WORLD FEDERATION of Methodist and Uniting Church Women
Grounded in Love 11th Joint European Area Seminar, Porto,13th-17th June 2024
Invitation
Dear Sisters in Christ,
I greet you and happily invite you to the 11th Joint European Area Seminar with the words of apostle Paul:
„…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3, 17-19)
What should you know about this Seminar?
The link to the Registration Form is near the end of this page – read all the information carefully on your way down to the link!
What is the “Joint Area Seminar”?
It is a conference of all Methodist women in Europe. The Area Seminar is colourful, joyful and meaningful! It takes place every 4 or 5 years. The Seminar is organized by the Area Presidents and Vice Presidents of the two European areas in the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW). This time it is the turn of Europe (Continental) to take the lead so the Seminar is hosted in continental Europe.
When does the program start?
The program starts on Thursday evening, and it will end on Sunday evening. Arrivals preferably should be in between 2 pm and 6 pm on Thursday, the 13th, and departures on Monday morning, the 17th of June, after breakfast.
What is on the program?
This is a place to meet and grow with other Methodist women from across Europe! There will be Bible studies, keynotes and workshops, panel discussions and a special speaker. In addition, we will come together in prayer and worship, and bring everything together with a traditional Methodist Love Feast. In between there will be opportunities for craft and activity and visits in the lovely city of Porto. You might like to visit the nearby Lello Library that inspired JK Rowling in writing Harry Potter. More information about the speakers, guests can be found on the flyer. Detailed program with workshop offers will be uploaded later.
What will the language of the Seminar be?
The main language of communication will be English, but we will also have songs and prayers in languages other than English. No translation will be arranged by the planning team.
Where will this Seminar take place?
In the wonderful city of Porto, Portugal. All events of the Seminar will be held in the conference rooms of the Hotel Ipanema, Porto. We refer to it as the “seminar hotel” (address: Rua Do Campo Alegre, 156/172, Porto, 4150-169, Portugal)
Where can I stay?
There are 3 options, you can choose:
- Hotel Ipanema, (the Seminar hotel) Rua Do Campo Alegre, 156/172, Porto, 4150-169, Portugal
- Hotel Tuela (another hotel nearby) Rua Arquitecto Marques Da Silva, 200, Lordelo do Ouro e Massarelos, 4150-483 Porto
- accommodation you organize independently
We, as the planning team, offer our assistance with the bookings in the above two Hotels, which are a 5-minute walk from each other. If you prefer to be where the Seminar events take place, then choose Hotel Ipanema. If you don’t mind walking a bit every day, and a lower priced hotel is also good for you, choose Hotel Tuela. If you want to search for another place for yourself (another hotel, Airbnb, apartment, or hostel etc), then choose the option: ‘no accommodation’ in the registration form. It means that you will have to organize it for yourself, and you will be asked to pay the registration fee only. If you choose any of these two Hotels mentioned above, the Seminar organizers will arrange your room booking. If you choose „no accommodation” you will have to take care of your own accommodation.
Accommodation costs will depend on your choice of hotel and room. All hotel prices quoted are for bed & breakfast accommodation for 4 nights from Thursday 13th to Monday 17th June 2024. (Breakfast on Monday is also included.) Attention: We can only guarantee these accommodation rates until the 4th November 2023, so early booking is recommended!!!
All costs are in EURO (€), the official currency of the host country, Portugal.
These are EARLY BIRD accommodation rates (booking before the 4th November 2023):
- Ipanema Porto Hotel (Seminar Hotel) Twin Room | 321 € per person
- Ipanema Porto Hotel (Seminar Hotel) Single Room | 642 €
- Tuela Hotel (5-minute walk from the Seminar Hotel) Twin Room | 292 € per person
- Tuela Hotel (5-minute walk from the Seminar Hotel) Single Room | 584 €
Note: If you wish to extend your stay by additional nights, before or after the Seminar, please contact the hotel directly or a booking website such as Booking.com etc.
For all attendees, the Seminar registration fee of 250 € is non-refundable.
Your registration will be confirmed upon receipt of the registration fee payment.
