by Pam Schmidt

At least since I have been a member of St. A's (2000), St. A's has offered a spring time Women's Retreat. These are a wonderful oasis of calm that takes us out of our "busyness" and puts us squarely in the path of the Holy Spirit. The retreat gives us the time and space to deepen our relationship with God, and it also offers us the gift of unhurried fellowship with other St. A's women. Not seeing myself as a "retreat" person, I was a skeptic when I first heard women raving about our retreats. But, after my first retreat, 4 or 5 years ago, I got hooked. I think you will too.

This year our retreat will be on April 17-19, 2009 at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. Our retreat will be led by Virginia LeDare Cox (known as Dare). Dare is the Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader at the Dayspring Spirituality Center in Stanton Michigan. Dare has served on Hartshorn's Credo facility team for a number of years and is a nationally recognized Spiritual Advisor to bishops and priests as well as lay persons in the church. Hartshorn writes: "Dare has, for years now, gently called God's people back to a life of prayer and spiritual practice. She is a true gift. You will treasure your time with her at a weekend away." The cost will be $165 for a double room and $220 for a private room. This can be paid in installments, with the last payment due April 1, 2009. Scholarships, including partial scholarships, are available, so please do not let cost deter you from attending.

The sign-up is on the church patio. A $30, non-refundable deposit is needed to hold a space for you. Contact Pam Schmidt, Sheila Harrington or Gretchen Haight with questions.

Copyright © 2009 St. Augustine by-the-Sea