Monthly Gatherings
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Our community comes together monthly to celebrate life's blessings, share our joys and concerns, and engage in the search of truth and revelation. Children and youth are an integral part of our community. (Need nursery services?)
We usually meet on the 3rd Sunday of the month, from 17:30- 19:00, September - June at the Quaker House. Gatherings last 1 hour (see our standard Order of Service) and we join together for potluck social time afterwards. When you come, you can expect to enrich and challenge your spiritual outlook. You can also expect the following elements:
Some months, a lay member of our congregation will provide a short sermon on a topic of universal spiritual relevance, such as gratitude, celebration of life's end, building of a beloved community. Other months, we have guest ministers from other progressive faith traditions, including Buddism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and we engage in these rituals and study the universal truths in these faiths. Other times still, we part-take in earth-inspired rituals such as blessing of waters from around the world. Spirituality Through Music
Many of us are musicians and singers, and we pick the songs we like to perform at gatherings. Our band and choir is always open to new-comers!
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Recent Past Gatherings
Sun., February 10, 2019, Rev. Diane Rollert Sun.,January 20, 2019, Rev. Lara Fuchs, Roots and Wings: Eco-Spirituality Sun., December 16, 2019, Mitten Tree &Universal Declaration of Human Rights Sat., December 1, 2018, UU Escalade walk Fri., November24, 2018, 6:30PM, Thanksgiving celebration at Scott',) Vaud Sun., November 18, 2018, 5:30pm, Non-violent Communication Sun., October 14, 2018, 5:30pm, The Gift of Listening24 November 2018, 6:30PM (Friday - Thanksgiving celebration at Scott's) Mies, Vaud Sun., September 16, 2018, 5:30pm, Water Ceremony Sun., June 17, 2018, 1pm, summer BBQ,Rev.Alan Taylor, Beloved Community Sun., May 13, 2018, 5:30pm, Trisha Riedy, Healing and Well-being Sun., April 22, 2018, 5:30pm, Trisha Riedy, Mindfulness Sun., March 11, 2018, 5:30pm, Rev. Diane Rollert, Don't Take Care, Take Risk Sun., February 25, 2018, 5:30pm, Carla Drysdale, Rumi & Poetry for the Soul. Sun., January 21, 2018, 5:30pm, Swiss Refugees Cuisinelab.ch, Dan Stein. Sun., December 17, 2017, 5:30pm, Rev. Lara Fuchs Sun., November 19, 2017,5:30pm, Dr. Jean Tesche, Bosnia-Herzegovina Sun., October 15, 2017, 5:30pm, Atonement, UUG lay members Sun., September 17, 2017, 5:30 pm, UU Water Ceremony, UUG Sun., June 18, 2017, 5:30 pm, Being Home, Rev. Paul Rasor Sun., May 21, 2017, 5:30pm, Goodbyes, Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed Sun., April 9, 2017, 5:30 pm (2nd Sunday), Spiritual Courage, Rev. Eric Cherry Sun., March 19, 2017, 5:30 pm, Masculinity, Aernout Zevenbergen Sun., February 26, 2017, 5:30 pm (4th Sunday), Home, Rowan Matley Sun., January 15, 2017, 5:30 pm, Tao Talk, Trisha Riedy Sun., December 18, 2016, 5:30 pm, Yuletide & Caroling with the Quakers, UUG Sun., November 20, 2016, 5:30 pm, Thankfulness Sun., October 16, 2016, 5:30pm, Mindfulness, Bianca King Sun., September 18, 2016, 5:30 pm, UU Water Ceremony, UUG ... etc .. (see archives for previous meetings). F.Y.I. UUG has been an association suisse with bylaws since 2010 and meeting in the Quaker House since about 2003, previously at YWCA since at least 1996. We have records of UUs meeting monthly since at least the 1980's. Unitarian Universalists and Unitarians have been active and meeting in Geneva probably since after the First World War. Both the Unitarians and the Universalists were active in the League of Nations Association and later closely monitored the creation of the United Nations.The UN charter shares many similarities with our UU values. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ARCHIVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sun., 10 February 2019, 5:30pm,(2nd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House. Ave. du Mervelet 13 Who: UUA Ambassador to Europe, Rev. Diane Rollert from UU Montréal, Canada We are pleased to announce that Rev. Diane Rollert from Montreal, Canada will join us on Sunday, 10 February (please note this is the second Sunday to avoid conflicts with school holidays). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 20 January, 5:30 pm Where: The Quaker House. Ave. du Mervelet 13 Title: Roots and Wings: finding our story within Eco-Spirituality Guest Speaker: Rev. Lara Fuchs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 16 December, 5:30 pm Where: The Quaker House. Ave. du Mervelet 13 Title: Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- a beacon of hope? Guest Speaker: Erik Friberg This year we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We reflected on the progress made, as well as the challenges, to respect, protect and fulfil human rights at local level, at work, in schools, at home. Does the Universal Declaration merely outline noble ideals, or does it provide practical real-world solutions to some hard-earned lessons of