Retreats » Spring 2007 Retreat
European Unitarian Universalist Spring Retreat 2007
Berlin, April 13-15, 2007
A search for Unitarian Universalism
in the 21st Century
Rev. Mark Belletini, senior minister First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus, Ohio
When asked whether he believed in God or not, a famous pianist answered at once, "Oh no, I believe in something greater than that." The Unitarian Universalist heritage is rich in that kind of faith, even if our beliefs are few and our numbers small. Our living tradition has always been a quest for something greater, or deeper, or more essential perhaps than received traditions. Emerson wanted immediacy, not rote. Susan B. Anthony wanted power for all, not traditional gender stratification. And the Socinians in Poland wanted a theology that made sense to them, not something plopped into their lap by authority. Whether interpreting the ancient scriptures with fresh eyes, or training skeptical questions on even the most comforting of religious assertions, ours is a tradition not of little faith, but of great faith, the faith that casts off for fresh shores.
I hope to help us all search for ways to find the unity in our diversity, the common threads in our tapestry, the grounding of our faithfulness as Unitarian Universalists in the postmodern, 21st century world.
Rev. Dr. Mark Belletini is in his 28th year as a Unitarian Universalist parish minister. He served in San Francisco, Hayward CA, and has been senior minister in Columbus for the last 8 years. He chaired the Hymnbook Commission that produced Singing the Living Tradition. He is vice chair of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, which is the credentialing body for Unitarian Universalist ministers. He has many godchildren, some now grown, who are significant to his heart, and a wonderful family of good friends in the Americas and Europe who ground his spirit. He paints, cooks his heritage Emilian food and writes poetry and enjoys urban walks late at night. He has presented at EUU gatherings three times in the past, and enjoys his relationship with this remarkable and vital community.
|
|
For the first time, EUU’s spring retreat will take place in Berlin. The site is in the southeastern outskirts of Berlin at the Akademie Schmöckwitz:
http://www.akademie-schmoeckwitz.de
Wernsdorfer Straße 43, 12527 Berlin-Schmöckwitz
Tel. +49 30 675030, Fax +49 30 6758026
The site is elegant and will be able to accommodate people who want to come early or stay longer. Early registration will be a must. There are several inexpensive airlines serving airports near the site. Check Google “cheap flights Europe” to find a carrier from your city to Berlin. Shönefeld is the closest airport, after that Tempelhof and farthest is Tegel.