BY DIANNA
BARRON
You know that
feeling you get when you are fully aware of God’s presence? Maybe you get the goose bumps or maybe your
eyes fill to the brim with tears of emotion. Perhaps you just feel centered knowing that “it is well with your
soul.” Or perhaps for the first time in
weeks, you feel that things are going to be OK.
Those are
some of the feelings I recall when I reflect back to the spring women’s
gathering last spring. I remember what a
special weekend it was, filled with the warmth and goodwill of women who were
there to share their faith and to support one another. For me, it was a unique experience, my first
women’s retreat. Ever. And I find myself
wondering…why was that? Why had I never
gone on a women’s retreat with the women of Christ Church?
Although I
really didn’t know what to expect, what I encountered was far better than I had
ever imagined. The weekend was filled
with good food, fellowship, warm surroundings, and an opportunity to share…or
to simply listen. There were small group gatherings and large group gatherings,
planned activities, and free moments to simply go outside and walk by the
river. Some of the women there were the
women you see at every Christ Church gathering and some were women who don’t
attend Christ Church. All were welcome,
and from what I observed, all felt at home.
Jan Walker, Missy Jennings, Becky Hansell, and
Julie Finnegan each shared different stories of their faith at different times
over the weekend. As we listened, sometimes we cried, and sometimes we laughed.
Sometimes we took notes, and sometimes we just took it all in. I found myself
forming bonds with women I had never really spoken with before. It was surprising how receptive everyone
seemed to making it a special time for all…and it was. The Holy Spirit brought us together and must
have been smiling as women grew stronger together in their faith and
friendship.
What are
the lasting effects of a weekend like that?
I can’t speak for others, but afterwards I felt a strong commitment to
lead a women’s Bible study – something else I had never done before. I realized once again the “home” that is
Christ Church Episcopal, and I still feel a strengthened connection with the
other women who were there.
This spring
I hope you will feel a “nudge” to attend the upcoming Spring Women’s Gathering
on April 1 and 2. Once again, it will be
at the home of Missy and John Jennings.
If you come, I can promise that you will be so glad that you made the
decision to share the time with the warm, wonderful women of CCE. Hope to see you there!