humanity? http://www.standup4humanrights.org/en Mitten tree: Please join us in the tradition of creating a mitten tree with donations of new childrens' mittens, gloves, hats or scarves for Au Coeur des Grottes, the shelter for women and children that we support in Geneva. Youth Program: Offered for children 4-12 years old. Please let us know by Saturday evening (15 December) if you are bringing your (child)ren (julieathomp@hotmail.com). Social Hour: After the gathering we have an apéros potluck and beverages of choice, so please plan to join and bring something to share. THANKSGIVING FEAST! Scott and Nancy, Mies, Vaud, again generously welcomed us for a Thanksgiving Feast on Friday 23 November, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. onward. Turkey and stuffing provided and all other dishes (including many vegetarian ones) were contributed potluck-style. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 18 November, 2018, 5:30 pm Where: The Quaker House. Ave. du Mervelet 13 Title: "Non-violent Communication - Theory and Spirituality" Come learn more about nonviolent communication and how it can strengthen our ability to inspire compassion and to respond compassionately to others and to ourselves. The discussion will be led by our guest speaker, Senovio Shish. Youth Program: Offered for children 4-12 years old. Please let us know by Saturday evening (17 November) if you are bringing your (child)ren (julieathomp@hotmail.com). Social Hour: After the gathering we have an apéros potluck and beverages of choice, so please plan to join and bring something to share. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 14 October, 5:30 pm Where: The Quaker House. Ave. du Mervelet 13 Title: "The Gift of Listening" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When : Sunday, 16 September, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: "Water Ceremony" The Water Ceremony is a UU tradition at the beginning of the new church year (September). Members, guests and visitors bring a small amount of water from a place(s) that is special to them. During the service, people pour their water into a large bowl and tell why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. The Water Service is also excellent opportunity for Unitarian Universalists to express their commitment to the Sixth UU Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Catch some summer UU vibes! What: Picnic/BBQ and Monthly Gathering Who: Rev. Alan Taylor, UU visiting minister Topic: “Messy and Imperfect Beloved Community” Date: Sunday, 17 June 2018 Time: 1:00 - 5:00 pm (13h-17h) Where: Mies, Vaud Our UU Geneva community will gather for a June Picnic/BBQ/UU Service from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. this coming Sunday 17 June at the home of Scott Andersen and Nancy Hasley. The UU service will be led by visiting UU Minister Rev. Alan Taylor who is traveling in Europe on sabbatical from the Oak Park, Illinois, US, Unity Temple, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, whose building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. (FYI... Wright was born into a Unitarian famlly and identified as a Universalist.) http://www.unitytemple.org/ Please bring your favorite dishes, desserts, drinks, etc to share. We’ll have a BBQ grill going with American-style BBQ. The house has a natural swimming pool so please bring your swim suits (and towels) if you would like to swim or dip your toes. There will be games for the children and dogs, frogs, and big fish to entertain them. We look forward to celebrating with all of you the beginning of summer. Event will be rain or shine. Please feel free to invite your friends whether they are affiliated with the UU Geneva group or not. About the Talk: “Messy and Imperfect Beloved Community” by Rev. Alan Taylor Description: “Thomas Starr King knew from very early on just how liberating and how imperfect and messy progressive religious community can be. Rev. Alan Taylor will reflect on lessons from his life and ministry, particularly the lesser known chapters of his ministry as he took a prestigious Unitarian pulpit as a young self-taught Universalist minister.” Bio: Rev. Alan Taylor serves as Senior Minister of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation where he started in 2003. During these past 15 years the congregation has grown significantly and several ministries have thrived, included their social justice ministry. Prior, as minister of the Woodinville UU Church in the Seattle area, he led the young congregation as they built their church home. He is a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry and Pomona College. His wife, Angelica, is from Mexico City and had pursued her graduate studies in Lausanne. Alan is now on sabbatical, delighted to meet some of her friends and to meet fellow Unitarian Universalists who live in Switzerland. They have two children, Marco and Erica, who are 10 and 7. Story for All Ages: “The Starfish Story, adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eisley. