Retreat Weekend - 2012

Soooo.... 4 weeks have passed since our annual Women's Retreat at Camp Squeah and I think that we have almost recuperated! :-)

Even though planning a weekend retreat DOES take some work it is also a whole lot of fun!

Strangely though, this year our committee came up against a number of obstacles that made us question why exactly was this happening. You can read a bit more about our struggles HERE! 

In any case, the retreat has come and gone and WOW ! ! ! did we ever have a wonderful time! 

WARNING ..... this is a long post with LOTS of pictures! So sit back and enjoy! ! 

FRIDAY Evening

We started out thinking about putting on a "Princess Weekend" which became a weekend about self-image and being created in the image of God. We ended up naming our weekend...

"Simply Majestic"      

 based on Psalm 139
  

We used the 2011 Mennonite Women Canada Bible Study Guide (BSG) "Wonderfully Made" as part of our weekend resources and it turned out to be great idea.                                                                                                                      

All the weekend participants, 106 women received a copy of the BSG in their goody bags. 

We also used the suggested visuals described in the BSG as our stage decorations; it sure made our work a whole lot easier. 

These are a few of the visuals mentioned in the BSG.

Something else we have been doing over the last few years is to have a "Weekend Service Project" which has been a rather successful additions to our weekend but we were also working at figuring out how to connect the service project to Mennonite Women Canada projects and being able to contribute to the work that they do. We had many conversations about how to do this and finally, this year, God gave us a new vision.

We prepared 5 pretty baskets and provided tickets that the women could buy in hopes of winning one of the baskets. 

WOW! ! !

This turned out to be so much fun and we raised a good chunk of money for the "Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund". The link will also provide you with the application form. 

Mennonite Women Canada (MW Canada) encourages women to consider using their gifts and talents in various ministries of the church. Our Spiritual Growth Assistance Fund (SGAF) is available to assist with costs of academic and applied study. Applicants will be considered for funding study at the Master’s level in church related ministries (such as seminary, theology, peace and conflict resolution). All members of a congregation belonging to Mennonite Church Canada are eligible to apply. Funding may be granted for part of the tuition (payable to the institution) at the discretion of the executive of MW Canada. Financial need will also be taken into consideration. First time applicants are given priority, but applications for continuing support will also be considered.

Our pretty baskets!

Each basket had a specific theme;  a book basket, a beauty basket, a craft basket, a coffee and chocolate basket and one with all sorts of stuff but it followed our weekend theme colour and therefore it was a purple basket.

Above is the poster that advertised the baskets! 

Cheryl Dyck (Women's Ministry Committee member) - ready to welcome our
guests and appropriately dressed in our weekend theme colour.

Finishing touches around the book tables.
The women love  to  leisurely browse through all the wonderful
books that House of James provides each year. 

Friends and fellow retreat planners!
On the left is Cynthia Williams and on the right is Gloria Laurence.

Checking out all the "bling" on the swap tables!  

Friday night visiting!

The "Sparkle Swap" was fun, fun, fun! 
Everyone had been invited to bring something that sparkled. They in turn received a ticket per item brought that could later be swapped for something they liked on the table.

SATURDAY

Cynthia talking about eating disorders!

Considering our theme on Self-Image we also educated the women about unhealthy eating habits. It was not just about being pretty on the outside! You can read the article HERE!

After having a light breakfast and a short break we started get ready for the morning session with our speaker Jackie Ayer. To introduce our weekend theme we had something very specific planned.

Our guest speaker - Jackie Ayer

On the left Cynthia giving instructions about how to proceed with the "Cardboard" testimonies!

The following two pictures speak for themselves.

This presentation had quite an impact and it was accompanied by a wonderful song that the Worship Team taught us. It became our weekend theme song. 
                                                    You can listen to it right HERE.

Singing - "Remind Me Who I Am" - by Jason Gray
The song stayed with me for days and days after 
the retreat weekend. :-)

Lining up for brunch!

See all the goodies on the swap tables? 

Even some sparkly clothes! 

For the Saturday afternoon we had a "High Tea" planned for all the ladies. 

We had asked the women to bring along a few things: a pretty teacup and maybe an appropriate outfit for such a fine occasion. 

Apparently everyone had all read the instructions on the registration form. :-) 

Preparing decorations for the afternoon High Tea.

All dressed up for our High Tea party.

The 2012 Retreat Planning Committee and our guest speaker.

l-r: front row: Jackie Ayer, Rita Siebert and Cheryl Dyck

Back row: Gloria Laurence, Cynthia Williams and Waltrude Gortzen

This is our annual group shot! 

