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I have just returned from the St. Andrew’s Winter Women’s Retreat… and what a weekend it was!
Twenty-one from the St. Andrew’s community and beyond gathered at Gracefield Camp to grow in faith and fellowship together. We were very fortunate to have the Rev. Dr. Dorcas Gordon, principal of Knox College, lead us in study on Saturday. In the morning, we considered the importance of how we name Jesus – what it says about us and our church. We looked at the roots of “Logos” (or the Word) at the beginning of John, and how its roots are in the woman Wisdom. In the afternoon, we were encouraged to see familiar stories with new eyes as we looked at some of the women in John’s gospel. By asking questions and reading carefully, we learned of the leadership roles held by Jesus’ mother, the Samaritan woman and Mary Magdalene.
During our free time on Saturday, some brought out their skis, others their knitting needles. After dinner, Jessica led us through a candle-lit labyrinth on the frozen lake. The movie Vision, about the life of Hildegard of Bingen, finished off our day.
This morning, we rose and worshipped together, considering again the story of Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus after the resurrection. We returned to Ottawa after lunch, well-fed both physically and spiritually after a wonderful weekend.
Some text here...
darlene
I think I’m still processing the events of the weekend and I’m finding it hard to put the experience into words. Coming together as a community and as a community of women specifically to discuss and consider the role of women in Jesus’ ministry and how that role has been diminished or dismissed or reinterpreted by scribes was incredibly powerful. The conflagration of sexuality with spirituality and with one’s capacity for ministry and service is not merely an historical concern, as Dorcas noted in her sessions. Lots to think about coming away from our discussions at the retreat, and lots of books I need to acquire and read!
A small set of photos from the weekend can be found here.
Laura
I totally agree, Darlene, with the “still processing” part… That was why I stuck to the facts in my little summary.
But would be interesting to continue the conversation, here or elsewhere, once we have had the opportunity to let things sink in a bit.
Laura
Also, great photos! Thank you!
Jessica
What a weekend. It was so energizing to learn and create with my fellow women. I am struck by how many threads were woven together – names, strength, power, mothering and spirit.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their presence and their prayers! (A special thanks to Diane Hoskins who sent us chocolates.
Darlene – those photos are absolutely amazing!
zully
Where can we see the photos???? Let’s see them.
Maureen Renaud
Darlene has a link up at the top, Zully. And they’re great for sure!
maureen
Being out of my element (very out of my element!) made me notice the use of space. Our Sunday time of worship was in the common room area where we’d earlier chatted together, and where we’d sat under the teaching of Rev. Gordon. I was touched by how worship melded with fellowship and teaching in such a natural way. Sometimes it’s good to worship outside the four walls of the sanctuary.
darlene
I couldn’t agree more, Maureen! And how fitting considering how we had discussed Mary and Martha at length and how they served and likely led the early church which met exclusively in members’ homes. Sitting together, discussing, singing, praying, but all through lay leadership…there was something very reminiscent of the early church in our Sunday morning.
Judy
I also very much enjoyed the weekend. It was really wonderful to see such a variety of generations of women learning together, not only from our speaker, but from each other,