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 22 April, 5:30pm (2nd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: : "Infinite Opportunities for the Practice of Mindfulness" Laymember Speaker: Trisha Riedy Based on the writings of Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh, who was nominated for the Nobel peace prize by Martin Luther King. We will sing the songs "Today" and "What a Wonderful World." Story for all Ages: Matthew's Meadow, a children’s book about listening to nature and ourselves. Youth Program: offered for children 4-12 years old. Please let us know if you are bringing your children so we can be prepared by the Friday evening (email: secretary@genevauu.org). Social Hour: after the gathering we share potluck apéros and beverages of choice, so you are welcome to bring something to share ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 11 March 2018, 5:30pm (2nd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: "Don't Take Care, Take Risk" Visiting UU Minister : Rev. Diane Rollert, Minister of the Unitarian Church of Montreal, Canada and new UUA Ambassador to Europe We can have some pretty inaccurate notions about what is dangerous and what is safe. When it comes to understanding risk, our emotions can either lead us to be too cautions or too foolish. But what if we told each other “take risk” instead of “take care”? This Sunday morning, we’ll explore the rational, emotional and spiritual side of boldly (but wisely!) taking more risks. This will be a sermon interwoven with questions that those gathered can answer. It will provide some ideas about UUism, as well as thoughts about taking the risk to be in religious community, along with considering all the worries we seem to be facing these days in this crazy world of ours. I’ll also incorporate a meditation/prayer time. In 2006, Rev. Diane Rollert became the 11th settled and first female minister of the Unitarian Church of Montreal since its founding in 1842. She completed her studies in parish ministry and Masters of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School in 2005, after careers in the online information industry and education. Diane is originally from the US and has studied in Mexico and Spain, lived in Luxembourg, and has spent much time over the years with her husband’s family in northern Italy. She has a passion for languages and communication, having learned to speak French since she first arrived in Montreal. She also speaks Italian and can often resuscitate her Spanish. She has a great love for the UU communities of the Philippines, as well as a strong connection to the Gaspésie, where she visits each summer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 25 February 2018, 5:30pm (4th Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: Poetry for the Soul, Rumi and Others Guest Speaker: Carla Drysdale Carla Drysdale is a Canadian poet who lives in France just over the border from Geneva, where she works as an editor, writer and communications consultant for the United Nations. She lives with her husband and two boys.Her poems have appeared in numerous publications, including Paris Press, Cleaver Magazine, PRISM, The Same, LIT, The Literary Review of Canada, Canadian Literature, The Fiddlehead, Global City Review, Literary Mama and in the anthology Entering the Real World: VCCA Poets on Mt. San Angelo. In May, 2014 she was awarded PRISM's annual Earle Birney poetry prize for her poem, "Inheritance." She was nominated by Zoetic Press in 2015 for Bettering American Poetry recognition. Her poem, “New Year's Eve” was set to music by American Pulitzer-prize winning composer David Del Tredici. Her first full-length collection of poems, Little Venus, was published by Toronto’s Tightrope Books in 2009, and her chapbook, Inheritance, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2016. She is working on a novel, The Sky Over Beaumaris, set in 1910, northern Wales. She received an MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College in 1999 and has been awarded residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts and La Porte Peinte in Noyers-Sur-Serein, France. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 21 January 2018, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “Cuisine Lab - Cooking by Refugees ” UU Visiting Minister: Dan Stein Our speaker has conducted an experiment. He has tried to live on the income of a typical Swiss refugee. Dan will share with us his perspectives and experiences in living within the economic constraints of a refugee/asylum seeker in the land of expensive plenty. Dan Stein is passionate about technology, innovation, community building, and social impact, he has launched several social startups and mentored graduate students in innovation. His projects have included the Refugee Cultural Festival , a festival celebrating Geneva’s diversity, Cuisine Lab , a cooking and community project for refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable migrants, and Interactions an NGO that supports projects focused on building sustainable communities through strengthening social cohesion and intercultural exchange. Dan led a team in winning the 2017 Social Impact Award with his NGO Cuisine Lab and was a featured speaker alongside Kofi Annan at the 2017 Peace Talks for World Peace Day hosted at the United Nations. In addition to contributing to managing several grass-roots projects, he works as a consultant on innovation, community engagement, and strategy for the International Organisation for Migration. “Geneva has all the ingredients necessary to show what a sustainable community looks like for the 21st century. Together we can do this if we have the courage to take risks, the curiosity to invent, and the dedication to collaborate.