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Why Workshops?

Posted by Debby on September 1, 2015

I did a recent survey of our women, asking what elements of a retreat were most important to them. One of the surprises in the results was that a number of the women listed “workshops” in their top five answers. One woman commented on this. She said that she likes being able to select a topic, and “hit some areas of my spiritual walk that I need to work on.”

We don’t always have workshops. In fact, this year we have chosen to omit them, because we are having to fit a fourth Saturday session into the retreat schedule because our guest speaker has to leave early. Including workshops would take away from the little free time we do have, and that free time crucial to our ladies.

However, we most often do provide workshops of some kind. Some years we just have a special break-out workshop (separating married women, single women and teens). One year we centered on God’s Word (Bible survey, studying techniques, having devotions, memorizing scripture). Other ideas would include: mothers of preschoolers/elementary age/teens, dealing with emotions (anger, guilt, fear, etc.), prayer, friendship…the list is endless. Personally, I especially enjoy a workshop that has a panel discussions so you get a variety of perspectives on the topic.

One note about workshops: If you anticipate one being better attended than others (for instance, “married women”), we holdthat workshop in the main teaching area. To avoid having too many people in one workshop, you can have women choose a workshop and then close the workshop when you reach the maximum number that your room can hold.

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Ministry at the Retreat, News & Information, Retreat and Event Planning

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Ways to Let Your Women Know that You Care

Posted by Debby on May 5, 2015

They say “the squeaky wheel gets the grease;” there are those women who demand our attention, and we can’t help but give it to them. But how about those women who do not “demand” our time and attention? We can’t assume that they don’t have pressing needs as well. We need to find ways to show all of our women that we care for them.

Sometimes it is easy to get so involved in the group “women’s ministry” that we neglect the women’s ministry on a personal level. Here are a few suggestions:

1. In my opinion, the hand-written note really can’t be replaced. Even though we are living in the social media/email generation, there is still a place for the note that arrives by snail-mail. Just an encouraging verse or a simple “I missed you last week” shows that your care. What better use of fifty cents?

2. Just because I’m partial to the hand-written note doesn’t mean that a quick phone call, text or email isn’t meaningful.

3. Keep their prayer requests close to your heart, and follow up with them.

4. Take time to really listen. If this is hard, as it can be during a group meeting, pull them away privately after the session.

5. Be liberal with your hugs. A loving touch can go a long way to express your love.

Posted in: Lessons Learned, Little Things Make a Big Difference!, Ministry at the Retreat, News & Information

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The Importance of Reflection, Part 2

Posted by Debby on April 7, 2015

Two weeks ago I mentioned that we schedule times of personal reflection during our retreat. But, in addition, we have a time at the very end of the retreat that we call “Reflections.” This is a time where we have the women consider what they have written down–how the Lord has spoken to their heart throughout the retreat. It could be something directly from the teachings, but often God speaks personally to the women through quiet times, through prayer times, through promise scriptures, through worship and through communion. We use this last hour of the retreat to give our women time to share with the whole group what God is doing in their lives, and how He has spoken to them. This is a time to share what God has done. I believe that sharing it both solidifies the truth for the one sharing, but it also ministers to the group as they hear how God has worked so individually in their friends’ lives.

Of course, because we women like to talk, time to share has to be limited to two or three minutes so that no one woman monopolizes the time. It has always been a blessing to hear how God has spoken so individually and meaningfully to those who choose to share.

Posted in: Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Lessons Learned, Ministry at the Retreat, News & Information, Retreat and Event Planning

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Preparing the Pray-ers

Posted by Debby on April 15, 2014

We have scheduled times where women can ask for prayer at every retreat. This gives women a time to respond to what the Lord is doing in their lives, and we also want to support them in prayer for overwhelming personal situations. Sometimes we have prayer circles set up after an evening session where a woman can go to a prayer circle to request prayer. Other times we have had rooms where women are encouraged to go for prayer. We carefully select women who are mature spiritually to be available for prayer. If other churches are joining us, we ask them to have a prayer team available, so that if their women want prayer, they can go to someone familiar if they so desire.

These women are then required to attend a meeting, normally during free time during the retreat, where we review guidelines for those willing to serve in this area. At this meeting we assign prayer partners, pray together and cover a few important reminders.

Here are a few of the things that the meeting covers:

The schedule – when and where they will be praying
Prayer partners assigned – we always have two women in the prayer circle
Confidentiality
Issues of abuse (i.e. should a teenager ask for prayer about abuse that they are experiencing, you are legally required to report it)
Be prepared to share the gospel should the opportunity present itself
Gently cut off lengthy and emotional explanations; the entire situation does not need to be understood in order for you to pray. Help the women focus on their specific request for prayer by saying “How do you want us to pray for you?”
Use of breath mints :-)
Reminder: They are there to pray, and not to be counselors. If their need requires counsel or professional help, pray-ers should encourage those women to set up an appointment with their pastor when they get home.

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Ingredients for a Great Retreat, Ministry at the Retreat, News & Information, Retreat and Event Planning

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On the Outside, Looking In

Posted by Debby on April 1, 2014

There are lyrics that refer to “being on the outside, looking in.” That phrase strikes a chord with many of us, because it expresses a feeling we have all experienced at one time or another–the feeling of being alienated from those with whom we long to be involved. It feels like there is a barrier that can not be crossed…something that keeps us from “belonging.”

At a women’s retreat, there are those who come, looking forward to a girls’ weekend away with their friends. They have a “group” and feel like they “belong.” But we all need to be alert and aware of those women who bravely come to a women’s retreat or show up at a women’s event not knowing anyone as more than an acquaintance. They hang around the outskirts of groups, hoping to be included.

I have seen it many times, and have even experienced it…being acknowledged, but feeling that I don’t truly belong. I have also experienced being a part of the group, and not really wanting anyone else to be included that would interfere with intimate fellowship that we have developed.

So, what is the answer? Is an “outsider” doomed to remain an outsider, while the “insiders” grow in intimate fellowship together? How can we create an inclusive atmosphere in our women’s events? We’ll probe this issue again in the next few months. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Posted in: Ministry at the Retreat, News & Information

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