Arkansas Time for JOY

If you think all retreats are still and quiet, the 2010 Time for JOY proved otherwise!  Of course there was plenty of time for rejuvenation of body and spirit, but the leadership team was delightfully surprised by the talent and camaraderie revealed when the music played Saturday night in Grace Lodge.   Obviously it was time for some of us to let go and get down.

The surprises never cease at Time for JOY.  After six years, we truly believe this model works and is a beacon of light for women in our diocese.  Others think so, too, and show as much with their generous gifts that help keep this ministry alive.  One gift in particular was a fleece shawl for every retreatant.  At the chilly chapel Sunday morning,  the women were aglow with the bright colors of their shawls.  One woman said it seemed everyone got just the right color, too.  More important, however, is that the women get to take home with them a token of warmth and comfort to remind them of this time on the mountain; when needed, they can physically cloak themselves in a memory of the weekend and remember the sisterhood they share.

From the music to the colors to the radiance of Spirit ever-present, the steering committee offers a sincere thanks to all who came and to all who gave that this retreat would continue in the tradition of nurturing our church women.

Our 6th annual Time for JOY retreat will be April 23rd-25th, 2010, at the beautiful Camp Mitchell.  There’s something for everyone in the diocese to do to support this important ministry for women ages 19-40something.

• Sponsors:  Seek out a young woman in your midst who needs a break, a time to renew her spirit.  Two per congregation is ideal, but more are welcome, as space allows.  The retreat is limited to 24 participants, so register early!

• Young Women:  Speak up!  This is what you need, and your Church knows you deserve it.

• Congregations:  Support the young women who are coming.  Help them plan for childcare, meals, and travel, if needed.  Encourage them to share their experience upon return and watch what a difference your support makes in their spiritual journey.

• Volunteers:  Whether you’re a past retreatant or a more experienced woman in life, we welcome you to participate in this rewarding ministry.  Serve on our committee or help us for the weekend on our Angel Team by contacting Sara [sara (at) everydaysimple (dot) org].  You can also help by donating gifts, goods and funds.  Thank you for your support!

• All: Pray for our retreatants and volunteers.  We already have a prayer prepared.

Chapel of Transfiguration, Camp Mitchell

Every year since 2005, the team never fails to be amazed at the presence of Spirit and the generosity of our diocese.  Our 2009 retreat was no exception.

The young women were blanketed in hospitality and nurtured in Spirit.  The speaker Sara Milford encouraged every woman to listen to who they really are and sent them away with blessings from each other.  The Sunday morning Eucharist always sounds like a choir of angels.

For those of you who didn’t get to experience Time for JOY, either as a retreatant or a team member, we encourage you to get involved now.  Although registration doesn’t open until January, planning begins the summer before.  Church women can be looking for the next women who need an oasis on their spiritual journey.  If you would like to serve on the team, please contact sara at everydaysimple dot org.

Again, many thanks to everyone who made this year happen, and even more importantly, thanks be to God!

Pause.  Breathe deeply.  Deeper.  Exhale.  Fully.

We all need time to pause, time to reflect on who we are, not only in relation to our family and work but also in relation to Spirit, to God, to Christ.  It’s time we honored our true Selves, the woman God means for us to be.

Whether you are an Arkansas Episcopal church looking to learn more, a young woman looking for an escape, an older woman wondering what to do or anything between or beyond, we hope to bring you closer to what you seek.  Explore what our site has to offer.  Ask if you need further information.

Arkansas Episcopal Church Women welcomes you to experience Time for J.O.Y. (Jesus, Others and Yourself).