Women of Worth Retreat '14 Beulah Beach

Have you ever been to a lodge on the lake with a group of Christian women who spent the weekend laughing, learning and worshipping?
No?
Then, you need to make plans to join us at Beulah Beach next October because you missed a great retreat. This ladies’ gathering is an annual event hosted by the Canton-Massillon Chapter of Women of Worth and has been enjoyed for many years by women from several states. In fact, we like to say that this retreat was the “original” Women of Worth event, a sort of “mother” who has, in recent years, birthed several other retreats in other regions.

Maybe the word "retreat" sounds boring, like spending the weekend studying seaweed or maybe it sounds too involved like writing a term paper or perhaps it even sounds painful like having wisdom teeth extracted. Yeah, I agree; I wouldn’t be too excited about any of those ideas.

But the annual Women of Worth Retreat on the shores of Lake Erie is filled with lots of fun, wonderful new friends and incredible spiritual renewal. When you arrive at the venue, the porch of the lodge is warmed by smiling faces, fall flowers and gourds and a basket filled with crisp apples. You are given your folder, an apple and a room number and "welcomed." Walking on the wooden floor of the lodge and clattering down the hall with your suitcase takes you back in time and makes you feel like you’re on vacation. If you’re fortunate enough to land a room with a lake view, you can throw open the window and feel the cool breeze and see the waves lapping onto the shore. After you’re moved in, you’ll want to go back out and sit on the porch to greet friends or walk to the beach and let the fact sink in that you’re on your own, no laundry to fold or meals to cook or dishes to wash. God has given you a weekend away!

 

As the retreat unfolds, you will make some new friends, eat meals in a dining room overlooking the water, laugh yourself silly and get closer to God in amazing ways. You will enjoy a concert of music and spend some time praying with others. You will have some free time on Saturday to go shopping or read a book or even take a nap. You will rediscover yourself and reclaim some joy.


This year, our weekend was packed with lots of good things, and I think everyone went away with some kind of gift from the Lord. The retreat opened with a concert with the Isbell family from Tennessee. This group was new to many of us there, and we quickly fell in love with Eric and Rachel and their children, Autumn and Kaleb. Their music was inspiring and challenging and fun and good! They gave us music from many genres – southern gospel, bluegrass, folk and even a bit of Cajun, I think. Sometimes, we wiped tears from our eyes and sometimes we stomped our feet a little. God used their music to bless us.

Eric Isbell Family

 

 

The featured speaker this year was Charlotte Frederick from Cincinnati, Ohio. I think all of us were challenged by her opening presentation on "The Discipline of Solitude and Rest." She spoke from her heart, revealing the stress of her own life in previous weeks and encouraging us to find strength in quietness before the Lord. Her message was one of challenge: there must be space in our lives for silence because God speaks to us and nourishes us in moments of solitude.

 

Mrs. Charlotte Frederick

 

Mrs. Janet Sankey (WOW Director), Mrs. Charlotte Frederick, and Mrs. Lorena Glick (Retreat Director)

On Saturday afternoon, we took some time to put it into practice – each of us finding a place to
be alone for a little while and then breaking off to go into town or spend some time on the beach. Saturday evening was a time of singspiration with music from ladies of the various churches. Then on Sunday morning, we gathered for a worship service. The ladies sang hymns like "How Firm a Foundation" and newer choruses like "I Build My Life on You." Charlotte Frederick spoke to us about Jesus, the refuge and fortress of our faith. Then, we closed the last session by gathering in prayer groups around the room and sharing burdens and praying together. The room was filled with a real sense of God’s presence.
 

After a last lunch together, it was time to pack our cars and head home. Women left with smiles and hugs and talk of coming next year. The pictures and good memories will have to do until next October when we do it all over again – and, next time, we hope you join us!

The Women of Worth retreat is held every year on the first weekend of October. For more information, contact the Canton-Massillon Women of Worth on Facebook or email Lorena Glick at wantok2@hotmail.com