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2019 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

Finding Yourself Worthy ~ April 12-14
Featured Speaker: Melanie Springer Mock, George Fox University


Melanie Springer Mock is a professor of English at George Fox University, Newberg, Ore. In 2009, she received the university’s Undergraduate Teacher of the Year award; and in 2015, she was awarded George Fox University’s Undergraduate Researcher of the Year. She is the author or co-author of five books, including most recently Worthy: Finding Yourself in a World Expecting Someone Else (Herald Press, 2018). Melanie lives in Dundee, Ore., with her husband Ron and two teenage sons; she is also a stepmother to two adults, and grandmother to two boys. In her spare time, Melanie likes running, swimming, reading, and watching reality television.

2018 Mennonite Women’s Retreat
Cultivating Gratitude
April 13-15
Featured Speaker: Megan Ramer, Seattle Mennonite Church

They will be known as trees of integrity, planted by God to display God’s glory.”


As springtime buds appear, we are invited to tend the growth of our spirits. How can we cultivate gratitude? Living a Life of Gratitude: The praises and petitions of our lives rise and fall with the tides of “good” news and “bad” news. How do we anchor the highs and bolster the lows in order to find a steadiness of gratitude in our lives with God, neighbor, and self? We will explore: gratitude abundant, gratitude grounded, gratitude wrestled, and gratitude begotten.

Megan joined the ministry team of Seattle Mennonite Church as Lead Pastor in 2015, after a decade of pastoral ministry in Chicago. She is a graduate of Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO and Goshen College before that, as well as an alum of the Intermenno Trainee Program in Germany and Switzerland. Somewhere in there, Megan made her home in Seattle for a few glorious years of exploring all that the city and surrounding gorgeous landscape have to offer. She is excited to be back in the Pacific Northwest and to have joined the exceptional SMC pastoral team. Reading and hiking are some of her favorite restorative activities. She also enjoys making baby quilts, going to concerts, frequenting the theatre to see her actor husband, Jon Stutzman, perform, and going on traveling adventures both large and small.

Worship, fellowship & activities: Gather each morning for singing, prayer & reflection in group sessions. Then plan your own time…. Breathe in fresh mountain air; walk with a friend or enjoy the solitude. There will be opportunities to practice yoga & quiet space for those who crave time alone. Get creative with Open Studio in the craft room or join the knitting circle; participate in a book discussion* or catch up with friends, all while enjoying delicious meals and a bit of pampering.

*2018 Discussion book: My Grandfather’s Blessing:  Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging   by Rachel Naomi Remen

Take in the natural wonder of DCC’s beautiful surroundings: Breathe in the fresh mountain air. Walk with a friend or dedicate time alone for prayer and quiet meditation.

Bring along a knitting project that you’ve been wanting to make time for… Don’t know how to knit and want to learn? Join a knitting circle and learn the basics or new techniques. There will also be a comforter to tie for MCC!

Get moving! Space will be set aside for contemplative yoga.

Open Studio… Take advantage of ample workspace, an abundant supply of paper, adhesives and assorted ephemera to express yourself in new and creative ways!

 

Schedule:
Friday, April 13:
Plan to arrive as early as 5pm, A light supper will be served and kept hot for guests arriving later.
Saturday, April 14:
Morning worship will be followed by your choice of activities and free-time. An all-group activity will take place Saturday evening.
Sunday, April 15:
Group study and worship followed by Glen’s delicious cinnamon rolls & brunch will conclude the weekend.

2017 Mennonite Women’s Retreat
Springtime for the Soul
April 21 – 23
Featured Speaker: Marlene Kropf

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love.” Psalm 90:14

$99 Registration due by April 15.

online registration form

As springtime buds appear, we are invited to tend the growth of our spirits. How can we experience the beauty and peace of a rich daily life with God? What spiritual practices will sustain us through all seasons? Explore these questions with Marlene Kropf…

Marlene lives near the water in Port Townsend, Washington with her husband Stanley. She is a spiritual director, retreat leader, ordained Mennonite minister, writer, and theologian. Marlene is retired from teaching at the Anabaptist Mennonite Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, and from her role as Minister of Worship for Mennonite Church USA. Marlene and Stanley are parents of two adult children who live much too far away in Chicago and Pittsburgh. They enjoy sailing, singing in the community chorus and hosting guests.

