Hospitality Table 2010 – New and Improved!

In an effort to meet various needs that our ladies might have during the retreat, we have shared before about our hospitality table.  We always have feminine hygiene products and over-the-counter meds like Tylenol and Advil.  At our 2010 retreat, we included Aleve, Tums, Pepto-Bismol, eye drops and a antihistamine for allergies. We even had  some patches for muscle pain. Next year we will probably include Tylenol PM and cough drops.  We always stock extra toiletry items such as combs/brushes, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, emery boards and deodorant.  Something new this year, which was very popular, was mini-hairsprays. In addition, it is always nice to have a few office supplies such as pens and scissors on hand.

As you are well aware, it is impossible to please everyone with the temperature in a large room. This year, the table was stocked with several blankets/throws that could be borrowed, and they were very popular and always in use. I’m sure the throws would have been used no matter what time of the year that we held our retreat.  Also, had we not been in a hotel where they were provided, we would have had a hairdryer and curling iron available for borrowing.

As always, the most popular items on the table were goodies.  Mints, chocolates and hard candies are always popular, and are gone by the end of the retreat!

The Privilege – A Book Review

The Privilege (Lessons from the Heart of a Shepherdess) was written by Kay Smith, wife of Pastor Chuck Smith, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa.  This book was written specifically for women in ministry.  Kay Smith has a heart for pastors’ wives and women in leadership, and has ministered to them through pastors’ wives’ conferences over the years.  This books is a compilation of many of her teachings to women in ministry over the years.  If you ever had the opportunity to hear her share at one of these conferences, you will recognize many of the exhortations and encouragements shared in this book.

This is a very precious book, coming from someone who has spent years in the ministry.  She regards the ministry as a privilege, and says “I praise God that He would ever account me worthy of the privilege of touching lives and influencing people toward Him.” Yet, having been in the ministry over 50 years, she is very much aware of the difficulties encountered in the ministry.   She is brutally honest as she shares her trials and difficulties, her mistakes and victories in the ministry.   She describes this ministry as that of a “shepherdess,” one who has been asked to nurture and feed sheep.  But the sheep are often wayward, mean and hurtful, and don’t always appreciate our efforts.  We all have choices.  If you are in the ministry, either by your own choice, or by virtue of having married a man now called to the ministry, the question Kay asks is “What are you going to do with this ministry God has entrusted to you?”

Kay sums up the book by the following exhortations:  Love the Lord, love your husband, love your children and love the people.  As you would expect, she stresses your time with the Lord, in the Word and in prayer–important for all of us, but essential for women who are serving in the ministry.  She reminds us that while we may have positions of ministry in the church, we are first of all handmaidens of the Lord, and we shouldn’t question what God allows into our lives, whether that be detours, disappointment or difficult people.  We need balance and direction from the Lord, and we need to makes sure that our labor is in the Lord. She exhorts women in ministry through chapters on a teachable heart, brokenness, guidance and love.

While most of Kay’s personal examples are geared toward pastors’ wives, we can all relate to her responses.  She is very honest about her struggles in the flesh, and so encouraging as she relates how the Lord has ministered to her specifically in each circumstance.

I would recommend this book to any woman who is serving in ministry, whether or not your husband is in the ministry.  The issues she brings up are issues that we all face.  She will inspire you to walk in love and talk in love and live in a way that the ones God has entrusted to you know His love from your life.  She is convinced that the most meaningful way to live your life is in dedicated service to the Lord, and living a life that counts for eternity.  She convinces her readers of that also!

2010 Retreat Name Tag

As we have already discussed here, there are many different options for name tags.  Because our theme was “Every Good and Perfect Gift,” we chose to have our name tags in the shape of a gift.   Printing the name tags is one of those last minute tasks, as it obviously can’t be done until registration has closed and we have a final list of attendees.  This year we again chose to use lanyards.  Because of the name tag’s irregular shape, we couldn’t just slip them into a badge holder.  Laminating was necessary so that the name tag wouldn’t easily rip off the lanyard.  So we had to have volunteers ready to laminate, cut out and hole-punch each name tag.

Normally, we give each attendee their own individual promise scripture.  This year, the promise scriptures were printed on small labels and affixed to the back of each attendee’s nametag.