Soroptimist International Muenster 50th Anniversary Celebration and Friendship Weekend 26 to 28 June 2026.
It was wonderful that so many of our Members were able to join SI Muenster in celebrating their 50th Anniversary – we were a group of 11 made up of 6 Soroptimists and 5 Soroptimisters. You will see from the photographs that it was a very hot weekend, and our sister Soroptimists worked really hard to make it a real celebration so that everyone was able to enjoy all of the events in spite of the heat-wave. The cover of the programme is shown here, and the translation of the content can be read by clicking here: Muenster – 50 Years SI Club Münster, programme 27.6.2026, english
On Friday Evening there was a get-Together at “Mimigernaford”, a traditional Westphalian restaurant in Muenster. There were many Club Members and guests including from sister Clubs in Germany and another Friendship Link in Groningen in the Netherlands. Everyone was seated in the Courtyard which felt like we were stepping back in time. The food was delicious and the cold drinks, including some lovely German wine, went down very well! SI Muenster Club President Kathi Schepers gave a welcome address which can be read in full on pages 10 of this translation: Muenster – 50 Years SI Club Münster, programme 27.6.2026, english. To sum up she said “I am truly delighted that we are able to celebrate the opening of our anniversary celebrations in such a special place. An anniversary is not defined solely by programmes or ceremonies, but above all by the people who belong to it – by community, friendship and shared memories. So let us enjoy this evening together, take the opportunity to talk and reconnect, and look forward together to the highlights that lie ahead during our anniversary celebrations. And of course, I now wish you great enjoyment of the Westphalian specialities, stimulating conversations, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.”
The Official Ceremony on Saturday 27 June was held at the historic town hall in Muenster https://www.stadt-muenster.de/tourismus/sehenswertes/altstadt/rathaus-stadtweinhaus
Everyone was welcomed with a champagne reception which continued after the ceremony. Details of the event can be read in full on pages 1-5 of this translation: Muenster – 50 Years SI Club Münster, programme 27.6.2026, english. The Mayor of Muenster gave a welcome speech. SI Muenster Club President Kathi Schepers gave a welcome address – it can be read in full, but some extracts are here: “We are celebrating 50 years of SI Club Münster in a most fitting place: the historic Town Hall of Münster, where parts of the Peace of Westphalia negotiations were held in 1648. A place symbolising dialogue, understanding and cooperation. That we may gather here today gives our celebration a particularly meaningful setting. Looking back over 50 years, we see a history of commitment, responsibility and community. Since 1976, we have lived our values: equality, education, empowerment, human rights, diversity and solidarity. Our Club history is more than dates. It is friendships, inspiring discussions, meaningful encounters and impactful projects. For 50 years, we have followed our guiding principle: raise awareness, take responsibility, make a difference. We promote women and girls, support education, and engage in local and international projects. We also focus on issues such as access to clean water and the impact of crises on women and children.”
Prof. em. Dr. Annette Zimmer from the University of Muenster was the keynote speaker – who delivered a thoughtful presentation called “Having a Voice – Having a Vote – Driving Change. Women in Civil Society.”
Helen Byrne (see photo above) spoke on behalf of the St Albans & District Club’s valued Friendship Link with Muenster which has grown stronger since it was started more than 20 years ago.
The program also included some delightful classical music.
The photograph below is of all of the SI St Albans group in the historic town hall main assembly room.
After the ceremony in the town hall we had the opportunity to join Sylvia Vornhecke’s husband Axel on walking tour of Muenster in English. We started with some welcome cold beers in the bar next to the Town Hall. The heat meant that the tour was fairly short giving everyone time to rest before the gala event that evening.
Saturday’s Gala evening was at an amazing venue – the “A2 am See” which means A2 “by the lake”. There was a champagne reception at 6pm in the Skybar – which is on the roof of the building with wonderful views across the lake.
SI Muenster Club President Kathi Schepers gave a welcome speech which can be read in full on pages 11 of this translation: Muenster – 50 Years SI Club Münster, programme 27.6.2026, english she ended by saying something that resonated with everyone: “Today we are proud of what this club has achieved over the past five decades. Not loudly. Not spectacularly. But consistently, reliably and wholeheartedly. For the future, I hope we remain curious, courageous and open to 
the challenges of our time. Because one thing has not changed in 50 years: Commitment matters. Community gives strength. And women who take responsibility can make a real difference.”
The full program is on p6 of the document Muenster – 50 Years SI Club Münster, programme 27.6.2026, english, it included dinner for more than 100 guests with music and entertainment and dancing at the end for those with stamina! The Club was also able to make a donation to their long-term project Cactus Junges Theater – you can read more about the charity on p4 of the 50th Anniversary Flyer Muenster Flyer 50 Jahre SI-Club Münster, english.
Sunday Outing for Friendship Links – on our final day we were treated to guided tour in English of the historic town of Warendorf which is about 18 miles from Münster. Many of the special buildings are part of the outdoor museum which really brings the history to life. We visited old half-timbered buildings, magnificent town houses, winding alleys as well as many listed buildings. After the guided tour we had a delicious lunch at the Porten traditional Westphalian restaurant – which stayed open especially for us. It was still very hot and after lunch we walked through the pretty market square and bought very welcome ice creams!
Our last stop was for hospitality at Soroptimist Marie Eva’s family summerhouse on Werse Island with a romantic garden surrounded by a moat. See the photo by the moat – this is one of the only photos with Sylvia Vornhecke, our Friendship Link co-ordinator at the front on the left. Sylvia helped us all immensely with making travel arrangements for the visit and translating everything into English for us – she is a star!
The final photo is of our hosts Marie Eva (l), President Kathi and Helen Byrne. Helen said a few words to thank everyone for their hard work in making the celebrations such a success and allowing us to join in. Their hospitality over the weekend had been really generous and Helen presented them with a small gift of thanks and a card. We had all had a wonderful weekend. building on our existing Soroptimist foundations and strengthening the bonds of friendship between our members.
Sylvia and her husband Axel are frequent visitors to the UK, and we hope they visit again soon, and bring some more Muenster Soroptimists with them to explore St Albans and the surrounding area with us and enable us to return their hospitality.