Worship, fellowship & activities: Gather each morning for singing, prayer & reflection in group sessions. Then plan your own time…. Breathe in the fresh mountain air; walk with a friend or enjoy the solitude. There will be opportunities to practice yoga, led by Linda Dalke. A quiet space will be available for those who crave time alone. Get creative with Open Studio time in the craft room or join the knitting circle; participate in a book discussion* or catch up with friends, all while enjoying delicious meals and a bit of pampering.

*2017 Discussion book: An Altar in the World:  A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor

Take in the natural wonder of DCC’s beautiful surroundings: Breathe in the fresh mountain air. Walk with a friend or dedicate time alone for prayer and quiet mediation.

Bring along a knitting project that you’ve been wanting to make time for… Don’t know how to knit and want to learn? Join a knitting circle and learn the basics or new techniques.

Get moving! Space will be set aside for movement and stretching. We hope the weather will cooperate for hiking!

Spiritual Direction: A professional Spiritual Director will be available for individuals as well as in a group setting.

Open Studio… Take advantage of ample work space, an abundant supply of paper, adhesives and assorted ephemera to express yourself in new and creative ways! There will also be an opportunity to create terrariums with Jaqui Eicher.

Schedule:
Friday, April 21:
Plan to arrive as early as 5pm, A light supper will be served and kept hot for guests arriving later.
Saturday, April 22:
Morning worship will be followed by your choice of activities and free-time. An all-group activity will take place Saturday evening.
Sunday, April 23:
Group study and worship followed by Glen’s delicious cinnamon rolls & brunch will conclude the weekend.


 

2016 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

Seeking Sanctuary; April 8 – 10

Featured Speaker: Marlene Bogard

Scripture: “Thus says the Lord; Stand at the Crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies and find rest for your souls.”

Jeremiah 6:16


Marlene_BogardMarlene Bogard lives in Salem, Oregon and works as Executive Director of Mennonite Women USA. Prior to that she was in a ministry
and resourcing role for the Western District conference of MC USA in North Newton, Kansas for 25 years. She loves to be with people of all ages, tall trees and chocolate. She and her husband have two adult sons and an adorable grandson in Portland.

Worship, fellowship & activities: Gather each morning for singing, prayer & reflection in group sessions. Then plan your own time…. Breathe in the fresh mountain air; walk with a friend or enjoy the solitude. A quiet space will be available for those who crave time alone. Get creative with Open Studio time in the craft room or join the knitting circle; participate in a book discussion* or catch up with friends, all while enjoying delicious meals and a bit of pampering.

*2016 Discussion book: When Sparrows Fall by Diana Blackstone

Explore the natural wonder of DCC’s beautiful surroundings: Breathe in the fresh mountain air. Walk with a friend or dedicate time alone for prayer and quiet mediation.

Bring along a knitting project that you’ve been wanting to make time for… Don’t know how to knit and want to learn? Join a knitting circle and learn the basics or new techniques.

Get moving! Space will be set aside for movement and stretching. We hope the weather will cooperate for hiking!

Spiritual Direction: A professional Spiritual Director will be available for individuals as well as in a group setting.

Open Studio… Take advantage of ample work space, an abundant supply of paper, adhesives and assorted ephemera to express yourself in new and creative ways! There will also be an opportunity to create terrariums with Jaqui Eicher.

Schedule:
Friday, April 8:
Plan to arrive as early as 5pm, A light supper will be served and kept hot for guests arriving later.
Saturday, April 9:
Morning worship will be followed by your choice of activities and free-time. An all-group activity will take place Saturday evening.
Sunday, April 10:
Group study and worship followed by Glen’s delicious cinnamon rolls & brunch will conclude the weekend.


2015-MW-retreat-logo2015 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

Finding Grace in Transitions
April 10 – 12

Featured Speaker: Jennifer L. Gingerich

Scripture: “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you, Oh God.”  Psalm 42:1

 

Jennifer grew up attending Drift Creek as a camper. As a young adult she served on the summer camp staff and has given many volunteer hours over the years. Today she is a Clinical Chaplain at Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, OR where she ministers in the Maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care Units. She is an active member at Salem (OR) Mennonite Church. Jennifer graduated from Goshen College in 2002 with a degree in Bible, religion and philosophy, and Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in 2012 with a Master of Divinity degree concentrating in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family (especially her nieces and nephews), playing games, reading, knitting, singing, and listening to audio books.

