Retreats » Spring 2010 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
Our speaker will be Rev. Wymann Rousseau, a familiar EUU retreat speaker and, since last year, retired after forty years of active UU ministry in Minnesota, Massachusetts, Florida, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. In 1958, at the time of his graduation from New Canaan High School in Connecticut, Rousseau refused to attend the Baccalaureate service, leading his English teacher to predict accurately that this thoughtful student would likely succeed as a liberal minister.
Rev. Rousseau is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. He trained for the Unitarian Universalist ministry at the Meadville/Lombard Theological School and the Divinity School at the University of Chicago.
He was the co-founder and first President of Hospice and Palliative Care in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1994, the Rev. Wyman Rousseau was honored by the Piedmont, N. C., Unitarian Universalist church in celebration of his twenty-five years of service to the denomination.
One of his passions is poetry, poetry that moves us, that makes us laugh or cry and in particular, haiku. For six years he served as secretary to the Haiku Society of America, known for his having created a "Haiku Mindfulness" workshop. He is married to Maia Williams, a real estate strategist and marketing consultant, and they have three children. He likes the accessible more than the impenetrable, and feels that while poetry is wonderful for private consumption, it can also bring us together in community. He will share some of his favorite poets, and help us find new ways to enjoy poetry.
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.
Birthday Party
At this retreat, EUU will be celebrating its 30th birthday anniversary. A party, birthday cake, and all sorts of events and exhibitions are being planned to help us remember and honour our special organization. Donna Henson-Boyers, Gevene Hertz, Martha Hicks, Tina Huesing and Vicki Roberts-Gassler have some birthday surprises in store for everyone.
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 9th of April through lunch on Sunday the 11th.
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.
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. 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. EUU's wonderful, spirited, and talented choir is looking for some young, strong voices, as well as instrumentalists willing to play either as a soloist or in an ensemble for the Sunday service. If you want to join us, please let Marcie know. Marcie McGaugheyAnd 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. Please do not hesitate to apply for a grant if necessary. To apply, please write to EUU Treasurer Peter Jarrett at Treasurer@europeanuu.eu explaining why you need it. The information you provide is confidential. On the other hand, please try to contribute to the grant fund if you can.
Book Exchange
At every retreat, there is a used English 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. A small cash contribution is made for each book taken, and the money is donated to one of EUU’s social action causes.
Prices
The prices for this retreat are lower than for recent retreats, especially for families.
- Actual costs will be determined prior to opening registration.
Registration
Go to website Registration for online registration. The prices for this retreat are lower than for recent retreats, especially for families. The deadline for registration is March 19; after that date a 10 euro late fee will apply for adults registering. A 10 euro discount from the listed prices will be applied to EUU adult and young adult members.
Send questions or comments to: RetreatCommittee@europeanuu.eu .eu