Women’s Retreat 2022 – Light up the World with Love
What a wonderful weekend we shared in at Women’s Retreat this year. Held at beautiful Tiona, (and even though it rained pretty much all weekend) we lit up each other’s world with love, laughter, good food, fellowship, prayer, singing and more.
The theme was one we could be challenged by – as well as encouraged, with sub themes to light up the world with joy, kindness, spirit, hope, peace, and the banner over all - love.
Activities included getting to know you and getting together fun, learning new songs and singing familiar ones, a campfire communion (albeit it indoor), craft-making Easter Wreaths, A fun time of Would I Lie to You? Worship, Class, Vespers, Line Dancing, ( a beautiful image was three doing it with the aid of their walkers) We also wrote messages of Affirmation for one another to take home and be a blessing.
Our final worship didn’t go ahead in the Green Cathedral, due to the weather, but instead in front of the newly renovated Palms Pavilion (Conference Centre) with that wonderful vista of the lake and trees in front of us and as we sang, the birds, sang with us. The Scripture used was taken from The Message which said following
Matthew 5 14-15 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
We were encouraged to go and shine, go public with the good news of God’s Love and Light.
We had no sooner finished the service than a reporter from Channel 7 and his cameraman – who unknown to us – was filming at Tiona, and had heard us singing in the worship, came up to us and said, we want to film you to go on the travel program we are producing, We heard you, we want others to hear you and so apparently at the end of April, we will be on the tele singing, Jesus is the Rock and he Rolls my Blues Away and I was interviewed to share a little of what we had been doing at Tiona that weekend. Talk about going public and bringing out our God Colours. It was a joyous conclusion to our beautiful weekend today.
Wendy Ballard
“Let your Light Shine” was the theme that encompassed our Womens Retreat at Tiona this year.
I was reminded of the old hymn “Tis a glorious thing to be in the light, In the Light”, and I must say that I/we were embellished by the Light that shone from the 33 wonderful ladies over the weekend retreat, sisterhood at its best....there was care, peace, love, worship, sacred space, prayers, laughter, creativity, sharing beautifully prepared food around the table, music, catch ups, generosity, line dancing....with 3 inspirational women joining in on their walkers...beautiful to see...being brave to share our story knowing that we would be supported by everyone present...an indoor campfire communion, administration, serenity. Our Saturday evening social activity was “Would I lie to you” and let’s just say we had some very convincing participants who could tell a good story. And to top the weekend off a Television crew wanting to record us singing together, after hearing us sing during our Sunday worship.
The Spirit of joy, hope, love and peace was certainly with us from beginning to end. We came with hearts seeking spiritual awakening and connection to the divine and left with hearts overflowing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Robyn Rankin
Below are photos and more reflections from participants at camp:
Wade and I travelled around 5000 kms in our latest trip for me to experience Women’s Retreat 2022 at Tiona Park. That’s what it means to me to be with the women in our Church and their family and friends. It is a chance to fill my spiritual cup and to renew my courage and strength to face my daily challenges. I learn so much from hearing other women’s’ stories and daily struggles with their relationship with their health, their communities, their work, their families and friends and their God. It reminds me how every woman has a story to share, and which needs to be heard with compassion and care like Jesus would. The weekend reminds me how strong we are together and how when women lift each other up in song, in learning, in sharing, in hugging and in prayer they can achieve anything, and healing can occur. Our communities rely on the strength and compassion of their women and retreats like this help to build us up and keep us serving how, where, and as needed. Thank you to all who were involved in the staffing and organising of the weekend and to the beautiful women who came to share a part of themselves.
Leanne Moore
I really enjoyed the group singing for Chanel 7 at the end of camp as everyone was relaxed and full of the spirit of love and camaraderie.
I always come away from a Women’s Retreat with a lighter step and a fuller heart. This was no exception.
Gwenda Ferrett
The messages to take home, I've read them several times to take me back there. I loved the weekend, love the people. so much for all you did. It was a lot of organisations and an amazing weekend. For me it couldn't have been better.
Joan Harley
The venue and the food was amazing and plenty for my diet, I really appreciated that.
I liked the boot scooting lol was fun. I really enjoyed having dinner at different tables meeting different ladies. It was very special to meet the lady who had the birthday similar to mine that activity was special. Would I lie to you was hilarious loved that. However Saturday night by the camp fire was pinnacle for me, woman gathering and sharing their stories. being who they are, raw in the now, such a heart opening powerful experience.
I was new at the woman’s retreat, but I felt I had been attending for many years, as the woman accepted me with open arms. I left feeling I meet friends for life. Was a truly beautiful experience. I totally recommend the woman’s retreat.
Nancy Santorelli