Activities: Guests can choose to have an active weekend or to simply BE. Feel free to sleep in, sip on a cup of tea, dive into a book while warming by the fire, learn a new skill, spend time with your journal, chat with old friends or get to know new ones.

Worship and Fellowship: Gather each morning for singing, prayer, reflection and sharing. A quiet space will be available for those who crave time alone. Guests are also invited to explore the benefits of spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is a means to enhance spiritual formation in the life of the believer. In the classic sense a spiritual director is one who, as a representative of the church, walks with another as a mentor or guide to facilitate that person’s relationship (formation) with God; it is a voluntary relationship between an individual wanting to enhance his or her spiritual growth and a mature Christian who is able to serve as mentor.

Explore the natural wonder of DCC’s beautiful surroundings: Breathe in the fresh mountain air. Walk with a friend or dedicate time alone for prayer and quiet mediation.

Bring along a knitting project that you’ve been wanting to make time for… Don’t know how to knit and want to learn? Join a knitting circle and learn the basics or new techniques.

Get moving! Space will be set aside for movement and stretching. We hope the weather will cooperate for hiking!

Open Studio… Take advantage of ample work space, an abundant supply of paper, adhesives and assorted ephemera to express yourself in new and creative ways!

Like to read? Diana Blackstone-Helt will lead a discussion on: The Invisible Girls, A Memoir, Author, Sarah Thebarge. After battling breast cancer and getting dumped, Sarah moves across the country feeling lost and alone. She never guessed she’d find her way again through the chance meeting of a sleepy little girl on a city bus. (Book does contain strong language.)

Schedule:
Friday, April 10:
Plan to arrive as early as 5pm, A light supper will be served and kept hot for guests arriving later.
Saturday, April 11:
Morning worship will be followed by your choice of activities and free-time. An all-group activity will take place Saturday evening.
Sunday, April 12:
Group study and worship followed by Glen’s delicious cinnamon rolls & brunch will conclude the weekend.

2014 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

Amidst the chaos of life’s constant demands, the benefit of self-care… Turn off the phone, let go of nagging responsibilities for a bit. Invite a sister, a daughter, a mother, a friend… gather for music, worship and relaxation. Come, be renewed . Think of the weekend as a gift to yourself or to someone you love. Participants will find opportunities to grow in mind, body & spirit through group sessions, exploring DCC’s beautiful surroundings, taking time for meaningful conversations and pausing to be still and reflect. Delight in nourishing food, coffee treats and time set aside to connect with women of all ages, be quiet with God, and feed the spirit. You can choose how to spend your time so if a guilt-free nap is what you need, enjoy it!

INTEREST CENTERS: hiking; book discussion group led by Diana Blackstone-Helt on Sue Monk Kidd’s latest novel The Invetion of Wings; knitting, journaling, cooking, creating cards with vintage papers with Risa, stretching and bit of yoga…
Group sessions led by artist & quilt designer, Carol Honderich.

See this poster for more information.

Women’s Retreat Menu:

Friday Dinner:
Curried lentil soup (vegetarian option available)
Oatmeal bread (gluten free crackers)
Cheese slices & veggies
Apple wedges
Cookies
Saturday Breakfast:
Multi-grain pancakes (GF pancakes available)
Scrambled eggs (dairy-free eggs available)
Bacon slices
Fruit & OJ
Satuday Lunch:
Taco Salad (beef separate)
Buttermilk cornbread (GF Cornbread available)
Saturday Dinner:
Grilled Chicken (Veggie burgers)
Roasted Root Vegetables
Rolls or bread
Spinach and strawberry salad
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
Saturday Evening:
Popcorn
Sunday Brunch:
Breakfast Casserole
Cinnamon Rolls
Fresh Fruit & Orange Juice

2013 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

Consider the benefit of self-care in our fast-paced society. Turn off the phone, let go of nagging responsibilities for a bit. Invite a sister, a daughter, a mother, a friend… gather for music, worship and relaxation.  Come, be renewed .  Consider the weekend retreat as a gift to yourself or to someone you love.  There will be opportunities to grow in mind, body & spirit through group sessions, nature hikes, meaningful conversations and times of reflection. Fun will be had as guests invite others to share in activities that bring them joy. Delight in nourishing food, coffee treats and time set aside to connect with women of all ages, be quiet with God, and feed the spirit.

