Start Packing for the Overnight Retreat!

Where on earth did 2009 go?! How is it that we will be starting a brand new year on Friday? And, as we all know, a new year means a new opportunity to participate in the annual Women’s Ministry Overnight Retreat. So mark your calendar and get ready to register for the 2010 retreat to be held January 29-30 at Shocco Springs. Transportation will be provided by the church bus and vans. The retreat will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday and continue until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The total cost will be $30.00 per person and should be paid when you register. Registration will begin on January 10th, continuing through January 24th. You do not want to miss this very special time designed for women of all ages. In keeping with the theme for the year, we will continue to Make It Real during this retreat.

Those who make up the Women’s Ministry Servant Team have been faithfully praying about this retreat and we are 100% convinced that everything about this year’s retreat is truly a “God thing.” The inspiration for this year’s retreat actually began when four ladies representing Eastern Hills attended the Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in November of 2008. Yes…2008 - good things often take a little time to work out. Two of those ladies heard a speaker at the conference and came away convinced that she was someone that the women of Eastern Hills needed to hear and that some way, somehow, someday, there would be a way to make that happen. Well…it is happening now.

That speaker was Leighann McCoy, the author of several Bible studies and the leader of a ministry called “Pray All the Way.” Even though we were a little later than usual in contacting her about our retreat, there was an incredible (God took care of it) series of events that made it possible for her to be with us at the end of January to lead our Bible study. Here is the bio that she sent to us to share with you:
Leighann McCoy lives in Franklin, Tennessee. She is the wife of Tom and the mother of two daughters and one son - Mikel, Kaleigh and TJ. She serves on staff at Thompson Station Church as the prayer and women’s minister. Her husband, Tom, is the senior pastor. She and Tom have seen their congregation grow from 8 to over 1800 members since they came to lead in 1989. Leighann began her writing career as a curriculum writer for Lifeway Christian Resources. Today she enjoys teaching the women in her church and across the nation as she speaks and writes. Her books include Women Touched by Jesus; Women Embracing Life…All of It; Women Overcoming Fear; Oh God, Please! The Heart Cry of a Burdened Soul; and Pray Right!

Now, here is something new for 2010. We will have t-shirts available for the retreat. They will cost $10 and you can order and pay for them when you register for the retreat. Also, for those of you who may want to continue the Bible study that Leighann will lead, books will be available for $10 each and can be purchased at the retreat.

So, maybe you are still not convinced and you just aren’t quite sure that you want to go. Try this – don’t go by yourself. Invite a friend to be your roommate and make it a lot more fun for both of you!