Here are just a few samples of the many beautiful
teacups the women brought along. 

Rita educating us about the history
behind the origins and etiquette
of the High Tea rituals.

Now for the "show stopper" --- our most beautifully set "High Tea" table!

Just take a look at the pictures below. Aren't they amazing? 

Thank you to Chef Hiro Takeda for planning and preparing the most delicious goodies for the ladies and to Natasha Stasia Neufeld for the gorgeous fall table decorations. 

We felt so pampered and spoiled! 

Beautifully set table!

Pine cones and fall leaves! 

Are you drooling yet?

3 different kinds of sandwiches on  and an assortment of sweet treats and strawberries with Devonshire Cream.

Isn't it beautiful?

Ohhh... and did I mention that we were the first group to use the nice new dishes that you see stacked on the table? 

See, I keep telling you we were being spoiled! 

A few of our friendly kitchen staff and on the right is
Chef  Hiro Takeda!

Friends - new and old - enjoying the delicious goodies! 

Our beautiful Hmong sisters who join us every year since becoming part of Mennonite Church BC.

Had to take a front and back picture because we just didn't want to miss anything on these beautiful traditional garments.

Choices, choices! - The "Sparkle Swap" is in full swing. 
One last look and a decision has to be made! :-)

Then, continuing along with our weekend theme about Self-Image it is just natural to talk about clothes and what is in style these days. For that purpose we called on a wardrobe and fashion consultant by the name of Jamie Gleitman from STYLE remedy. You can read more HERE.

Jamie Gleitman is on the right.
The other two ladies are friends she brought with her.

SUNDAY

In the morning we enjoyed a yummy breakfast after which some women still went for a short  walk. At 10:00 o'clock we proceeded  with our morning worship service. 
Jackie Ayer concluded her weekend presentations, singing and an open sharing time followed.

It was a wonderfully refreshing, inspiring and enriching weekend of looking at ourselves.

We were reminded that we are all God's Princesses created in His image.

We shared lunch together and said farewell to each other but not before singing our weekend theme song one last time.

What a blessed weekend it was --- ohhh and did I mention that it rained most of the weekend?

We hardly noticed! :-)

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Told you it was a long post! Hope you enjoyed it! Until next time! 

Mennonites Everywhere!

The following was written by Mennonite Women Canada president Liz Koop.

We had hoped to announce this at the 60th Anniversary Celebration but our program was already so full. 

Now it gives us something special to write about on our blogs. :-)

Liz writes....

Have you seen or heard about this series of short videos created by Mennonite Church Canada?

If not you might want to check them out. 

* Nick Spalling, an NHL hockey player, is featured in the first video at www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1.    

The second video features Zahara Kwaje Ali, from South Sudan and a member at Peace Mennonite Church in Regina, SK shares her story at www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/2. 

(Sorry, I couldn't find a picture! Waltrude)

These videos, which are intended to dispel stereotypes of who Mennonites are and to tell a story along the way, are funded by above budget donations and Mennonite Women Canada has been approached and asked if we would contribute towards the next video which is in the works. 

The third video will feature a third generation Congolese Mennonite woman, Odette Mkole who has been living, studying and working in Winnipeg for the past few years.  Odette’s great-grandfather was a Mennonite – a fact that surprises a lot of people she meets.  She has an amazing story to tell! 

As an executive, we felt this would be a great project to support and are now asking for you to consider giving towards it.  We are asking for individual donations as well as donations from your women’s group or church, but request that this be above your regular giving.  We hope to raise most of the money needed by the end of the year.  Please consider supporting this worthwhile project.  Designated donations can be made on-line at Opportunities for Giving or by contacting Mennonite Women Canada  treasurer Lois Mierau at glmierau@yourlink.ca    

****************

MCBC Ladies - ff you or your group are willing to host a fundraiser for this project, please contact me - Waltrude Gortzen. Thanks so much!

Mennonite Women Canada - 60th Anniversary

                                                                                                                       

Well...... the BIG celebration has come and gone for Mennonite Women Canada.

It turned out to be a great event of worshiping, eating and fellowship with women from across our great country and even an unexpected guest from Brazil.

We were about 130 women. 

You can read more about it here

Let Justice Roll Down

Happy to report that the Mennonite Women Canada 2012 Bible Study Guides arrived today. 
If you or your group enjoy this resource please let me know. I have 20 copies at $10.00 each.
You can also order it HERE 

Below is a short introduction.

