for various purposes, some with targeted activities such as a toddler’s playgroup, or book club, other groups with wider purposes of community goals such as the Clara Baron Guild. While addressing their stated purpose, an underlying need was to interact and support each other.
Time and our changing society required alterations to many of these groups – some groups adapted, others faded from our lives. However, the basic needs remained. The women enjoyed being with other women of similar spirits and often relied on the wisdom exchanged to meet some need in their lives. The conversations at any Babes with Books or Healthy Lifestyles meeting, or the annual HUUC Women’s Retreat is often peppered with requests for advice, recommendations, or a request to borrow something.
To meet this need, the HUUC sisterhood google group was formed. Following admission to this group, HUUC sisters can email all of the other sisters with requests for advice or a small helping hand. Large issues are still left to our highly capable Caring Circle to address. (For more information on the Caring Circle, access the Heirloom article on that group available at https://huuc.net/services-of-the-huuc-caring-circle/ .)
Sisterhood emails center on immediate needs and advice such as “Do you know a good plumber?”, “Can someone help me with a ride for my kid to a game this Saturday?”, or “Can I borrow a large serving platter for an upcoming event?” Often recommendations, answers, and offers are forthcoming within hours. The offerings are more trustworthy and timely than anything possible from commercial services such as what was known as “Angie’s List.” Just read some of the testimonials below from several delighted HUUC congregants.
“I’m glad to have the sisterhood e-mails available for recommendations for services. But, the most fun I had with the sisterhood was getting a group together to see the Barbie Movie.” – Rebecca Pace
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“Forrest and I returned from London and two days later we impulsively went to the Purrfect Day Cat Cafe, determined to adopt a kitty. This was after reading Jaime Castle’s story in the HEIRLOOM about this amazing place in Covington. It had been almost three years since we had lost our beloved “Oscar.” We visited with lots of cats, but eventually fell for “Lily,” a two-year-old female orange tabby, and drove home, realizing we had given away all our “cat stuff!” I immediately sent out an email message to the Sisterhood, asking for any cat paraphernalia not being used, and within 24 hours, we had everything we needed to make our new family member Lily welcome and comfortable! Three cheers for the Sisterhood!” – Kathy Wade
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“As someone whose life ebbs and flows and is sometimes a tsunami where I can’t make it to church, being part of the sisterhood group helps me feel better connected in these times.” – Laura Knight.
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“Over the years of faithfully reading the sisterhood requests, I have felt very good responding to those I could help….with something to borrow, care for, driving needs, or pet-sitting, etc. I have a designated Gmail folder of recommendations I save from the HUUC sisterhood that I refer to time and time again!!! It’s a great connection.” – Ellie Lamb
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“Over the years I have utilized the sisterhood to obtain recommendations for repairmen, painters, cleaners, etc. The information is invaluable! It’s our own Angie’s list. And I love how we can up-cycle items, a way to practice environmental justice.” – Sue Rahall
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“A few years ago, I had serious heart surgery, after which I had a “near death” episode. After 24 days in the hospital, my doctors said I could only go home if I had 24-hour care for 14 days. That is when I turned to the HUUC ‘sisters‘ for support. A schedule of helpful women was created for four to six-hour shifts. The first time slot was at 6:30 a.m. and the last one ended at 6:30 p.m. That confirmed my sense that these women were not just helpers, they truly were cherished family.” – Chris Burroughs
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Sisterhood emails don’t take the place of personal contact obtained at live meetings of the various forms of the Sisterhood in other gatherings, such as the Annual HUUC Women’s Retreat, the Monthly Heritage Book Club sessions, or weekly Healthy Lifestyles gatherings. However, this email forum can answer some immediate needs with trustworthy advice.
To join the Sisterhood Google group, contact Martha in the office at:
to be placed in the group’s membership access.
Image sources: https://tinyurl.com/2yms9wd5 , Kathy Wade, and https://tinyurl.com/2tvxujfc