I just wanted to report that the Women's Retreat was a great success! We had 74 women at the retreat, of diverse ages (from teenagers through nonagenarians). How often do any of us take the time to sit and meditate? We may take time out to pamper our physical bodies, but we just don't do that for our spirits. We remedied that this weekend!At registration, we donated toiletry or spa-related items for our local domestic abuse shelter.
Suzy Speas created opportunities for reflection and meditation and prayer within the general sessions held in the sanctuary, where the lights were dimmed and a fountain trickled serenely in the background. (I am sorry that I did not get good pictures of the general sessions; it was too dark).Her presentations were based on the idea of a cup, one that holds our lives with both their positives and negatives. We must make the decision to hold our cups, in a sense accepting ourselves. Then we must be willing to lift our glasses and share our lives with others. Finally, we must be willing to drink our cups, as Jesus drank the cup the Father gave him.
Suzy Speas created opportunities for reflection and meditation and prayer within the general sessions held in the sanctuary, where the lights were dimmed and a fountain trickled serenely in the background. (I am sorry that I did not get good pictures of the general sessions; it was too dark).Her presentations were based on the idea of a cup, one that holds our lives with both their positives and negatives. We must make the decision to hold our cups, in a sense accepting ourselves. Then we must be willing to lift our glasses and share our lives with others. Finally, we must be willing to drink our cups, as Jesus drank the cup the Father gave him.
Lest you think these sessions were too heavy, just imagine a group of women--from teenagers to young single women to mothers with young children to empty-nesters whose children have just flown to college to grandmothers, and even a great-grandmother or two--dancing in the aisles to a variety of music! There was also a lot of fun in the drawing of pampering doorprizes!
Our times of fellowship were truly special. On Friday night we enjoyed sub sandwiches and discussed light-hearted, spa-related topics at our tables, such as what we do when a bad hair day strikes. Bernice Blackwell, a 96-year-old charter member of St. Luke, confessed that her favorite nail polish shade would be the coral OPI shade "Where's the Party?"!
This is Miss Bernice with her daughter, Molly Williams.
Saturday's lunch over boxed meals from Saffron Catering (huge portions of delicious pasta, grilled chicken salad, fresh fruit and the best focaccia bread) provided the opportunity to bond with other women. A Walk 'n' Talk then allowed us to walk off that wonderful lunch and address some deeper topics; it was amazing to see how God had opened our hearts to one another!
Participants had preselected "preferred spa appointments" (breakout sessions) on topics such as Facials (how our attitudes shape our expressions)by Merri Scarborough, Face (Faith) Lifts by Trish Lunn, Weight Management (casting our cares on the Lord)by Joanne Merck, Manicures (making our hands beautiful for the Lord's work) by Alison Evans, and Pedicures (what makes for beautiful feet--Romans 10:15) by yours truly (You can see a basket of the goodies for our feet I put together below).
I heartily recommend a day or two at the spiritual spa! And now, back to the reality of everyday life; we need to figure out to take our spa with us!
Be sure to check back tomorrow for an interview with Nancy Twigg and a giveaway!
2 comments:
Sounds wonderful, Celly! I do pray that all who attended will continue to care for their spirit.
"Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false." (Psalm 24:3-4)
Your retreat sounds wonderful. I had actually just written down the idea of Spa for the Soul for an upcoming retreat for the ladies at our church and when I did a Google search I found your site! Would you mind if I used some of your ideas? They are awesome!!!
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