COME ONE, COME ALL, TO THE RETREAT IN THE FALL
Mittelwihr, France
OCTOBER 29-31, 2010
Register here!
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 key to the future for every single congregation and for Unitarian Universalism as a movement is whether we can ‘get religion.’ If we ‘get religion’ we will thrive. We will touch lives and change the world. If we don’t, we will decline.”
With these words, printed in the Spring 2010 UU World, Reverend Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), threw down the gauntlet to all UUs, challenging us to look to what we love and value –and not at what we “believe” – as a way to revitalize and grow our faith community.
We are delighted to host Rev. Morales at the Fall Retreat, where he will expand on the ideas articulated in the UU World article in his theme speech, “Building a Religion Beyond Belief.” His talk will explore religion not as a set of beliefs but as common values of compassion, community, freedom, justice and stewardship. In short: We are united not by what we think but by what we love.
Rev. Morales brought this message to his home ministry – Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, Colorado – one the UUA’s largest and fastest growing congregations. He is now one year into a four-year term as UUA President and is at the helm as the UUA faces new challenges in growth and multiculturalism. Public witness is central to Rev. Morales’s presidency; he is especially passionate about immigration reform and environmental justice.
Before entering the ministry in 1999, Rev. Morales had a full career as a Fulbright lecturer in Spain, a newspaper editor and publisher in Oregon, a Knight International Press Fellow in Peru and a regional manager in California state government. From 2002 to 2004, he served as the UUA director of district services, and he was the first person to carry the anti-racism, anti-oppression, multiculturalism portfolio of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA).
Your hosts, the UU Fellowship of Paris, are thrilled to have the opportunity to listen and learn from this exciting, dynamic leader and minister. For background on our theme talk, please read Rev. Morales’s article, “The ‘It’ Church,” at http://www.uuworld.org/life/articles/158390.shtml.
Location
After many years, we are returning to the French Alsace region for the Fall 2010 retreat. We will be staying at the well-equipped Le Centre de Mittelwihr (near Colmar) on the eastern side of the Vosges Mountains, a region of vineyards flourishing in a microclimate. All rooms are double-occupancy, handicapped-accessible and en-suite. We will be the only guests at the conference center, providing an intimate atmosphere, but space is somewhat limited, so please register early.
Regional Activities
If you come early or stay late, the region has many attractions. Alsace is known for its wood framed houses, fantastic wine and regional specialties. Colmar is a charming, typically Alsatian city, while neighboring Riquewihr is a walled, well-preserved picturesque medieval market town. Mittelwihr is set along the Route des Vins d’Alsace (Alsace Wine Route), and a Saturday wine tasting workshop is planned! There is also a signposted walk through the vineyards.
UUFP has organized a special guided tour of the Albert Schweitzer home and museum on Sunday afternoon. Look for early sign-up on the registration site. (Please note that meals, lodging and activities before dinner on Friday and after lunch on Sunday are pay-as-you-go and are not included in the retreat price.)
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 Le 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.
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.
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.
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 is now open!
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.
Send questions or comments to: RetreatCommittee@europeanuu.eu
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