With this newsletter we would like to look back with you at the last annual EFA gathering and moving forward to the future, to the next gathering in Belgium.

Looking back on the 2024 EFA gathering in Achberg, Germany

In September, 31 members from 11 European countries came together for 5 days to create and enjoy our annual EFA gathering near Lake Constance at Humboldt Haus, a retreat center in Achberg, Germany.
Gendlin himself offered Focusing workshops here between 1992 and 1997. Regina Juergens made the connection to this place for us. Everything there felt supportive: the pleasant meeting rooms, the delicious buffets, the Focusing energy stored in the walls and the beautiful natural surroundings with an occasional stunning view of the snowy Alps.

Together we were enjoying ‘The Waves of Life, sensing and thinking freshly’ for 5 days.

On the first day, Heidrun Essler once again worked her magic by guiding us calmly and clearly through the process of creating the programme together. After that, we enjoyed a rich mix of interest groups, discussions, workshops, presentations, sharing and experientials. We also took time twice a day for partner Focusing and small “home groups”. This format created a perfect balance: we were able to share new ideas and insights and then digest and integrate what we learned in our Focusing times, making what we had received our own through personal reflection. The somewhat rainy week gave us plenty of time to hang out together, chat, sing, dance, sleep, and much more.

When it came to the question of how to carry EFA forward, we tried out a new format, a four-table journey, similar to what some of you know as a “World Café”. With pre-set topics: Future EFA gatherings, Website, Finance, and Open Space, everyone had the opportunity to talk about each topic and brainstorm ideas in small groups. It was fun, creative, effective, and much appreciated by many. Hopefully, many of us will feel called to put some of these wonderful ideas into action.

The sharing of our experiences, participants’ feedback:

At our monthly EFA online meeting, held just two days after our gathering, we shared what was particularly valuable to each of us from our time together. The flavour of what’s growing in the European Focusers’ associating shows in the feedback from participants. Just a couple of impressions shared here. You can find everybody’s feedback on the website here.

Heidrun: The gathering felt like Focusing and interacting the Focusing way the whole time. It feels like something fell into place for us as European Focusers. It’s unique in how it is not like a conference, where one runs from one workshop to the next. We have reached a point, where Focusing exchanges around themes can happen in a different, beautiful way.

Rosella: The 2024 EFA gathering has had for me a quality of attentive care and support for each other. I connected with participants I hadn’t encountered in the previous gatherings. A thoughtful structure and an imaginative way of allowing people to unfold their own creativity. The venue was beautiful and the meals really healthy: I enjoyed every minute!

Ria: I was so amazed and happy to see – on the first morning when we all co-created the program – how many happenings were offered, it was like a busy energetic beehive. With such a diversity of workshops, topics and other activities that it was difficult to choose where to go and enjoy ‘the honey’!

The co-creating of the programme with all the happenings:

On the first morning and during the following days we created the programme together.
You can find the resulting Happenings that took place here on the website.

The Carrying Forward Sessions:

During the ‘carrying forward sessions’ all kinds of new ideas and initiatives were brought forward. We invite you to have a look here.

Interest Groups:

Many new ideas for interest groups have emerged and we have now added a short description to each group. We invite you to contact the initiators if you are interested in joining or co-creating with them. Take a look here.

Fiona Parr’s stepping down from the Steering Group

Fiona Parr, who has been part of EFA and the steering group since ‘the beginning’, announced during the 2024 gathering that she is stepping back from the steering group. After so many years she thought it would be time for others to carry forward in the role of steering group member. The very very long applause after the announcement showed how Fiona was valued and appreciated by all of us for all she has contributed for so many years. Her response to the long applause was representative of her being: modest, dedicated and ’shy’ with all the attention she got.

We, the EFA steering team, will miss her greatly and we thank her so much for all she contributed and for who she is.

Moving to the future…:

The 2025 EFA gathering will take place in Belgium from 17^th to 21^st September 2025.

In 2025 the EFA gathering takes place – 5 days/4 nights – in the beautiful retreat center Koningsteen in Kapelle-op-den-Bos in Belgium. WELCOME! And SAVE THE DATE!
The primary purpose of the annual EFA gathering is for European Focusers to connect and inspire each other, and to create European work relationships.
All information can be found on the EFA website here. The start of registration to participate will be announced later. We invite you to join us in Belgium at this beautiful place! Welcome!

The 2026 EFA gathering that will take place in Scotland from 23^rd to 27^th September.
Information will follow in due course on the EFA website. SAVE the DATE!

If you have an idea of where to meet in 2027 please contact us!

For now, we wish you a beautiful autumn time!

Warmly
The EFA Steering group

Sari Pekki, Amona Buechler, Ruth Hirsch,
Dietmar Steinbach, Ria van Hage, Cornelius Gehrig, Lucy Hyde