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 17 December 2017, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “Beacons of Hope” UU Visiting Minister: Rev. Lara Fuchs (Basel) In this season of increasing darkness, we look to our traditions, ancestors and faith to guide us on our paths and bring light back to the world. We will include the UU Mitten Tree tradition, so if you would like, please bring a new set of mittens or warm hat for children to donate to local charity. Join us as we connect together with the holidays through shared stories, candles and traditional holiday treats following the service. The service included a UU traditional "non-traditional" Christimas Mitten Tree celebration! This is a common UU tradition where everyone who wishes, brings newly-purchased mittens, hats, or warm items for children to decorate our Xmas tree (please keep store tags so that they will be accepted). These items were then donated to our local charity, Au Coeur des Grottes, which shelters, feeds, and clothes women and their children in need in Geneva. About Rev. Lara Fuchs Lara is Canadian and Swiss, and has lived in Europe since 2005. A life-long Unitarian Universalist After co-founding a new UU congregation in Basel in 2010, she became involved with the EUU (European Unitarian Universalists). Shortly thereafter was invited to join the Executive Committee of the ICUU (International Council of Unitarians and Universalists), and is serving her final term as Hon. Secretary. In May, 2017, she completed a 3-year Masters of Divinity program through Meadville Lombard Theological School, in Chicago, and was ordained as a UU minister by the internship congregation, the Unitarian Church in Westport, Connecticut. Lara served as a ministerial intern to Geneva and other fellowships in Europe during a 9-month period during her divinity studies. Lara's ministry is currently community based, not serving any single congregation, but multi-focused. Youth Program: Parents: this is an All-Ages Service. Please if your children are restless, take them to the back corner where we will have paper and crayons for quiet art creations, or if more attention is needed, please accompany them out of the meeting room. (email: secretary@genevauu.org). Social Hour: after the gathering we share potluck apéros and beverages of choice, so you are welcome to bring something to share from your favorite Holiday Recipes! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 19 November 2017, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “Identity and religion in Bosnia and Herzegovina” Guest Speaker: Jean Tesche, PhD Economist Bosnia has a history of multiple religions: Judaism, Islam, and Orthodox and Catholic Christianity along with the pre-Christian religion similar to the Bogomils, and 50 years of official atheism. Some argue that there has been nothing but conflict among these groups, others that between the wars (mostly coming from outside) people got along. Jean came to Sarajevo in January 1996, right after the end of the wars. The openness and grace of the people she met, considering what they had been through, changed her life. She spent years of research trying to understand what happened and why. Jean will talk about the history and the complex combination of identity and religions (that many people had to be retaught after the wars), but also her experience there. People do not need to live only with their own group, what is wonderful about the Balkans is the combination of cultures and religions. Dr. Jean Tesche is an economist who most recently has worked on tobacco taxation at the World Bank and WHO. Between 1996 and 2005 she served as Resident Advisor for the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury Office of Technical Assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia, followed by Burkina Faso in 2010-11. From 2005-2009, she was Professor of Economics at the Sarajevo Graduate School of Business (SGSB). She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Delaware and Linfield College. Her research interests include transition economies, with special interests in public finance and public health issues. