In the spring of 2009 the women of Living Hope, an AFLC Church in a suburb of Minneapolis, MN, held a 24 hour Women’s Retreat. Many young women with busy households attended, precisely because of the limited time schedule. Lasting only 24 hours, beginning on a Friday night and closing on Saturday night, the women were able to be home on Sunday morning to attend church with their families.
From the beginning, the 3 member planning team involved about 10 other women by delegating the responsibilities of decorating, supper set up, small group leaders, worship, and advertizing. In this way there were close to 15 women who felt ownership for the event, virtually assuring their attendance.
The theme of the retreat was LOVING WELL, a Beth Moore Retreat In A Box – Liveway.com. Everything needed for planning the retreat was supplied in a box.
As well as large group events, the 30 – 35 women were divided into 4 small groups where time was spent in ice breakers, games, and Bible studies. One of the aims was for each women to get to know a few women – and to get to know them well. Says one of the planners, “It was rewarding to see women come and relationships made, tears, raw emotion, sharing in depth in small groups.” A truth that was explored is that a person “can’t love well until they know they’re loved by our Heavenly Father. He asks us to love all those He puts on our path – even the testy – the hard or easy to love women.” The retreat planning team wanted to be sure that all who attended felt loved, that people meshed, and that new friendships were formed. Each woman who came was given a special soft drink “Izzy”, some chocolate, a bookmark, and a personal journal that was a follow-up study to the event.
The retreat was held in a rustic retreat center – one way of helping us keep the cost down. We charged $50 - $60 per person, with the option of paying $25.00 extra for a high rope course, team building event.
What did the women like about the retreat? That it was close by home – not much travel time, the content was solid and dynamic, it was not superficial but got right to the tough subjects, it was fun, goofy games, good food, life transforming.
Questions about the Retreat in a box? Contact Julie Monseth 763-497-0653 or Naomi Halvorson 612-267-5757.