"In the prophetic books of the Bible, we hear a steady drumbeat: return to God’s ways, remember who you are, seek justice. The calls are persistent, and include harsh words of coming judgment. Amos, whose name means "burden bearer," carried a message of warning to the Israelite people.

Let Justice Roll Down, commissioned by Mennonite Women Canada and Mennonite Women USA, is recommended for women’s gatherings, Sunday school classes, retreats, or individual reading and inspiration. Twelve sessions examine the book of Amos, with topics that include the prophetic voice, the church’s witness in the world, consumption and generosity, and the relationship between worship and justice."

First come - first served ! ! !
For more info click on the "Resources" tab on the tool bar above.

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

TODAY is your last chance to get your ticket for the BIG EVENT! 


So don't you waste any time! ! ! 
Especially if you want to find out what's in this bag! 

No peeking! 

Mennonite Women Canada 

60th Anniversary Celebration on 

Saturday, July 14th in Vancouver.
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

7551 Westminster Highway

Richmond, BC

You can still get your ticket today June 15th, so hurry and get your ticket right HERE.

And.... you do not have to be a delegate to attend our celebration but you do need to have a ticket.... $25.00 per person!

FYI -- there will be more surprises at our celebration, but don`t tell anyone that I let the cat out of the proverbial bag. hehehe     Shhhhh!!!

Inspirational Day - May 5, 2012

Ready and waiting! 

The day started out sunny but cool. 

Worship Team.

The worship team was practicing, the kitchen was busy, the displays were set up. 


The registration desk was ready and waiting, waiting, waiting.....

...and then... 
shortly before 10:00 am the ladies started to arrive and line up. 

Greeting old and new friends with hugs, chatter and laughter. It was obvious, they were happy and excited to see each other again.

Amanda Hickey - MC.

The program started promptly at 10:30 am with a warm welcome from our hosting church, Bethel Mennonite Church in Langley. 

This was followed with Scripture reading and singing. The sound of a church full of women singing always gives me goosebumps. I love it! 

A candle in memory of each loved one.

Singers Deana Ganger & Judy Nash.

As every year, we have a time to remember our dear departed sisters. This year we did that by observing a moment of silence followed by the lighting of the candles accompanied by special music.

Then we listened to 3 testimonies from residents of Campbell River House of Hope - Wagner Hills Farm. It is a Christian healing community that offers residential care and counseling for women in need of healing from brokenness and addictive life styles. House of Hope is a licensed 14 bed facility. It is not too far from Bethel M. Church and the congregation is actively involved in their ministry.  The hosting women chose it to be the recipient of 1/4 of the offering from this day.

Anna speaking about House of Hope.

The other quarter was designated to go to the Samuelito Day Care Centre in Bolivia. This project is supported through Mennonite Women Canada who partners with Mennonite Church Canada, Bolivian Mennonite Church and Mennonite Central Committee and the remainder, as in the past several years, goes to Camp Squeah kitchen needs. 

Of course, a little bit of business is always part of our gathering. One important little tidbit that needed to be announced is the fact that we do not have a hosting church for 2013 at this time. Other than that everything else was quickly dealt with and then we proceeded to enjoy the lunch that our hostesses had lovingly prepared for everyone.

When it was time to once again assemble in the sanctuary it seemed like the ladies had not quite finished visiting. :-)

The afternoon program started with a bit more singing and then we enjoyed the presentation by our guest speaker - Eden Jersak - author and teacher and pastor of Fresh Winds Christian Fellowship in Abbotsford, BC. She spoke about deep and all fulfilling JOY. Not happiness, which is fleeting, but the kind of JOY that is with you even in the most difficult situation. An all embracing JOY. She based her presentation on Isaiah 61.

Eden Jersak 

When Eden was done only two more thing were left on the agenda,  inviting all the ladies to this year`s fall retreat and have another cup of coffee to go with some more visiting.


When all was said and done, about 140 women were blessed with a wonderful day, this included everyone that was part of the program or helped in the kitchen.
In total 15 MCBC congregations were represented and 2 visiting churches.
Our collection was almost $4,000.00, give or take a few $$$.

Because we had to retract the invitation to th 2013 Inspirational Day for next year we now  a few churches thinking about hosting the event. This could mean that we just might have a church for the next 2 or 3 years. Bonus! Will keep you posted as things develop.

Finally, we have been searching, high and low, for our 3^rd Women’s Ministry Committee member and 2 days after the Inspirational Day that also fell into place.

We thank Rita Siebert from Sherbrooke M. Church for volunteering to join the fun!
It was a great day! God blessed us all!