COME ONE, COME ALL, TO THE RETREAT IN THE FALL
Mittelwihr, France
OCTOBER 29-31, 2010 EUU continues its 30th-anniversary-year celebrations at the Fall Retreat in the beautiful Alsace region. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Paris warmly invites one and all to a very special retreat with a distinguished speaker, exciting activities and a full retreat program. 
Our Speaker
The Rev. Peter Morales, President of the UUA, leads our retreat as our theme speaker and honored guest. Rev. Morales will be at the helm as the UUA faces new challenges in growth and multiculturalism. Public witness is central to Morales’s presidency. As many of us are immigrants and most of us multicultural, we welcome Rev. Morales, who is passionate about immigration issues and multiculturalism. Prior to his election, Morales served as the senior minister at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Colorado, one the UUA’s largest and fastest growing congregations. Rev. Morales’ retreat theme, "Building a Religion Beyond Belief," will explore religion not as a set of beliefs but as what we love. In his presentation, we will learn about the role of religious community and the need to adapt to a variety of contexts. We are very excited about welcoming this dynamic speaker and caring humanist. Location After many years, we are returning to the French Alsace region for the Fall 2010 Retreat. We will be staying near Colmar at an upscale youth hostel La Centre de Mittelwihr on the eastern side of the Vosges Mountains, a region of vineyards flourishing in a microclimate. We will be the only guests at the Center, which is nice, but space is somewhat limited, so please register early.  Regional Activities If you can come early or stay late, the region has many attractions. Alsace is known for its typical wood framed houses, large black hats and regional specialties. Colmar is a charming, typically Alsatian city featuring the Unterlinden Museum. The museum is housed on the site of the former Dominican convent of Unterlinden (“under the linden trees”). The galleries displaying the museum’s collections of art from the 15th to the 18th centuries are arrayed around the former convent’s well-preserved 13th-century cloister. The museum’s most celebrated work, the Isenheim Altarpiece, has pride of place in the convent chapel. Riquewihr is a walled, well-preserved picturesque medieval market town. Mittelwihr is set along the Route des Vins d’Alsace Alsatian Wine Route and a Saturday wine tasting workshop is planned! There is also a 14 km walk through the vineyards.  In the footsteps of Albert Schweitzer: Nearby (7 km from Mittelwihr) Kaysersberg is Schweitzer’s birthplace and museum. Schweitzer’s former home and African museum is in Gunsbach (19km). UUFP has organized an optional special guided tour of Gunsbach on Sunday afternoon. Look for early sign-up on the registration site. Also, the Albert Schweitzer footpath along the banks of the Flecht river is a 55-minute walk with panels retracing the life and thoughts of Schweitzer. Strassbourg is not only full of Alsatian charm, but headquarters of the Council of Europe and the Human Rights building. Here you can see the famous Renaissance Astronomical Clock, and the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral Transportation
Mittelwihr is easy to reach by car. Check the web for directions to La Centre de Mittelwihr, 16 rue du Bouxhof, 68630 Mittelwihr, France. From Strasbourg, use the Route National 83, exit at Ostheim and take the direction Beblenhiem and Riquewihr. From Mulhouse take the A35 and exit at Bennwihr and Kaysersberg. The closest train station is Colmar. Shuttles from the station to the retreat site will be organized. If you are planning on coming by train, the sooner you make your train reservation the better the price of your ticket. You can book your ticket starting on July 29th, 2010. Book early and save money! The closest airports are Mulhouse-Basel-Freiburg (MLH) or Strasbourg-Entzheim (SXB). For more information contact the Retreat Committee. 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. Young people also join the intergenerational activities. Care for children three and under will be provided; please let us know in advance. Music, Dance and Halloween
Enjoy a variety of musical opportunities, both listening and participation, over the weekend. Marcie McGaughey leads our Sunday service choir. If you want to join either to play an instrument or sing, write Marcie. In the evenings after the official program, there will be an opportunity to perform, listen to, sing along with and dance to the tunes of EUU’s multi-talented singers and musicians. Catherine Julian has offered to teach us some Alsatian folk dances.  Our retreat falls on Hallow’een so you can expect some special ‘encounters of the spooky kind’ and some UU heroes and heroines in disguise. In addition to the Unitarian tradition of Trick or Treating for Unicef, you can expect some old fashioned trick or treating and other traditional Hallow’een activities. Dress up like your favorite UU hero or heroine. In honor of our UU heritage and dressing-up for Hallow’een, we are having a UU hero and heroine dress up party. Start working on your costume now! This is an intergenerational activity. EUU Retreat Grants
EUU participants have generously contributed to a retreat grant fund that allows us to pay partial or full retreat fees for a limited number of attendees. If you need a grant, write to EUU treasurer Peter Jarrett at Treasurer@europeanuu.eu The information you provide is confidential. Special Sunday Afternoon Our retreats usually end on Sunday after the noon meal. However, at the Fall 2010 Retreat there will be optional activities planned for Sunday afternoon, as November 1st is a holiday for many of us (see Regional Activities). English Book Exchange and Social Action Projects
At every retreat, there is a used English book exchange where everyone can bring books. These are placed on a browsing table near the main events. A small cash contribution is made for each book taken, and the money is donated to one of EUU’s social action causes. Prices Inspirational talks, workshops, learning, spiritual and social renewal, activities, lodging, meals and fun are included in the prices below: Adult, double occupancy: €195 (€10 discount to EUU members) Adult, single occupancy: €240 (€10 discount to EUU members) Adult, non-resident: €155 Young Adult: €150 Teen: €70 Child: €40 Under 3: No charge Registration
Click here on the Registration link to sign up for this retreat. Registration will open September 1. 2010. Registration after October 3 will be considered Late Registration and a €15 surcharge will be charged. Registration closes completely on October 14. Applications to attend the EUU 2010 Fall Retreat received after October 14 cannot be guaranteed to be accepted. EUU adult and young adult members will receive a €10 discount. Send questions or comments to: RetreatCommittee@europeanuu.eu |
