Women’s Ministry 2021 Retreat

                       

 Women’s Ministry 2021 Retreat 

November 5th, 2021 began my first women’s retreat with our church which was held at Cragun’s Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota and I am already looking forward to next year. The theme was “come to the well” and by the time we left our cups were overflowing with fellowship and genuine love for our savior. 

This retreat was more than an opportunity to relax and leave our cares behind for the weekend. Our speaker was Dr. Heather Thompson Day, who is an interdenominational speaker and author of 7 books. She is an Associate Professor of Communications at Andrews University and is passionate about our youth and their future. 

As the headline suggests, our topic of focus was Jesus and His meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well and how Jesus interacted with her before disclosing His identity as the Messiah the world had been waiting for. 

                                              

The Activities

There were 4 scheduled main meetings over the weekend, which began at 6 p.m. Friday until 9:30 with Saturday as the busiest day, beginning with breakfast at 8 a.m. including activities and separate breakout sessions in various locations:

1. Financial Literacy. Is it faithless to save our money and is it wrong to have wealth?
2. Sabbath: A Weekly Celebration. How do you look at Sabbath?
3. Domestic Violence. What it is and how to get help
4. Chocolate Brussel Sprouts. An interactive workshop on the ingredients of Christian friendship.
5. Depression. What it is and what causes it
6. Experience God in your Bible study

You are free to choose which sessions you wish to attend but the main meetings we are expected to attend in order to receive the full benefit of the retreat. 

I enjoyed a horse-drawn trolley ride and strolling around the grounds with my camera. The sunset/sunrise was beautiful over Gull Lake. The area is pristine and relaxing with abundant fresh air.

The Amenities

We were free to use the facilities, including the sauna, pool, gym, and whirlpool. Each room had a coffee pot, microwave, and refrigerator for your convenience, but the comfiest beds were the real treat! 

This experience was refreshing and renewing in many ways. Being able to leave worldly troubles behind to fellowship with sisters from other cultures was pleasing to all and showed that diversity does not separate us but can bring us together in harmony when we share a common ground.

The Takeaway

The great takeaway from this retreat was the amount of respect and genuine caring for one another that was shown throughout the entire weekend. If everyone could see the atmosphere and kind interaction between all present, perhaps it would rub off on others and spread throughout our communities, making the world a better place to live in. 

Each year a similar retreat is held for the men as well. I feel everyone would benefit from attending one of these events, to relax and share…to learn how to communicate with others in a pleasing manner that reflects the personality of one greater than us.