Report the Annual European BFD Meeting in Bad Camberg, Germany

We Feel Called to Help and Support Neumühle Trainings Centre, Bad Camberg, Germany, 5. - 7. September 2014

36 Delegates from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K.

Susan Crosthwaite Reporting on the Annual BFD echoed the sense that we feel called to this work, and Meeting. (Thanks again to Pavel Piskáček for the seriously seek God’s help to improve our photographs) effectiveness and quality of understanding of and care for the Blessed Families. This then seemed to me to be the theme of our meeting this year. We listened

L ooking over the last 3 years of reports about our Annual Meeting, I read the headings: 2011: “Building the EU-BFD Together” 2012: “Growing as a Team” to presentations and brainstorming sessions with this heart. Our main focus was four-fold:  Hearing reports from the Strategic Conference 2013: ”Annual Meeting brings together 43 Delegates from 19 Countries” and Family Educators’ Seminar in Korea This was our 8th Annual meeting and the first to be  Learning about the Sunday School Curriculum held in the newly refurbished Neumuehle, Camberg. presented by teacher Mr. Tim Atkinson The staff there cared for us so warmly with delicious  Networking with one another; progress reports and healthy food and excellent accommodation, and and offering spontaneous contributions it was great to be in ‘our own’ place where we could  Questions and Answers about the matching and feel more free and embraced by the lovely Blessing process atmosphere. Our MC, David Perry spoke of and offered a moving prayer about it, and the words of our songs often

Sunday School Curriculum created by Mr. Tim We also enjoyed what we call ‘Healing Components’ Atkinson which this year included sessions about ‘Empathetic Listening’ by Kurt Sattlberger and the 8 Practical Steps to improve Relationships from Mr Yuji Otomo’s work, presented by Susan Crosthwaite. Physical Health presentations were given by Liliana Karlsson and Marietta Bruffaerts both emphasising the importance of harmonising good food, exercise, fresh air and water for good health.

Tim Atkinson’s Sunday School Curriculum, which he developed in Sweden over 21 years was presented with an animated talk by him. It is available for your Dr David Hanna, with Mrs Susan Crosthwaite who use for children from 3 to 11 years of age and can be convened the meeting with our MC, Mr. David Perry ordered at a very reasonable price by emailing him at timothy.atk@hotmail.com . It consists of almost 300 David and Susan also reported about the Strategic tried and tested lesson plans having already being Meeting and Family education Seminar in Korea used in several European countries. Tim is generously which was held from August 15-17. offering to come to any community to teach those In several sessions we posed statements, questions interested in being Sunday-School teachers, asking and brainstorming topics to stimulate everyone to only for the hosts to cover transport and contribute their ideas. The topics covering areas such accommodation costs. as the 2nd Gen. matching process and how to support those who have fallen, developing comprehensive ‘life-long education’ programs and how we ought to restructure the European BFD Committee. In several sessions we posed statements, questions and brainstorming topics to stimulate everyone to contribute their ideas. The topics covering areas such as the 2nd Gen. matching process and how to support those who have fallen, developing comprehensive ‘life-long education’ programs and how we ought to restructure the European BFD Committee.

Mrs. Liz Bramsen posing a question and Mr. Geros Kunkel giving answers

Progress reports from the Nations and Departments

Mrs. RosieTijsterman on behalf of the German BFD - Mrs. Betty Cali from Italy - Mrs. Gabi Zoehrer from Austria - including about the ‘Gender Mainstreaming’ seminar - Mr.Patrick Hanna - on summer activities of the ESGD

Mrs. Jane Toresen on progress and challenges she is facing - Mr Hans Karlsson updating us on the progress of the Jacob Childrens’ Initiative which is now in its third year

Networking, sharing, bonding and learning from and about one another ….the joy of being together again!