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!