EUU Workshop Schedule for Saturday Afternoon, Oct 29, 2022

COMBINED SESSIONS 1 and  2: 2–5:30 pm  Excursion to Albert Schweitzer Center and Home

A Pilgrimage to Rediscover and Honor Albert Schweitzer’s Engagement for Peace
John Eichrodt

Discovering and honoring Albert Schweitzer, his theological quest and life-long action for peace. This will include a session at the new Schweitzer Seminar Center in Gunsbach, and a visit of his home with an excellent guide.  Complete description here

SESSION 1: 2–3:30 pm

Should Internet content be publicly funded?  Should the EUU support any initiative to that end?
Derek Suchard

Given how the Internet has evolved and, in many cases, has increased social polarization, an initiative has been launched to support providing alternative funding and support for Internet content, along the lines of public broadcasting (PBS, BBC, Dutch public television, etc.). The aim is to both ensure that underrepresented voices are heard and to rein in polarizing content. In this workshop we will be exploring the initiative, looking at the pros and cons (if any) and seeing if we can reach a consensus about whether the EUU should actively support it.

Exploration and discussion of Just War Theory; Our UU 6th Principle in light of recent intergalactic discoveries
Sara Zimmerman

In part 1, participants will read quotes from Gandhi, Menno Simons, Erasmus, Grebel, John Haynes Holmes, Quakers and discuss what “peace” means in the context of UUism.  In part 2,  participants will review recent intergalactic discoveries and discuss whether or not to recommend a modification of our 6th Principle to replace the word “world” with “intergalactic.”

Council: fostering recognition of a shared humanity and interconnectedness through sharing and listening from the heart.
Stephanie Couitt

Council is an ancient practice that has been developed in many cultures and has been used for generations to gather human beings to bear witness and share authentically. It supports a deep sense of community and fosters recognition of a shared humanity and interconnectedness. Participants agree to speak one-at-a-time, sharing their personal stories and experiences, rather than opinions, and listening non-judgmentally while others do the same. Sharing and listening to universal stories about love, loss, fear, triumph, challenge, hope and other experiences enables participants to recognize that, despite our many differences, we have much in common.

Slow flow Yoga
Caroline Von Westernhagen

We will have an hour to practice some Yoga to feel relaxed and more tuned to your body. This class is for everybody. It is a gentle slow flow yoga class intended to bring you relaxation and calm your mind by focusing on the breath and connecting breath and movement. Breathe, focus, and remember to be patient with yourself. Please bring a mat and a comfortable outfit. Looking forward to seeing you on the mat.

SESSION 2: 4–5:30 pm

Feeling unconnected and lonely and how to deal with such moments or times of life. (maximum 10 people)
Elke Brandes

I hope we can form a circle of participants who are able to share these feelings… who are able to listen and speak sympathetically.  What do such moments mean or what have they meant to each of us? What are the reasons for us to feel foreign? What can help to cope with our feelings?

Qi Gong for Women
Claire Harrison

A Qi Gong method created by a gynecologist in China with both preventive and curative effects. A series of hormone balancing auto-massage and gentle movements to maintain mobility in the spine. 

Self empowerment through sounds and movement
Blanca Maria Muller Lagunez 

Let yourself be surprised by the sound of your own voice and the power of your own movement. We shall be exploring both…and more. This workshop supports self-determination, inner calmness and clarity. 

Blanca Maria, Mexican born and based in Switzerland, is a bridge between science, art and spirituality. She has a radio program on politics, philosophy, art and culture, and is a Board member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Presently she is an Ambassador of the International Breathwork Foundation (IBF) and co-leads its Breathing Arts Group. She has been with UUBasel since 2017.

“REMEMBER GRATITUDE IS THE ATTITUDE AND RESPECT THE BASIS OF WORLD PEACE.”

Who Are You to Think That You Can Change the World?
Wolfgang Jantz

In this workshop Wolfgang will share with participants his own engagement and experience in putting faith into action during his lifetime, in particular with the ICUU, the IARF, and Partnership with Unitarian Congregations in Transylvania.

It should provide an opportunity to examine the major question posed in this workshop, the history of our faith in action, our own experiences, current dilemmas and responses. In other words, it will give participants a precious opportunity to remember where we come from, what has mattered, who we are becoming as a UU faith, and especially to explore how our UU faith communities can or should engage our future.

Wolfgang has been an active Unitarian at the European and International Levels for decades and can thus bring a major part of our Unitarian history to life.