CARP Winter Retreat

27.12.2013 - 02.01.2014

Everyone of us, whatever Generation, background, age, belief or gender, we all have our life projects we are currently working on. To take a break from our busy lives and to experience a time of sharing and joy, that was the purpose for this workshop. Around 80 people (incl. staff) took the opportunity to join in this amazing winter retreat that was organized by CARP Switzerland and Germany. We were people from 12 different nations from around the globe and we are glad, that everyone could have a memorable experience. Everyday we had a different motto, a different project we wanted to work on. We started the day with some super fun Zumba dancing, which woke us up and pumped us up for the short HDH and discussions on the topic of the day. After breakfast, everyone got the opportunity to take part in an activity of choice for about six hours. We had many different ways for people to blast through the time, amongst them: skiing, sledding, hiking, boardgames, sight seeing and many more. In the late afternoon and evening we listened to inspiring talks and had discussions on the topic of the day, closing the day early enough for people to mingle and share. We are truly grateful for our two elder brothers Tim Read and Julius Alexy who came all the way to Switzerland to share with us their experiences and thoughts.

… setting the foundation

Every workshop starts with an introduction into the program and a phase of getting to know each other. This retreat was no exception. We played creative games to encourage people to get to know one another and set the foundation for the rest of the retreat.

… finding God within

To start off the workshop we focused on our relationship with God and True Parents. After an enlightening talk about the importance of connecting ourselves to God and True Parents and some sharing about our relationship with them we had a prayer evening, where we could really reach within ourselves and connect to the architect of us all.

… a movement we love

To save the world, nothing less is our creed. But only if we bring the principle and true love into practice can this be accomplished. To learn more about this, we learned about the mission of True Parents and our place in the movement. After the talk, we had the opportunity to discuss about topics like professional networking, leadership priorities, carp/youth work and more.

… joyful relationships

Getting matched, going to the blessing and starting family life is a central part of our faith and lives, which is why we focused our fourth day on this topic. After a general introduction into the importance of lineage and the foundation that we as 2nd Generation stand on, we separated into two different groups. One covering the topic of blessing preparation while the other focused on family life and children preparation. The day was concluded with watching a video on the needs of men and women and a Q&A on relationships, which brought out interesting and challenging topics.

… a happy life

Enjoying every moment of our lives, living it to the fullest potential. This is what we strive for. Thus we took about nine hours to enjoy different activities of choice. After a wonderful fondue dinner we listened to a talk about how to live a happy life which prepared us for the reflection time in which we could think back on our year and make set goals for our new year. Shortly before midnight we walked out and closed the year with a unison prayer and cheers of ok-mansei. Afterwards we welcomed the new year with sparklers, by watching the local fireworks and a small dance party.

… a life of service

After an amazing brunch we enjoyed a talk about living a life of service by connecting our hearts to God and putting him first in our lives. Then we went into town and performed a Zumba flashmob in front of tourists and locals. After a wonderful four course dinner we concluded the workshop with reflections and the graduation, which involved some funny and touching performances by the participants, ending with a very well received game of testing the focus and leadership potential of the participants, which lasted for over two hours! To end the workshop in a blast we had a big party which lasted well into the next day with people dancing and playing until four in the morning.

… a great new year

The last day we cleaned up the place and left for our homes with lots of happy memories from an amazing time in which we could get to know new brothers and sisters, be inspired by deep talks and experience a slice of heaven.

Some reflections from the participants

“This was truly a great WS and I really had an excellent time. This gave me new motivation in many aspects of life and church! Thanks to everybody!!!”

“This workshop reconnected me to a centre during a very confusing time in my life and in the church. I reflected on many things and I’m happy with my new determinations.”

“I thought that the workshop was never boring because there were so many activities and stuff you could do. You could feel how much love and thoughts were put into this workshop. I am grateful that I could go to this workshop. “

“I couldn’t have spent New Year’s in a better place than at the Swiss-German CARP Winter Retreat. The workshop came at a point in my personal life of faith where I very much needed some divine Intervention. The Retreat created plenty of opportunities for God to come. Personally, the two highlights were sharing until late with three of my brothers. It helped me to several realizations about which direction I should be growing in, in the New Year. The second was the prayer night on the first day. It threw me in the deep end and challenged me to clarify my intentions for this WS.“

“The workshop was a great way to move into the New Year. I had so much fun with my brothers and sisters and had time to think about my faith at the same time.”

“This workshop was a very special one, because we did skiing and sledding and could have a lot of fun. Thank you!”

“It’s definitely nice to have come to this WS because the atmosphere was really fraternal. Meeting BCs you don’t know is precious because as we were growing up we didn’t get a lot of chances to meet other BCs from all around Europe. Having the WS in Appenzell is wonderful because this place offers so many opportunities to do nice winter sports and the WS place can accommodate so many people and the staff was doing a great job. The schedule enabled to have a lot of sharing and reflection and I think this is good! Thank you!”

“The WS gave me the opportunity to re-connect and deepen my relationship with my brothers and sisters as well as True Parents and God. I feel like I discovered my identity during the WS. I hope that every single one of us will maintain this great spirit as long as possible.“

“This WS is the best way to finish the year and start a new one.”

“Having fun with wonderful people in a wonderful place, what else do we need?”

“I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere. I think everybody could gain something from our time here regardless of their level of faith. Everybody’s opinion was accepted and everyone could feel free to participate in the activities he/she wanted.“

“The themes treated in lectures, happy life, or finding God, were from my opinion very suited for a base to reflect on in order to establish a New Year’s goal / resolution which I wouldn’t have done on my own probably. To be with other BCs helps as well. I’ve spent a very good time. Thank you guys, the team, the

country, everyone.”

“The workshop was what I needed: meeting good friends from other countries, relaxation from the everyday stress, give and take spiritual matters, and everything in a good balance.“

“Thanks for the best WS-food ever – spiritual and physical!”

“This workshop was great! And a good way to end an old and start a new year with friends and equal minded. Plus it’s a great place for breath taking hikes for even more breath taking views.”

“A great workshop with lots of activities and relevant talks all set in fantastic surroundings. I’d recommend it to all young adults.“