Women re-learning how to play, without guilt attached!
The laughter of old friends greeting each other could be heard all over as the women started to arrive on Friday evening.
There were several mother-daughter duos. There were a number of first time participants.
Old and young, enjoying each others company, playing and praying together.
Everyone was registered and name tagged on Friday evening.
Some very serious Scrabble players on Friday evening.
“The Call to Creative Living” was the topic for the 2008 MCBC Women’s Retreat at Camp Squeah, with an attendance of about 90 women that came to listen to Betty Spackman, Christian artist, teacher, author and curator. Betty enriched us with two wonderful presentations.
Betty Spackman - Guest Speaker
Saturday A.M. - “Art and the Christian Community”
We are called to be co-creators with the Creator. We are created in the image of the Creator and therefore, each of us has the responsibility to be creative, through which ever gift God has given us. Our biggest stumbling blocks, as Christians, are FEAR and the false belief of having to be modest. We should let the love of creativity overcome our fears and learn to enjoy our creative gifts. Spackman’s favourite quote is; “Fear is NOT a Factor”! “It does not matter what others say or think. If we know that God loves us, we will do what He has called us to do. No matter where or what!” says Betty.
Saturday morning discussion group!
Before the afternoon session began there was time to enjoy the wonderful fall weather. Go for a walk or simply sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.
"He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water." Psalm 23:2
Saturday P.M. - “Creative Work and Play”
We don’t feel safe to go out and play. (Being Creative) but when we do, we are rewarded with a feeling of well being and happiness.
She says that “Playing can be a difficult and dangerous leap of faith for many Christians who desire to “tell the truth” with their hearts/God given gifts and talents.”
“How sad that we seem to allow the gift of imagination only to children.” Spackman.
She says that art is very hard work, indeed, but the trick is not to lose your sense of wonder. The enemy will try to steal your gift but he can’t get at them if you have given then to God, the Creator. (1Cor. 1:26-28)
Besides having a great speaker for the Retreat, there were also a lot of other things provided for the ladies. Blessings Christian Marketplace had set up a few tables and made it easy for the women to purchase a book or two. 
Heidi Epp facilitated a great workshop called “Who is drawing on my canvas?” and everyone who participated in the workshop, came away having learned new things about themselves and each other.
A movie (The Pearl Diver) was presented on Saturday night and is now highly recommended by everyone that watched it.
In conclusion, the Sunday morning Worship Service, with sharing and singing, led us to a very moving Communion Celebration.
Grace Epp leading us into Communion time.
It was a wonderful weekend of making new friends and meeting old friends, again. A time to share our burdens and joys with each other. A time for Worship and renewal in MCBC’s “Place of Refuge”.
Camp Squeah Lodge
The little Chapel in Woods!
The colours at this time of year are majestic!
Simply breath taking!
Time to go home! To be continued next year!
God willing!
2 comments:
Thank you for a beautiful overview of the retreat! As a committee we appreciated the many positive comments we received about the weekend - especially that people are planning to come again next year and bring along friends! So - here is a plug to you - would you consider joinng the committee? We need at least 3 new committee members to be able to even begin to plan next year's retreat. Also - do you have some suggestions for topics and/or speakers? Who is Cindy Cavanaugh? Someone suggested her as a speaker but left no other information - not even her own name so we could follow up. Are you out there?
Hoping to see you all next year! Grace Epp
Wow, I missed the Women's Retreat, but seeing the pictures on the blog is great! It's nice to see some familiar faces, new faces and Camp Squeah. I love that place. Hopefully I'll go next year. Thanks for the pictures Trudy!
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