Meals
You have the choice to include meals (lunches and dinners), which will be served in the Seminar Hotel (Hotel Ipanema). This means all together 7 meals during the Seminar. Buffet lunch and dinner are both 27 Euros per person. If you wish to include meals, you need to add 189 € (7 x 27 €) to your payments.
This is optional. If you think that you can manage to buy food for yourself somewhere else to reduce your costs, you are free to do so. There is a great food court 5 minutes away from the Seminar Hotel with a vast variety of good and cheaper food options.
How much do I pay?
The total cost of the Seminar is calculated as the sum of the
- registration fee
- the price of the hotel accommodation
- meals (lunch, dinner)
The registration fee is 250 €, which covers all coffee breaks, and Seminar organizing expenses. (Lunches and dinners are NOT included in the registration fee!!) The registration fee is due after you have filled in the registration form, and it is non-refundable.
Examples:
- If you choose to stay at Hotel Ipanema (Seminar Hotel), and you are comfortable with sharing your room with another participant (Twin Room), and you choose to have the meals included, your total cost will be 760 €. You will need to pay the registration fee of 250 € before the 4th November, and pay 321+189 € for the Hotel stay and for your meals before the end of February, 2024.
- If you choose no accommodation, and no meals, you only have to pay the registration fee: 250 €.
How can I pay?
Two options:
- PayPal:
click here: Click here to pay
- Bank transfer. Please make all bank transfers to this account:
Please indicate in subject or title: Area Seminar Porto + your full name
| Beneficiary’s name: | IGREJA EVANGELICA METODISTA PORTUGUESA |
| Beneficiary’s address: | Praça Coronel Pacheco, 23, Porto, Portugal |
| IBAN: | PT50.0033.0000.01091751875.17 |
| SWIFT: | BCOMPTPL |
| Bank’s name: | Millennium bcp |
| Bank’s address: | PRAÇA D. JOÃO I, nº28
4000-295 PORTO, PORTUGAL |
While making your transfer, please choose the option that you cover the costs of the transfer itself to reduce Seminar expenses, thank you!
Payment deadlines:
Registration fee (250 Euros) is due to 4th November 2023
The full payment (chosen accommodation costs, plus optional meals)
has to be made by 29th February 2024
Please be aware that full reimbursement may not be guaranteed if you cancel your registration within 30 days prior to the Seminar.
City tax
Be prepared, that you will have to pay a city tax upon the arrival to your hotel, which is 2 Euros/day/person.
Day visitors:
We welcome day visitors too, please contact Filipa Teixeira, if you would like to visit the Seminar in Porto. Her email is below.
Travel
You are responsible for your own transport to Porto. Volunteers will be waiting for you at the airport to assist you in selecting transportation of your choice to the hotel. We encourage you to install the BOLT app on your phone, because you can call taxis at a much lower rate via BOLT app.
VISA
The visa application must be submitted in person by the applicant at the Consular Office in their area of residence, the cost of it is the applicant’s responsibility. The visa application must provide justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay. If you need an invitation letter from Portugal please contact by email: secretaria@igrejametodista.pt (Portuguese Methodist Church)
Insurance:
IT IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE AND ANY OTHER INSURANCE YOU FEEL APPROPRIATE (as well as any medication you will need). The WFM&UCW cannot be held responsible for any damage to or loss of luggage in connection with travel to or from the seminar, nor on the optional excursions.
- All members of EEC countries should bring their European Health Insurance Card.
Register now…
…and start to plan your journey!
We can only guarantee these accommodation rates above until the 4th November, so early booking is recommended!
The process of registration:
- Read all information carefully.
- Click on the registration link. It will take you to a Google form. Fill it in, and submit. It will automatically be sent to us!
- Pay your registration fee for reservation (250 €)
- Pay for your accommodation and meals.
Registration link is here: Click here to book
Contact
in Continental Europe:
Lilla Kardosné Lakatos, Area President: europe.president@wfmucw.org
Filipa Teixeira, Area Vice President: europe.vice-president@wfmucw.org
in Britain & Ireland
Barbara Easton, Area President: britainireland.president@wfmucw.org
Wanda Hogan, Area Vice President: britainireland.vice-president@wfmucw.org