Gather in community to tackle an issue we all struggle with:  Perceptions of beauty!  Join in as Rose Marie Zook Barber leads discussion times and explores the lives of Eve, Bathsheba and Martha.

INTEREST CENTERS:

  • Hiking
  • Journaling
  • Knitting
  • Cooking demonstration (exactly what, to be determined!)
  • Paper play!
  • Explore the CALLANETICS EXERCISE METHOD with Cathie Jo! Callanetics are safe and non-impact, provide a balanced approach emphasizing stretching and neuromuscular coordination while also strengthening deep postural muscles. Callanetics provide deep muscle work – leaving you feeling stretched and relaxed! Bring a yoga mat!

2012 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

SCHEDULE…

FRIDAY:
6:30—evening meal (soup, bread, brownies) 7:30—interest center options:
Knitting Circle (Beginners meet with Sara, 7:30pm, continue to knit at your leisure throughout the weekend!
Ukranian Star folding with Urszula (7:30pm)
Paper play in craft room with Risa (8pm)
God’s gifts found locally! Slides (Nature Center 8pm)
9:00—get acquainted games with Linda & Lisa
SATURDAY:
8:00—breakfast (baked oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausage)
9:00—Gathering with Pat Hershberger (chapel) Morning interest centers:
Massages as scheduled with Hannah throughout the day
Journaling with Jaqui (chapel, 10 am)
Hike around Camp loop with Louise (front office, 10:30)
Making laundry soap with Anna (long tables, 11 am)
Book discussion:12:30 lunch (taco salad, cookies) Afternoon interest center options:
Soap Felting with Jaqui (craft room 2 pm)
Continued Paper play in afternoon in craft room
Making Borani spread with Brenda (kitchen, 4 pm)
Hike the Hillside Trail (meet at front office, 5:00)
6:30 dinner (pork, potatoes, salad, dinner rolls, key-lime dessert)
7:30 plan for 2013 retreat (we want to hear from you!)
8:00 story telling & talent show in chapel 11:00 lights out
SUNDAY:
7:00—early bird breakfast 9:00—Morning session with Pat
10:00—brunch (breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls, fruit)
11:00—clean-up and departure

2011 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

Consider the benefit of self-care in our fast-paced society. Turn off the phone, let go of nagging responsibilities for a bit. Invite a sister, a daughter, a mother, a friend… gather for music, worship and relaxation.  Come, be renewed .  Consider the weekend retreat as a gift to yourself or to someone you love.  There will be opportunities to grow in mind, body & spirit through group sessions, nature hikes, meaningful conversations and times of reflection. Fun will be had as guests invite others to share in activities that bring them joy. Delight in nourishing food, coffee treats and time set aside to connect with women of all ages, be quiet with God, and feed the spirit.
Gather in community to tackle an issue we all struggle with: the balance of time.  Join in as Charlene Epp leads discussion times and explores the lives of Mary and Martha and the way each woman chose to use her time. Charlene was born in SD, raised and baptized in the Northern District Conference of the Mennonite Church. Her family were farmers. She attended Freeman Jr. College in Freeman, SD and graduated from Bethel College, North Newton, KS with a BS in Elementary Education. She entered Mennonite Voluntary Service, living in Kansas City and Chicago during her service assignments as a teacher in several settings. It was in Chicago that she met Duncan Smith, also in MVS, and whom she married following the completion of their MVS terms. Two years later they relocated to Elkhart, IN for Duncan’s seminary training at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries (AMBS); towards the end of his schooling, she began seminary courses. They relocated to the Bronx, NY for Duncan’s first position as a solo pastor of a congregation: North Bronx Mennonite Church. She continued in the education field, serving as substitute teacher, then teaching in and coordinating gardening programs in The Family Garden at the New York Botanical Gardens. When Duncan’s mother’s health issues called them to follow through on their commitment to care for her, they relocated to Spokane, WA, moving into her home to care for her during the last 26 months of her life. During this time, Charlene completed residency in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), a pre-requisite to being a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). She also continued seminary course work in stints back to AMBS. Following her mother-in-law’s death, they relocated again to Portland when Duncan accepted a position on the PNMC staff. Here she completed her seminary courses at Western Evangelical Seminary (now George Fox Seminary), volunteered as a chaplain at Inverness Correctional Facility and Providence Milwaukie Hospital until acquiring a full-time staff chaplain position in October of 2000 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, where she continues to minister today. She was ordained to Christian Ministry through PNMC, as a member of Portland Mennonite Church on July 14, 2002.
Bring sleeping bag, pillow, flashlight, personal items, Bible, notebook, personal copies of Sing the Journey and Sing the Story if you have them, camera, your favorite game, fresh fruit for snacks and perhaps a talent or story to share for Saturday evening’s gathering around the fire.
Interest Centers:
Nature Walk
Pampering massage, shoulders and feet, $1 per minute.  Hand wax wrap $5
Create greeting cards Learn to knit with Sara Gibson (bring worsted yarn of your choosing, needles provided or bring your own favorite pair)
Book discussion— “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett Food demonstration — chocolate lava cakes!
Table settings — We’re still looking for someone to teach this if you are interested?
Directed journaling & found poetry with Jaqui Eicher Forney
Creative paper play with Marisa Eicher Demasi
Visiting / Table Games
Schedule:
Friday 4:00 Registration opens 5:30 -8:00 Supper makings set out Evening Interest centers 9:00 Get acquainted activities, led by Pam Fahndrich followed by evening prayers by in the chapel
Saturday 8:00 Breakfast; 9:00  Chapel Morning interest Centers; 12:00 Lunch Afternoon Interest Centers 6:00 Dinner Evening Activity—Talent Show   Bring along a talent, story, joke, skit song, game, etc. to share Saturday evening.  Followed by evening prayers.
Sunday 7:00 Early-bird breakfast; 9:00 Chapel; 10:00 Brunch; 11:00 Clean-up and departure

