On May 23rd at 7PM and May 24th at 9:30AM (you can go to either one) we are honored to give a retreat for women led by Colleen Kelly Rayner, noted speaker and retreat master (more about her at the end of this article).
This can be a wonderful opportunity to give yourself the gift of time - time to refocus and let God speak to you. But why should God need us to do this? What are the benefits, if any?
Here's some "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQs) that might help:
So come to
Why Attend a Women’s Retreat?
I can’t be gone for a whole night. “My husband hates it when I’m gone. It’s not worth the hassle.” “It’s out of my comfort zone and a little scary.” (excuses, excuses)
We can find a hundred reasons why we shouldn’t go to a retreat. Sometimes the voices win out, and we stay home. Later, when we hear the wonderful reports from others about how great it was, we feel a pang of regret, but it doesn’t last long. “Oh well,” we say, “maybe next year.” However, other times we make the extra effort, and we’re the ones sharing happy stories and telling how glad we are that we attended.
Why We Need to take this Women’s Retreat:
1. Life is loud –
Kids crying dogs barking, cars whizzing by; it’s hard to hear God’s voice above the noise of everyday life. When is the last time you Giant’s Stadium in the background, or family members pressing in on all sides? If you think you’re less spiritual because you struggle to hear from God in the cacophony of your daily life, be encouraged. If you can’t remember, you need to attend this retreat.
2. Removing Distractions
“To retreat” means to leave our normally occupied positions and go to a place of safety, quiet, and seclusion. By going to a retreat, we physically remove ourselves from life’s distractions, work, the call of chores, and the demands of people in order to make space for God. Even Jesus recognized the value and need to get away and retreated into the hills.
3. Because we need each other.
Faith is encouraged by others. It can increase our faith when someone else shares how God has saved them. Today’s busy world allows little time for women to share faith stories, pray together, and hear God’s Word together. As we hear and apply God’s Word together, we learn from each other. Our varied backgrounds, experiences, and insights help us along the journey. The better we understand God, the stronger our faith becomes. Only then can we strengthen others, including our family members. Hearing other women’s testimonies about God’s faithfulness helps me realize that God will also take care of me.
4. Meeting together spurs us on to do what Jesus calls us to do - love all and good works.
To spur on means to stir someone up. This can have a negative effect, such as stirring up disagreement, but in this case, it underscores the fact that meeting together as believers helps us love and serve God and each other better and do the works he calls us to.
5. Standing with other women worshipping, praying, and learning about our precious Jesus makes us stronger.
It’s like experiencing a taste of what Heaven’s going to be like when we’re gathered around his throne. When I sit with my sisters and listen to God’s Word, the insights I gain can add weight and credence to its truth. When I pray for others, and they pray for me, I know I’m not alone, no matter how heavy my burden is. Sometimes their faith strengthens me, and other times my faith strengthens them. Together we bear each other’s burdens.
For these and many other reasons, retreats are important. When my children were young, it took a great deal of planning and preparation to be away from my family. I’d prepare meals in advance, swap carpool duties, and cash in spend-the-night favors. But no matter what I went through on every occasion, I returned from that Retreat refreshed, strengthened, inspired, and closer to the Lord and my sisters in Christ.
I’ve never regretted attending a retreat, but I’ve often regretted not attending. If you’ve never attended a retreat, or you haven’t in a while, why not make plans to attend this one? You’ll be glad you did. Let’s forget about those excuses we have for not going. Let us ask for God’s help in taking care of things for us when we take time to get away.
About Colleen Kelly Rayner:
Colleen will make you laugh (maybe make you roll on the floor hysterical), make you cry (but not the ugly cry), make you comfortable and yes, even possibly uncomfortable. One thing for sure: you will be moved and possibly even changed. Colleen has worked in ministry for over 25 years. Known for her comedic timing and vast knowledge of the church.
Come laugh, cry, and experience a new way to look at your faith that you will not soon forget.
So come to
Women’s Retreat
Church of the Visitation
Featuring Colleen Kelly Rayner
755 Mantoloking Road, Brick, NJ 08723
732-477-7059 Ext. 214
Wednesday Evening 7:00 pm or
Thursday Morning 9:39 am
FREE – Young Adults/Mothers bring your daughters or granddaughters
We need silence to be alone with God, to speak to him, to listen to him, to ponder his words deep in our hearts. We need to be alone with God in silence to be renewed and transformed. Silence gives us a new outlook on life. In it we are filled with the energy of God himself that makes us do all things with joy.
Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Audio (53 minutes) - The God-Sized Hole
https://formed.org/listen/593188bc5fe4b5c40c870250
Connor Flanagan is a musician and youth minister who has been actively involved in ministry for the last five years. He has spent the last several years traveling the country leading retreats and speaking at both youth conferences and parish events. In this presentation, Connor uses his own personal testimony to show how each one of us has what he calls a "God-Sized Hole" within our own hearts.
If you haven't done so already, go to www.formed.org, click on the REGISTER button and enter our parish code V8KNDV). Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Audio (53 minutes) - The God-Sized Hole
https://formed.org/listen/593188bc5fe4b5c40c870250
Connor Flanagan is a musician and youth minister who has been actively involved in ministry for the last five years. He has spent the last several years traveling the country leading retreats and speaking at both youth conferences and parish events. In this presentation, Connor uses his own personal testimony to show how each one of us has what he calls a "God-Sized Hole" within our own hearts.
If you haven't done so already, go to www.formed.org, click on the REGISTER button and enter our parish code V8KNDV). Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Do you find these weekly eCommunity mailings useful and think that family members or friends could benefit? Invite them either by having them text VisitationBrick to 84576 on their smartphone or by signing up on our parish website at http://visitationrcchurch.org/ - we'd love to have them join us!