Women's Ministry, Grace Presbyterian Church

Mission & Scriptural Support
Ministry Opportunities
1. Annual Fall Retreat
Ministry Contact
1. Tim Brieaddy

Women's Fall Retreat

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All women college age and up are encouraged to attend this year’s fall retreat. The cost of the retreat includes your room, 6 meals, speaker and all materials.

How to Register

To register turn in the registration form along with a check made out to Grace Presbyterian Church with women’s retreat in the memo line and place in the box on the women’s ministry table or turn into the church office. Registration is open to members, regular attenders, family and friends.

Scholarships

It is our desire to provide scholarship money for the retreat to all those requesting help. However, the number of requests has grown to such a degree that we are unable to provide for all those who express scholarship need. In order for this ministry to be good stewards of the money entrusted to us for this purpose by members of our church, we have provided the following guidelines for those considering their need for financial assistance. These guidelines are not meant to discourage those who have financial need but are meant to help you as you evaluate your need because in the past there has been confusion about the purpose of the scholarship money.

Is the retreat something you have a great desire to attend? Why?
Have you been planning and putting even small amounts of money aside on a regular basis? If not, is that something you will begin doing?
Are you asking for help because you could not go without assistance, or is it possible there are other non-essential areas where you could cut back? (This question is to help you evaluate priorities.)

If you need scholarship assistance, please call Kim Baum @ 996-1318. Your request is CONFIDENTIAL. The women's ministry committee considers it a blessing and joy to be able to provide assistance.

Babies at the Retreat

Nursing precrawlers can attend the retreat if necessary. Mothers need to supply a crib and sympathetic roommate.

Questions and Further Information

The retreat coordinator is Julie Underhill. Her phone number is 720-9775. Feel free to contact her if you have questions. There will be updated retreat information in the Sunday morning bulletin. Please join us for the retreat!

Retreat Planning

The annual women’s retreat is our biggest event and takes the most preparation. The Women's Ministry Team plans the retreat with direction and input from the Retreat Coordinator who is also a member of the team.

Retreat Leadership Team

The Retreat Coordinator secures the location and works out all details with the host concerning food, lodging, meeting rooms, deposits etc. In addition the Retreat Coordinator leads the team in coordinating the other elements of the retreat such as advertising, sign ups, worship team and hospitality committee.

The Retreat Treasurer may or may not be the same as the Retreat Coordinator but this person ensures that all monies are collected for the retreat and handles scholarship requests and distribution of scholarship money.

The Hospitality Committee consists of:

a snack table person, which is someone designated to handle refreshments while we are at the retreat. She shops for the necessary supplies ahead of time then arranges to bring them to the retreat as well as set them up at the retreat. The refreshments are then maintained for our large group meetings at the retreat.
The hospitality committee also consists of a group of "anonymous elves" that meet before the retreat to make all of the goodies/treats that are given to the women at the retreat. This committee also assembles whatever handouts and materials are needed at the retreat.

To become a part of the hospitality committee just let anyone on the Women’s Ministry Team know you are interested in being a part of it and they will let you know when the meetings are scheduled. You do not need to be a member of the Women’s Ministry Team to participate in the Hospitality Committee. You are free to be a part of the hospitality Committee as many years as you can (consecutive or not). You do not need to provide your own funds to participate, you can be reimbursed for materials purchased if necessary.

Other roles on the retreat include Worship Team Leader and Small Group Leaders.

Worship Team Leaders are responsible for leading the worship times at the retreat. This can include playing an instrument, singing or drama. The commitment is to plan, practice and lead worship at the retreat for this year. Worship team leaders do not have to be Women’s Ministry members. We ask that these leaders stay in communication with the Women’s Ministry Team as to their plans to ensure continuity with the speaker and other plans for the retreat’s schedule etc.
Small Group Leaders are needed when the speaker and Retreat Planning Team (i.e. Women's Ministry Team) determine that small groups will be a part of our retreat program. After prayerful consideration and using the same evaluation as with Bible Study leaders, the Women’s Ministry Team compiles a list of women to ask to be small group leaders at the retreat. The commitment is for this year only and involves facilitating a small group discussion during the small group time at the retreat.

We want our retreat experience to grow. If anyone has suggestions for expanding our retreat experience they can present their idea to anyone on the team and they can bring the input to a meeting or they can come to a meeting in person and present their idea. We are open to suggestions and will decide as a team how to use the input for future retreats.