2010 Mennonite Women’s Retreat

A retreat for women of all ages that provides a space in time for refreshment and renewal of the spirit and the soul. Chapel each morning with devotional, music and song followed with ample time to explore new interests and friendships. 

Mennonite Village chaplain, Teresa Moser, will encourage  guests to “rest in the rifted rock” and trust God through  life’s changes:  from early years to giving birth and nurturing others, to approaching the end of life on this beautiful planet. Letting go in the midst of hardships and heartache . . . through joy and contentment. . . with adjustments to plans and the unfolding of unforeseen opportunities; learning to trust and rest in God along the journey.

2010-MWR

The weekend will provide opportunities to grow in mind, body & spirit through group sessions, nature hikes, discussion groups and times of reflection. Fun will be had as guests invite others to share in activities that bring them joy. Delight in nourishing food, coffee treats and time set aside to connect with others, be quiet with God, and feed the spirit.

Consider the benefit of self-care in our fast-paced society. Turn off the phone , let go of nagging responsibilities for a bit. Invite a sister, a daughter, a mother, a friend… gather for music, worship and relaxation. Come, be renewed. Rose Burke will be on-site giving chair and table massages as well as parafin wax treatments to pamper your hands. The gift to yourself of massage is $1 per minute, hand treatments are $5. 

Saturday interests:

  • Nature Walk
  • Pampering massage, shoulders and feet, $1 per minute.  Hand wax wrap $5
  • Create greeting cards
  • Learn to Knit! (bring worsted yarn of your choosing, needles provided or bring your own favorite pair)
  • Book discussion–Anne Lamott’s “Traveling Mercies”, discussion led by Juell Yoder Russell
  • Food demonstration (creme brulee, mmmm!)
  • Table settings — We’re still looking for someone to teach this if you are interested? 
  • Directed journaling & found poetry
  • Visiting / Table Games

The book discussion group will feature Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott .

You are invited to pause after every chapter to reflect on your own life, reading it “in dialoge with yourself” as it were, examining your past and present with the same piercing honesty as Ms. Lamott has done. Where do you see God? What role does your faith community play in your life and decisions? Where do you feel alone?

Let her brilliant sense of humor infect you and serve to lighten those places where your heart is heavy. Let her perceptiveness alert you to the gifts of your own ability to be acutely sensitive and perceptive to encounters and events in the world around you.

Please bring along any journal or notes you make to share with the group. 

NOTE: Anne writes in an earthy, honest way, which includes language some may find offensive.