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When: Sunday, 15 October 2017, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “Atonement” Lay Leadership: Steering Committe & Friends Many Unitarian Universalists (UUs) have a connection to Judaism. Whether we are ethnically, culturally, or spiritually Jewish, whether we're married to a Jewish person, or simply inspired by Jewish wisdom, we have a place in Unitarian Universalism. One of the six sources we draw upon in our worship and religious education is "Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves." We honor Jewish holidays with a progressive and inclusive twist. UUs with Jewish heritage hold Passover seders, celebrate Hanukkah, and mark the High Holy Days. When we worship together, Judaism comes into play in a variety of ways depending on the congregation. [from https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/beliefs/judaism]. The Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) started 21-22 September and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement was observed 30 September. "The Jewish High Holidays tap into the idea of atonement more profoundly than does almost any other religious festival. On Rosh Hashonna, the beginning of a new year, the book of life is opened. On Yom Kippur, it is sealed. Having made peace with the past, we commit ourselves to script a new future. Put simply, we turn the page." This is from a homily by the reknown UU minister Forrest Church from 2007. Scott Andersen, President of UUG Steering Committee, will present this sermon on Atonement with some interpretations. We will then have a discussion after the reading. When: Sunday, 17 September 2017, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “UU Water Ceremony” Lay Leadership: Steering Committe & Friends UUG celebrated the traditional UU Water Ceremony or Mingling of the Waters, which holds special meaning for our life together as a faith community after the summer hiatus. The Mingling of the Waters (sometimes called Water Communion/Ceremony) typically starts our program year in September. -> Each participant is invited to bring a small amount of water collected from a place they have visited over the summer! ...and, if they wish, to share with us briefly about the place from which the water came and what they associated with the water or place. These small amounts of water come from near and far. Sometimes people have traveled far and bring water from China or Africa or Tibet, or water can come from a child's backyard inflatable pool or a rain puddle. As the water is mingled in a large bowl, it reminds us of the many ways our lives are intertwined, not only with those within our fellowship or the community where we live, but truly intertwined with the lives of people throughout the world. This water can be symbolic – meaning you can bring a sample from your tap faucet in a small container – or we will have water available for you to use symbolically. When: Sunday, 18 June, 2017, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “Being Home” Visiting UU Minister: Rev. Paul Rasor Pakistani writer Mohsin Hamid notes that 'everyone migrates even if we stay in the same houses our whole lives, because we can't help it. We are all migrants through time.' But many of us are also migrants through space. How does this pattern of constant migration impact our ability to be at home? Rev. Paul Rasor retired in 2013 after nearly 30 years of teaching in law and theology and religious studies at several American institutions, including Andover Newton Theological School, Harvard Divinity School, Washburn University School of Law, and Pendle Hill Quaker Study Center. From 2005 to 2013 he was Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom and Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Virginia Wesleyan College. In 2015 he accepted a position as the Gerard van der Leeuw Fellow in the faculty of theology and religious studies and Visiting Professor of Law in the faculty of law at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, where he continues to teach an interdisciplinary course on Hate Speech. Paul received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Ph.D. in the study of religion from Harvard University and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) from the University of Michigan. He is also an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister. Paul has published widely in both law and theology for both scholarly and lay audiences. Among other books, he is author of Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square (2012) and Faith Without Certainty: Liberal Theology in the 21st Century (2005), which has been translated into Dutch, Hungarian and Czech. He is also editor of From Jamestown to Jefferson: The Evolution of Religious Freedom in Virginia, University of Virginia Press, 2011. He recently contributed chapter on patterns of regulating religion in Europe for a book on Religion in European Society to be published in 2017. When: Sunday, 21 May, 2017, 5:30pm (3rdnd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “Life’s Little Deaths - Practicing how to Say Goodbye ” Visiting UU Minister: Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed “We keep saying farewell in the world, always standing at the edge of loss attempting to retrieve some human meaning from the silence, something we held precious is gone.” Adlai Stevenson Mark is visiting us during his final tour as UUA Ambassador to European congregations, as he is stepping down after four years to pursue writing and other activities. He is the former UU co-minister of Rochester, NY, and Toronto and is a former president of the Canadian