114th Annual Retreat for Women

REGISTRATION PAGE

REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED! 

Below is the complete list of workshop selections available by session.  It is suggested you first review the list and make your choices before registering.  When ready, simply click the 'Register Now' link at the bottom of this page. See you soon!

IF YOU WERE REFERRED BY A FRIEND BE SURE TO INCLUDE THEIR NAME IN THE APPROPRIATE SPACE.

Payment Notice:  We are set up to accept online payments with MasterCard, Visa & Discover, but not AMEX.  Thank you!

WORKSHOPS

 Shattered by Grace - A collaborative presentation with Rachel Norris and Mary Margret Mann.  A conversation between a potter and an actress based on the description in John 4 of Christ's encounter with the Samaritan women at the well.  This is a dynamic presentation of the woman's life changing encounter with the Messiah and a look into how the truth presented in John 4 is still changing lives today. Presenters:  Rachel Norris owns Joy Pottery in Bryan Texas where she makes and sells her functional stoneware and teaches classes.  Rachel has been a potter for over thirty years and has been sharing her testimony of God's redeeming love with her potter's wheel for over twenty years.  www.joypotterytx.com.  Mary Margret Mann is a professional actress, author and speaker specializing in one-woman presentations.  She utilizes her talent to make known the grace of God through dramatic presentation.  www.marymargretman.com.  Session I, II, III

 When Girls Win, We All Win: Sustainable Feminine Hygiene Products to Third-World Girls – Girls around the world without feminine hygiene supplies miss up to 8 months of school in 3 years.  They use leaves, corn husks, and other unreliable items to try to stay in school during their periods.  For example, in India, the issue is the number one reason girls don’t go to school.  Whether you sew or not, you can give back days of education, safety, and dignity through Days For Girls hygiene kits. Presenter:  Fran Lantz is a member of St. Christopher Episcopal Church in League City.  Former human resources manager providing training and development in Texas chemical manufacturing and Appalachian coal mining.  Former public school educator grades 6 through post-secondary in Tennessee, New York, Wisconsin and Kentucky.  Session I, II, III

 Who Is the Good Samaritan?  A Kaleidoscope of Possible Answers – In this workshop, we will look at Scriptures, definitions of “Self” and “Others,” using the metaphor of Kaleidoscope as we piece together a new understanding of “neighbor.”  During the last portion of the workshop participants will create their own kaleidoscope of sorts, using any new insights that may have occurred.  Bonus:  for attending this workshop Rev. Dorothy will give you a copy of a hymn she wrote, hoping you will give it to your parish musician and that your church will sing it.  But if not, then her hymn will be for your personal enjoyment. Presenter:  The Rev. Dorothy Gremilion has been in ordained ministry for 15 years and is a musician, creative writer, and an artist.  Her undergraduate degree is in music, and she holds three master degrees:  an MA in Psychology, a master of Pastoral Studies in Spiritual Direction, and a Master of Divinity.  Rev. Gremilion directs retreats, quiet days, and workshops on a variety of topics, and has been a spiritual director since the late 1980’s.  She is a Daring Way ^TM Facilitator-Candidate.  Session I, II, III

We are taught to “Love they neighbor AS thy self” – This usually transfers to serving the less fortunate.  In this workshop we will look at the second part of this two parts deed…”Love thy self”.  We will explore meditation techniques, in the Buddhist tradition called Meta Meditation that cultivate self-care and love, as integral to caring for other. Presenter:  Irit Umani.  Israeli born and raised, Irit Umani came to Austin in 2010 to be the Executive Director of Trinity Center; a ministry of services to the homeless population, created by St. David’s Episcopal Church.  Prior to this role she had nearly 20 years of experience in leading non-profit organizations that address the issue of domestic and sexual violence both in Israel and in California.  Irit Umani is the 2014 recipient of the Charles Cook’s Leadership Service Award, given by the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest.  With a multi-cultural and multi-religion background, Ms. Umani refers to her work as the expression and manifestation of her spiritual journey and interpretation of scripture.  Session III

 Outreach: And Who Is My Neighbor? With a story of redemption Most of us live in a “bubble” or comfort zone where our neighbors are much like us.  However, Jesus calls for us not to be comfortable but to be proactive in reaching out to those who are hurting and who may be very different from us.  We will explore “and who is my neighbor?”  Presenter:  Debbie Johnson is the current ECW Diocese of Texas Outreach/Vera Gang Scott Chair.  She served as the Outreach Coordinator for St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, taught Sunday School for more than 30 years, has led and attended many mission trips (for the last 5 years on the Lakota Reservation in South Dakota), serves at Lord of the Streets in Houston with her husband, and is actively exploring new ways to serve the homeless population in Northwest Houston.  Debbie is a member of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal, Houston.  Guest Speaker:  Brenda Whittington’s life has been hard; homeless, abused, incarcerated, and forgotten. However, though her faith and with the help of Christian women along the way, her life has been transformed.  From despair to hope; her story is one that must be told!  Brenda is a member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Austin. Session II

 UTO: Turning Thankfulness Into Mission and Ministry This session will take a look into the history of the United Thank Offering, understanding what UTO does, sharing ideas for promoting UTO in our parishes and for making the In-Gathering of funds celebratory occasions.  We will also take a look at some of the activities that have received grants and briefly discuss how the granting process works.  Workshop Session:  3 only  Presenter:  Nancy Dalton is the Diocesan Coordinator for the United Thank Offering, the Bishop Kinsolving Memorial Fund, and the ECW Endowment Fund.  She was elected in the fall of 2014.  She is a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Friendswood where she sings in the choir, serves on the Youth Commission, in the Bereavement Ministry, and on the Board of Directors of the Shepherd’s Nook, a thrift shop owned and operated by the women of the church.  She is a retired high school English teacher and assistant principal.  Session III

 Making Holiday Wreaths During this workshop you will have the option of making a “Geo-Mesh” Christmas Wreath.  $20 Fee, 20 spaces per session. Presenter:  Beth Brode is an interior designer from Austin.  She, her husband Mike and two teenagers (Michael, 19, and Bonnie, 16) are members of St. Mark’s Austin where Beth has attended since going to Kindergarten there in the mid-1960’s.  Session I, II

 Caring for Linens Presenter:  Find answers to caring for our linens.  Laundry, spot removal, storage, and mending issues will be covered.  This will be a hands-on workshop.  Bring along your problems, and we will work on them!  Joan Konecny  Session I