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A Dessert Option

Posted by Debby on July 8, 2014

We recently served the pictured mini-bundt cakes at a women’s event. They were ordered from a company in our area called “Nothing Bundt Cakes” which I have no problem recommending, as they were delicious. However, you may not have that franchise nearby. But what I want to bring to your attention is the little containers these cakes came in and in which we served them. Having a prepackaged dessert like that turned out to be a blessing in more ways than one. First, it eliminated the need for paper plates (though we did have napkins), saving money. A bonus benefit was that it reduced the mess considerably, compared to serving slices of cake or cupcakes. But we found an unexpected benefit: The little containers made it easy for the ladies to take home any leftovers that they hadn’t finished! So many ladies pay for the event, but possibly don’t want to eat sweets or can’t finish it. This way, they can easily take home whatever is left to enjoy another day!

Posted in: Little Things Make a Big Difference!, Money-Saving Tips, News & Information, Resources

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Sweet Resource

Posted by Debby on July 1, 2014

This is a closeup of the little giveaway for our women’s event theme “Singing in the Rain.” It perfectly brought in the elements of an umbrella and “raindrops,” represented by the Hershey kisses. But note the stickers on he bottom of the kiss. Were you aware that there is a place where you can buy these personalized stickers at a reasonable price? We chose our theme verse to put on the bottom of the kisses. However, the products on this website could be used in so many ways to make a sweet giveaway for any women’s event. Check out www.ClassicCandyCovers.com.

Posted in: News & Information, Resources, Retreat Remembrances

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Using Pinterest

Posted by Debby on September 17, 2013

All the new social media options can be overwhelming and confusing–as well as time-consuming! However, I want to mention that Pinterest can be a creative resource for events and retreats. For those of you familiar with Pinterest, you know it to be a source of millions of recipes, as well as creative ideas culled from the web about every topic imaginable–crafts, children’s activities, fashion, landscaping, and home decorating, to name a few. But one way I have found it helpful (once you have jointed Pinterest) is to do a search of either your theme or just “retreats” or “women’s ministry” in general. Many women have created boards of ministry ideas, and some can contain very helpful ideas, easily adapted to your needs.

For example, we recently had a women’s event themed “From Lemons to Lemonade.” The theme scripture was Romans 8:28. I searched “lemons” on Pinterest, and found a wealth of decorating ideas, centerpiece ideas, graphics and recipes that were helpful.

Posted in: Decorations, Money-Saving Tips, News & Information, Resources, Retreat and Event Planning, Retreat Remembrances

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Event Planning and Networking

Posted by Debby on July 30, 2013

“Networking” is now a familiar business term, define as “engaging in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.” Networking is based on the question “How can I help?” instead of “What can I get?” Networking can bring people together for the purpose of filling gaps and bridging weaknesses to accomplish a goal.

As the vision for the retreat or event is shared with your ladies, those ladies may find that they themselves have in their possession the items that will help you carry out your vision. For instance, you want to make a remembrance out of a square tile, and one of your ladies just happens to have tiles leftover from a recent remodeling project. Or if your ladies can’t meet a specific need, they may have someone in their circle of friends that can meet specific needs. For instance, a pastor’s wife shared with me that they were planning a luncheon on a small church budget, and desired centerpieces for the tables. One of their women knew a florist who was willing to donate flowers for this purpose. Your ladies may have family members, friends, or business contacts outside of your church body who would gladly contribute to the event if they were approached. If you are in a do-it-yourself mode, networking may be a means to finding supplies/services free or at cost. A retreat or event planning meeting may be one way to network with a number of your ladies as you are in the planning stages of your event.

Networking is not just for the business world!

Posted in: Money-Saving Tips, News & Information, Resources, Retreat and Event Planning

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Guided Quiet Time

Posted by Debby on October 2, 2012

We always schedule a quiet time at our women’s retreats–a time for women to personally seek the Lord and hear from Him.

Of course, if it is scheduled during the ladies’ free time, it is hard to ensure that ladies won’t use that time napping or being distracted by activities at the venue or fellowship with friends. However, we can give them encouragement and guidance. This is in the form of a quiet time Bible study. This can be as simple as an assignment to read a passage and answer some specific questions–to a more involved, full-blown Bible study. The subject of the quiet time study is always related to the retreat theme. This study is incorporated into our retreat booklet, and time is blocked out on our retreat schedule for its completion. Ladies are encouraged to find a quiet place and spend time with the Lord doing this study.

Lately, we have tried something new. We schedule the quiet time after lunch, and everyone meets in the large meeting room together to complete their study. There is no talking during this time (besides a brief moment of group instruction, if needed). Being back in the meeting room encourages everyone to do the quiet time (without distraction), and also allows us to incorporate an interactive activity into the study (such as going up front to pick a Bible promise from a box).

Quiet time studies are available on our website under resources, free for download. Also, each of the books in our Retreat-in-a-Bag book series includes a theme-related quiet time study. Don’t neglect to incorporate a quiet time into your retreat!

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Ministry at the Retreat, Resources, Retreat and Event Planning

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