Unitarian Council. He is author/editor of nine meditation manuals, curricula and books. When: Sunday, 9 April, 2017, 5:30pm (2nd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: The Preacher and the Fish Bone: a Homily on Spiritual Courage Visiting UU Minister: Rev. Eric Cherry, UUA, Boston For the spiritually hungry and religiously open-hearted, fear and courage are not opposites. They are pathways we choose in response to the universal invitation to take ‘one more step’ into an unknown future that matters. In this season framed by holy times and sacred scriptures, let’s explore the courageous option and why religious community matters when we do. Reverend Eric M. Cherry has been the Director of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s International Office since August 2007. In this position, Eric manages the UUA’s relationships with U/U and interfaith partners around the world, provides resources for congregational international engagement, and supervises the staff of the UU Holdeen India Program and UU United Nations Office, and participates as a member of the UUA's Program and Strategy team. Prior to accepting this position Eric served for 12 years as a parish minister with UU congregations in Burlington, Iowa and N. Easton, Massachusetts. When: Sunday, 19 March, 2017, 5:30pm (3rd Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: "A storycatcher's tale about masculinity." Special guest speaker: Aernout Zevenbergen Spots of a leopard - on being a man is Zevenbergen's 2009 book about a quest to discover the meaning of life as a man in this day and age. When internationally acclaimed journalist Zevenbergen moved to Kenya in 1997, he had no idea how deeply his encounters with joy and sorrow in Africa would effect him. Zevenbergen will share with us how his discussions on the biggest life questions with a wide variety of men; from truckers to bikers, from paupers to presidents, from warriors to widowers led him on a path of self-discovery. Aernout Zevenbergen was born in Lusaka (Zambia), but raised in the Netherlands. He studied political science to become a journalist, and at age 30 moved to Nairobi (Kenya) in 1997 to become the Africa correspondent for leading newspapers in Europe as well as magazines like National Geographic. In 2001 he set out to collect material from all over the African continent about issues of identity, masculinity and manhood. He was guided by one question only: "What does it mean to be a man, today, in Africa?” Inspired by his curiosity into issues of manhood and modern masculinity, Zevenbergen decided to pursue a degree in Counselling Psychology from the United States International University in Nairobi, and graduated in December 2015. Zevenbergen now lives near Nyon with his wife and their three dogs. These days he no longer writes professionally, but works as a practicing Counselling Psychologist. When: Sunday, 26 February, 2017, 5:30pm (4th Sunday) Where: The Quaker House Title: “Finding My Way Home ” Lay speaker: Rowan Matley What and where is home? How does home change as we change, and as the world changes? This gathering will give us a chance to collectively explore those questions and more. Join us as we probe the definition of home and come away with an expanded understanding of home, community, and each other. Rowan is a visiting student at the Université de Genève, where she is studying physics in the department of quantum matter physics. Before coming to Geneva, Rowan was a student at Carleton College (Northfield, MN, USA), where she studied chemistry and Medieval & Renaissance history and co-lead the student UU organization. A native of Akron, OH, Rowan has been a member of the UU Church of Kent, OH, where she sang in the choir and participated in youth activities. Although her stay in Geneva has been relatively short, Rowan is thrilled to have been able to spend some of that time with the UU Fellowship. SEE the Co-Poem "We are from UUG," that Rowan led us in creating on Home Page (scroll down)! When: Sunday, 15 January, 2017, 5:30pm Where: The Quaker House Title: “Taoism: Effortless Action and the Spaciousness of Being” Lay speaker: Trisha Riedy The metaphor for Taoism is water as it flows effortlessly without forcing things, is content with the low places, yet is powerful and nourishing and clear. Observing the natural harmony and balance in nature and releasing this in ourselves and our relations contributes to the whole. Some background on Taoism, its main founder Lao Tzu, and on Tai chi will be provided. Books referenced will be The Tao of Pooh, The Tao te Ching, and the Tao of Physics. When: Sunday, 18 December, 2016, 3pm Where: The Quaker House Title: End-of-Year Festivities including Christmas caroling with the Quakers! Speaker: Lay-led When: Sunday, 20 November, 2016, 17:30 Where: The Quaker House Title: Gratitude and thankfulness Speaker: Lay-led We will touch on the themes surrounding gratitude and thankfulness during this post-Trumpian period when it can be challenging for those who had high hopes for the future found themselves plunged into what seems to be an Orwellian nightmare. How do we learn from this development, how