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Schedule a Quiet Time

Posted by Debby on May 30, 2012

By its very name, a retreat suggests a time to withdraw and a place of privacy or refuge. And yet, we can unwittingly make our retreats a very busy time, where a tight schedule of teaching sessions, skits, activities and workshops are sandwiched between meals. And while women love the activities and the change from their daily routines, we are doing them a disservice if we fail to schedule into our retreats a time to be quiet with the Lord.

Quiet time at a retreat can be scheduled like any other activity. This is time that women are encouraged to spend in the Word and with the Lord, apart from other distractions. Often, we give them guidance for their quiet time, so that those who are new to the concept have (at the very least) a Bible passage to read and reflect upon. An hour is not too long to set aside for quiet time at a retreat!

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Lessons Learned, Retreat and Event Planning, Starting Points in Retreat Planning

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“Mama Drama”

Posted by Debby on March 7, 2012

Moms with children at home are at the top of the list when it comes to NEEDING a retreat!! Those with infants are easily accommodated at your retreat. We ask moms not to bring babies that are 6 months old or older. Older babies needing to move around and talk and babble just don’t work at a retreat. Don’t let a more “free spirited” mom talk you into allowing her “very compliant” 9 month old to attend. It just doesn’t work and she will miss out on most of the retreat anyway.

To avoid distractions that can really undermine the flow of the retreat, consider making these options for those with babies:

Reserve a spot in the back of the room near the door for all moms with babies. This accommodates moms who may need to make a quick exit if the baby becomes fussy.
Let all moms with babies know that there is optional seating available outside the room where the mom could still listen to the speaker.

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Little Things Make a Big Difference!, Retreat and Event Planning

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Oops! The Speaker Went Over… (Part 2)

Posted by Debby on August 17, 2011

So, you are encountering some problems in your schedule. The retreat coordinator is well aware of the issue, and may be adjusting the schedule accordingly. But the attendees do not need to be aware that you are not right on schedule. All of us get antsy when we know things are not on schedule, when an event starts late or a speaker is going over their time allotment.

The original working schedule should have every event timed down to the minute, and those giving announcements, doing worship, giving a testimony or doing a book review should be made aware of exactly how much time is allotted to them. It doesn’t hurt to have a copy of that master schedule at the podium; timers can be useful, too.

However, the program given to general attendees should list only crucial times (when the session starts, lunch time, etc.). Everything else should just be an order of events. Those women who watch the time will have no idea when the speaker was supposed to start and end, eliminating any possible time-related stress on their part. Easy fix!

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Little Things Make a Big Difference!, Retreat and Event Planning

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Announcements

Posted by Debby on July 27, 2011

There are always announcements to be made at the beginning of a retreat. While many of your women may have heard these announcements repeated over the years, or they seem “obvious” and unnecessary to most, they are particularly important to “retreat rookies”–those who have never been to a retreat before. While there may be some adjustments or changes every year, the basic list remains the same. So we keep our list of announcements from year to year, to be adjusted as needed.

Here is a sampling some of our regular announcements:

Put your name and room number on your booklet;
Write your promise verse in your booklet;
Wear your name tags;
Any procedures or amenities specific to your retreat locations (i.e. where they can buy coffee or snacks, pool/spa, walking trails, fitness centers);
Don’t use the TV in your room–instead, allow this to truly be a “retreat” from worldly distractions;
Silence your phones;
Don’t make charges to your room (phone calls, room service); if you do, know that you will be asked to “settle up” before you leave the retreat;
Call attention to the contents of their retreat booklet or program (i.e. schedule, evening devotions, order forms, book lists, etc.);
Call attention to where the bathrooms are located, and note the scheduled breaks on your order of events;
Call attention to the hospitality table, if you have one;
If there is a problem, how should they deal with it? Introduce the authorized person (or persons) that the women should contact (coordinator, hotel liaison) for resolution of any issue.
Fire alarm procedures (for some reason, our retreats have been prone to having fire alarms in the late night!)

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Retreat and Event Planning

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Girls Just Want to be Pampered!

Posted by Debby on May 3, 2011

The planning of a men’s retreat seems so simple when compared to the planning of a women’s retreat. Plan a schedule, make sure there is plenty of food and a place to bed down, and voila! Instant men’s retreat! Of course, more goes into it…but, still, it can’t compare to the planning and preparation for a women’s retreat. But we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Ladies like all the frills and pampering! They like the decorations and the little extras–a mint on the pillow, little gifts, decorations–all those things add to the experience. For many women, this may be their big splurge of the year–the only time the really get away for a weekend void of family responsibilities. For many, it also represents a big monetary investment. So we want to give them the very best retreat, creating “green pastures” and “still waters” for their refreshment. And it is possible to make the women feel special and pampered while being on a budget.

Some churches have a budget that allows for pampering the women in style. That is luxury. As a small church with no budget for women’s ministry, all extras must be included in the price of the retreat. And because we want to keep the price of the retreat as low as possible, any little extras and pampering must be inexpensive as well. That’s okay. Your women will appreciate your efforts to bless them.

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Realities of Ministry, Retreat and Event Planning

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