Retreat 2008

Over the weekend I attended a retreat at St Marks hosted by St Marks. My daughter was asked to use Margaret ,her puppet. She agreed and she became part of the planning group. The retreat planning had begun almost a year ago, but my daughter joined only in the last part of the planning.

The long planning paid off, for it was a very nice retreat on prayer. Pennie would open with Margaret ,giving a over view of what was to come with humor. There were a number of projects in which you could choose whether to participate or not. A prayer journal was made, prayer quilts were tied,cards were sent to those ill, having a loss or in the service. The synod had supplied some ideas such as mandalas(not sure of spelling but they were patterned pictures which could be colored)and prayer thoughts on equality for men and women. The last was a box with sticks standing with blue ribbons and then there were sticks with pink ribbons hidden in a box of sand. You were to find the sticks with the pink ribbons and place them along side of the sticks with blue ribbons praying for equal rights. The retreat began with the traditional Lords Prayer and ended with singing the Lords Prayer. The retreat also closed with communion. The Holy Spirit changed the program a bit. St Marks has stained glass windows which tell the gospel story and the planners were going to go from window to window telling the story. This was planned in the summer. When the ladies came into the sanctuary to see the windows you could not see them because it was dark. So the lights were turned on and the ladies went outside and walked around the church. We had three meals on Saturday prepared by some men in the congregation. They were excellent. I was very glad I attended the retreat. Pictures on the retreat are found at St Marks web page and you can get there from Dr John's