do we embrace the gift of having the veil lifted, how do we appreciate the chance to fully acknowledge our values, and how do we manifest our values in everyday life? When: Sunday, October 16, 2016, at 17:30 Where: The Quaker House Title: The Gift of Mindfulness Speaker: Bianca King Bianca King is an experienced Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Meditation Teacher, and registered Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher. Bianca regularly conducts public courses in and around Geneva. In particular, she provides mindfulness-based programs for numerous organisations including the WHO, for staff and parents at The International Schools, as well as the English Speaking Cancer Association. Sunday, 19 June, 2016, Theme: "While Jogging Through Life I Found Myself Running from Fear" Presenter: Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed, UU Association (Boston) Ambassador to European UU fellowships. Sunday, 22 May 2016 Theme: "Resilient Souls" Presenter: Rev. Robert Hardies, Special Visiting UU Minister: All-Souls UU, Washington, D.C. Sunday, 24 April 2016, Theme: "Why true connection and community are crucial to support parents in today’s social media-driven world" Presenter: Anne Ferguson, Founder, Teacher & Chief Gatherer, The Centered Mama Project Sunday, 20 March 2016 Theme: "Making Sense of Easter - a Unitarian Universalist reflection on the renewal and rebirth." Presenter: Scott Andersen, President of the UUG fellowship Sunday, 28 February, 2016 Theme: "Superheroes and secret identities: behind the mask" Presenter: Lara Fuchs-Holm, UU Ministerial Intern to Geneva, Basel, & Amsterdam Sunday, 17 January, 2016 Theme: "An Active Peace for 2016: Profile of James Twyman, Peace Troubadour (and other peacemakers)." Presenter: Kate Lanxner, UUG Youth Program Director, illustrator, and holistic wellness practitioner. Sunday, 13 December, 2015, 17:00 (5pm) Topic: The Story of "The Gift of the Magi" (by O.Henry), Favorite Christmas Carols Sing-Along, UU Mitten Tree Led by Deborah Toppenberg-Pejcic Reading by Nelly Uzan Sunday, 15 November, 2015, Topic: Our Beloved Community. Led by Lara Fuchs, our shared-UU Ministerial Intern Sunday, 11 October, 2015, Topic: Reclaiming Prayer? Dramatic reading of the segments of the book "Simply Pray." Author UU Minister Eric Walker Wikstrom Performance by Nelly Uzan Sunday, 18 September, 2015, Theme: Rivers Visiting Ministers Eric Cherry and Lara Vulpes Sunday 15 May 2015 Lay-led Book Reading & Discussion: Religion for Atheists, the "Kindness” Chapter, by Alain de Botton April 2015: The importance of being wrong in religion and spirituality led by: guest Rev. Steve Dick Executive Director of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) March 2015: How do I find my unique contribution on this earth? led by: guest Viviane Haenni Theologian, councelor, life-coach, workshop and retreat leader February 2015: A Dialogue Between Different Religions--Is It Possible? led by: guest Hans-Christoph Askani Professor and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Theology University of Geneva January 2015: Free and equal in dignity and rights: LGBTI persons and faith led by: guest André du Plessis UN Programme and Advocacy Manager; ILGA – International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association Watch the talk here December 2014: Christmas at 114 S Street led by Visiting Ambassador Minister Mark Morrison Reed November 2014: Dinner for 100 Representing the World's Population led by Ramin Hashemi (lUUG member) text forthcoming October 2014: Atonement--The Humanistic Perspective led by Scott Anderson (UUG member) text forthcoming September 2014: Watery Web of Life led by Deborah Toppengberg-Pejcic (UUG member) text forthcoming June 2014: Sucking the Marrow from the Bones of Life led by Deborah Toppengberg-Pejcic (UUG member) text May 2014 The Reluctant Unitarian led by Reva Gutnick (UUG member) text April 2014 Meditation led by Janet Gomez (UUG member) text Mar 2014 Dragged Kicking and Screaming into Heaven Visiting Minister Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed watch sermon Feb 2014 Mindful Giving led by Scott Andersen (UUG member) text Jan 2014 Introduction to Unitarian Universalism led by Aneta Wierzynska (UUG member) text Dec 2013 Singing in a Winter Wonderland led by Karin Holm Randall (UUG member) text Nov 2013 Mindful Gratitude led by Aneta Wierzynska (UUG member) text Order of Service Oct 2013 Celebration Circles led by guest Lisa Ely (visiting UU) Order of Service Sept 2013 Water Ceremony led by Deborah Toppenberg-Pejcic (UUG member) June 2013 Hike in the Jura led by Deborah Toppengberg-Pejcic (UUG member) May 2013 Feeling our Roots led by Aneta Wierzynska (UUG member) text Order of Service April 2013 "Voices from the Margins" Visiting Minister Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed flyer March 2013 Signs of Spring Walk flyer February 2013 "UU for the World" Visiting Minister Rev. Anthony David Makar flyer January 2013 Reflections on Resolutions let by Aneta Wierzynska (UUG member) text March 2012 "Universality and Relativism" led by Daryl Newton (UUG member) Order of Service |