Chapel Hill UMC Women’s Retreat
Prothro Center, Lake Texoma
May 17 & 18, 2013
The Women’s Retreat was a blessing from God to the twelve women who attended. We learned together, played together, walked up and down and over the entire park area, and went to the water’s edge . . . where some waded around in the cool water.
We learned from Scripture (1 Peter, Chapters 1, 2, & 3 ) using a “reading” about Abraham and Sarah that we are the same women of the Bible that God showed us through His Word in the Bible. Using Abraham and Sarah, He gave us the pattern of marriage and set the course for manhood and womanhood roles, in addition to creating His nation, His chosen people.
Sarah is mentioned more times in Scripture than any other woman, even Mary the mother of Jesus. She is the first woman mentioned in Hebrews 11, what is often called “The Faith Hall of Fame”, and God uses her as an example for us to follow in 1 Peter 3:3-6, and we therefore wanted to find out what Sarah was like. Was she perfect? Did she ever make a poor decision? How was she like us? How can we be like her?
We learned to use Sarah as a model of how to be daughters and wives and to live in harmony with one another. “ . . . to live as servants of God, showing proper respect to everyone, to love the brotherhood of believers, and to fear God, as well as to honor the king.
We took long walks alone and in groups and listened to Rev. JoNell as we sat in the amphitheatre by the “cross at the water.”
We worked and played with arts and crafts, listened to Lynna play music, sang together and, of course, prayed together. Another activity we embraced at this Women’s Retreat is Journaling where we can record our deepest thoughts and desires to share with God.
The food we ate was prepared by two young men who learned their trade and are Chefs. If you missed this Retreat, ask the women who went on this Retreat about the delicious deserts served up for us. If you hear the truth, you will not want to miss next year!
Everyone learned a lot about themselves and each other. And we experienced the “blessings that our God gives whenever two or more come together in His presence!”
We were tired when we arrived home, in a wonderful way. Plus, we received an additional blessing: we look at each other in a new way. . . . as “Sisters in Christ.”
Blessings,
Sherry Vineyard
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