Retreats » Fall 2006 Retreat
Come join us for a thought-provoking and enjoyable weekend with activities for all age groups,
including a full religious education program for children and teenagers.
Our Speaker
Gordon Oliver, President of ICUU, the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists and minister of the Unitarian congregation of Cape Town, is coming from South Africa to talk to us about forgiveness and reconciliation from both a social justice and a personal perspective. Gordon himself was actively involved in Cape Town local politics fighting apartheid starting at the age of 19. On the day that Nelson Mandela was released from prison, he went to the Cape Town City Hall to address the nation. Gordon was the mayor of Cape Town at that time and had the privilege of welcoming him.
Gordon Oliver has been the minister of the Cape Town Unitarian Church since 2002. After joining the church in 1989, he became a member of the church council and then their minister-in-training. He received his theological training at Unitarian Theological College, Manchester, UK and was minister-in-residence at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, in the spring of 2002. He was the Executive Director, Parliament of the World’s Religions (South Africa) 1998-99. He organized the first South African National Gathering of Unitarians in Sept. 2001. He is currently serving his second term as ICUU president. (EUU is a founding member of ICUU.) Before becoming a minister, Gordon was a Cape Town City Councilor for 15 years. He was elected Deputy Mayor of Cape Town in 1987, and in 1989 became Mayor of the City. Gordon is married and has four children and 3 grandchildren.
What Happens at a Retreat?
EUU retreats offer something for people of all ages. People begin arriving in the late afternoon on Friday, but the first event is dinner that evening. After this, an evening activity helps everyone get to know each other.
The theme talk takes place on Saturday morning. After lunch you have a choice of various workshops, tours and other activities. Saturday evening entertainment includes presentations by the children and some entertainment for all ages.
On Sunday morning, there is a worship service. The retreat ends in the early afternoon, after the noon meal. Each day starts and ends with a brief opening or closing service. Conversation and music continues each night until the early morning for those who are interested! The entire weekend is filled with activities but also opportunities to relax, meet fellow Unitarians from all over Europe, and generally have a good time. EUU retreats have been described as family reunions where newcomers feel at home right from the beginning.
The Site – Jugendgästehaus (Youth Guest House or Youth Hostel)
This modern guest house is beautifully situated on a mountain overlooking the river, next to a restored castle. The Guest House is equipped with an indoor swimming pool. We will reserve times to use it on Friday and Saturday. People will need to bring their own swimming towels as the ones in the rooms are small.
Ping-pong tables are in the game room, so bring your paddles and balls if you don’t want to rent them. We have requested the 200-seat, wood-paneled conference room, complete with a beautiful wall hanging and grand piano. All meals are included from dinner on Friday the 27th of October to lunch on Sunday the 29th.
Transportation
Oberwesel is easy to reach by car (try MapQuest or Map24 for driving instructions from your location to the Gasthaus site, Jugendgästehaus Oberwesel/Rhein, Auf dem Schönberg, 55430 Oberwesel, Germany) as well as by train (www.bahn.de) from Frankfurt or Frankfurt airport. The Frankfurt-Hahn airport (for Ryanair) is very close to Oberwesel. Please indicate on your registration form what your travel plans are and whether you need to be picked up at the train station. Maps and instructions for driving to Oberwesel will be sent with your confirmation.
The Location
The picturesque Rhine Gorge, between Bingen and Koblenz, has castles on rocky crags and vineyards climbing up the steep slopes. Lovely villages dot the river banks. Not far from Oberwesel, the river twists around the high, echo-producing Lorelei Rock. Legend tells that a maiden threw herself into the Rhine in despair over a faithless lover. She was transformed into a siren (the Lorelei) whose seductive song lured fishermen to a watery grave.
For an interesting excursion, visit the Hildegard Museum in Bingen. Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th century abbess and mystic. Her writings include accounts of her visions, lives of saints; two treatises on medicine and natural history that reflect a quality of scientific observation rare at that period, and extensive correspondence that contains prophecies and allegorical treatises. She also composed music and poems, and – for amusement – contrived her own language.
Workshops
Saturday afternoon activities revolve around workshops led by volunteers attending the retreat. Some of the workshops will be appropriate for mixed age groups. We encourage you to offer a 1 to 1.5 hour workshop too. Send us your proposals on your registration form and we will contact you in advance to confirm. A guided walk in English around Oberwesel, which will include the Liebfrau church and its famous towers is planned in this time slot and since Oberwesel is known for its delicious wines, a guided walk along the "wine-learning path" may be offered.
Religious Education for Young People
In our RE programs, we teach about our Unitarian Universalist heritage in all its diversity. Our programs focus on the religions of the world, our Jewish and Christian heritage, our UU heritage and principles, and the ins and outs of ethical living. We do not impose these teachings as doctrines. Instead we try to help each child construct his or her own system of belief. Our RE program is very popular with families who have attended previous retreats, and new children are always made to feel welcome. We usually have RE classes for several age groups, including a popular group for teenagers. Young people also join the intergenerational activities, and they may use the pool at the center under the supervision of their parents. Babysitting for children younger than 3 will be provided if you let us know in advance that you need it.
Music and Dance
Enjoy a variety of musical opportunities, both listening and participation, (please bring an instrument if you play one!) over the course of the weekend. Marcie McGaughey will be leading a choir workshop for singing enthusiasts to prepare for the Sunday service. And no doubt, in the evenings after the official program, there will be an opportunity to listen to, sing along with and dance to the tunes of EUU’s multitalented musicians.
EUU Retreat Grants
EUU members and other people attending retreats have generously contributed to a retreat grant fund that allows us to pay partial or full retreat fees for a limited number of attendees. To apply for a grant, please write to EUU treasurer Peter Jarrett explaining why you need it. The information you provide is confidential.
And please try to contribute to the grant fund if you can.
Book Exchange
At every retreat, there is a used book exchange where everyone can bring books that are just taking up space on their shelves. These are placed on a browsing table near the main events. Donations to a worthy cause may be made if you would like to take books but have not brought any.
Prices
The prices for this retreat are lower than for recent retreats, especially for families.
- 165 euros for adults over 25.
- 100 euros for registrants ages 20 to 25
- 65 euros for teens (ages 13-19)
- 50 euros for children (ages 2-12)
- 20 euro surcharge for single rooms (only a few available for special needs).
- 10 euro discount per adult EUU member
Questions: Tom and Jeanette Wild-Sievers
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Registration
Registration deadline is September 30.
A € 10 late fee will apply for adults who register after this date.