by Cappy Schupp
On Tuesday, January 21st, 2025, representatives, active members, supporters and officers joined together online for the beginning of the year Coordinating Council (CC) meeting. The next CC Meetings are Tuesday April 1st at 19:00, after that June 17th and Sept. 16th and we welcome any and all interested parties to come join us in the next meetings. Requests for CC meeting links can be sent to secretary@europeanuu.org – or ask your CC Representative!
We joined together for a brief social time as the new president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary welcomed gatherers. The new president, Bonnie Friedmann, set the tone for our community, “working together side by side to create our space.” One big thing on many people’s minds was the state of the political landscape that has been bubbling up concerns in many places the world over. Along with some personal joys and concerns that were shared. We began our business meeting informed by the reports in the pre-meeting notes shared by everyone before the meeting – these notes are a vital way your representatives make sure your leadership hears your voices. All members can request access to view these notes before and after meetings by writing to your officers (officers@europeanuu.org).
Retreat business: Karen Kyker on behalf of the Retreat Committee has posted final prices for the spring retreat in Saarbrucken April 11–13 in the pre-meeting notes. Looking for volunteers at the spring retreat to plan for a Seder on that Saturday. Please contact Karen! For this retreat, we will be looking forward to accommodating all with food, accessibility, and rooms. See the article here for more information and for registration information. FYI – financial grants are available for the retreat! Great news – there will indeed be a fall retreat this coming fall in Cologne. Save the Date – Sep 12–14.
Outside support systems for EUU: Diane Rollert attended the CC meeting and we discussed her role and the role of an Ambassador from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to the EUU community. Fellowships can request visits from the ambassador by telling Bonnie they want to invite her.
Also at the CC meeting was Esther Wanjiru Mukera, recently appointed by the Leadership & Design Team of the International U/U Collaboration project to serve as U/U Global Network Facilitator. This is a newly created a position to build online and physical gatherings around the world.
Unitarian College in the UK has met with Bonnie, current president of EUU, to discuss how their college can support EUU.
The Reports, Committees, and Projects topic of discussion was mostly covered in the pre-meeting notes of the agenda. Importantly noted by Bonnie, we are in need of a Religious Exploration (R.E.) coordinator at the EUU level.
Celebrating our community members: We are asking the coordinating council representatives to put forward names to honor persons for appreciation awards. Please email Bonnie after talking with your fellowships and reading this list of current award categories: Appreciation Awards for past years
Finally these closing words were offered from Bonnie: “As the year unfolds, may we find in the bonds of our community all the strength we need for whatever comes our way.”
The next CC Meetings are – Tuesday April 1st at 19:00, and after that June 17th and Sept. 16th. CC meetings are open to all EUU members.