The theme of our 2020 retreat is Psalm 32:7 - “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Life is full of trials and trouble. Even God’s people sometimes feel lost and confused. But even in the face of adversity, we know that God is in control. He is the one to whom we can always turn for peace and comfort. He promises to protect us from the devil, the world, and our own sinful selves. And he surrounds us with the songs of the greatest deliverance of all: our salvation in Jesus our Savior. This deliverance brings us the amazing joy of knowing that we have a home in Heaven waiting for us. This world and its troubles are temporary, and our God will walk beside us all the way. He will protect us and surround us with the greatest song ever sung. Join us for a weekend of reflecting on God’s great love, protection, and deliverance in Jesus!
March 13 - 15, 2020
Treetops Resort
3962 Wilkinson Rd, Gaylord, MI 49735
To make reservations, call (866) 348-5249 and ask for the special Sisters in Christ Retreat rate.
(To get the special retreat rates, you must call and reserve your room by January 27, 2020.)
You have three choices for room accommodations:
- Standard Rooms at the Treetops Inn - $89/night Feature two double beds and a small refrigerator. Shuttle service available. No elevators.
- Deluxe Rooms at the Treetops Inn - $99/night Feature two queen beds, sitting area, fridge, and a microwave. Shuttle service available. No elevators.
- Lodge Queen/Lodge Queen Deluxe - $129/night Feature two queen beds, sitting area, wet bar, fridge, and microwave. Shuttle service available. Elevators available.
*All rooms are assessed a $15 per room per night resort fee.
*There will be check-in available at both the Lodge and the Inn.
Hotel Reservations - You must reserve a room for two nights, March 13th and 14th, 2020. We sign a contract with the hotel and costs are based on the number of hotel rooms reserved. Thank you for your understanding, as we try to keep costs as low as possible. The discounted rate is also available on March 12th and March 15th.
All activities and breakout sessions will be held at the Convention Center, which is less than .5 miles from the Inn and Lodge. A complimentary shuttle is available to you all weekend. If you want to get your steps in, you will be able to clock about 1000 steps each way!
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Friday Night Opening Session
Pastor Mike Biedenbender -Why and Where Are You Hiding? "Hide and Seek" is a game we all played as children. But maybe, just maybe, we play that game more often than we care to admit. Maybe, just maybe, hiding has become such a part of our lives that we don't even realize that we are hiding. In Psalm 32, David realized that he had been hiding in the wrong place and found himself exhausted. Are you hiding? If so, where are you hiding and from what?
Saturday Morning Breakout Sessions
1. Rachel Greiner - You Are My Hiding Place-Need a place to hide? We've Got This! Sometimes we feel more isolated than ever, but God is offering us connection through our sisters in Christ. What if we felt free to be authentic with each other? Let's explore ways to share God's strength with people who are hurting. Don't miss this fun and practical session.
2. Jayne Bartz - You Will Protect Me - Protection for Esther and God’s People In this session we will take a closer look at how God protected Esther and used her to deliver his people. We will look at how he continues to protect and deliver his people today.
3. His Way Band - Songs of Deliverance - In this interactive session, His Way Band will share the history of their ministry, as well as a sneak peek of Saturday night’s entertainment. Be ready to sing and learn some rhythms that you just might be using before you know it!
4. Lisa Hecht - Walking in His Protection - Stress, depression, anxiety, and many other emotional challenges are strongly related to “problem thoughts.” The way we handle these thoughts AND how we work with our thought life in general involves skills that we can all learn and practice. Walking in the protection of His Love and His Truth for our minds and lives.
5. Aneela Nazi - You Will Surround Me - In this session, Aneela will share her story of growing up in Pakistan amidst Christian persecution, and how God protected Aneela and her family. She will also share the work that she and her husband did in Pakistan and are currently doing here in the United States.
Saturday Afternoon Keynote Address
Lisa Hecht - God’s Provision of Truth and Love for Emotional Suffering - We all suffer emotionally at some point in our lives, some of us more than others. Suffering is part of our life on earth. Having a more accurate, scientific understanding of what emotions are, how, why and where they happen is the first step in enabling a person to better resolve difficult feelings. From this understanding comes a natural healing and care process, for us and those we love. “God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
Optional Saturday Afternoon Bible Study
Pastor Mike Biedenbender, Faith Lutheran Church, Mt. Pleasant, MI - Name that Tune! Pastor Mike Biedenbender will lead the optional afternoon Bible study on our theme verse. Come and learn about the songs sung to us by our God which move our hearts and souls because they carry with them the power of the Holy Spirit. They move us to focus on the glory of our God, his grace, his protection, and his purposes for us.
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Additional Afternoon Activities
Winter Fun at Treetops – These activities are on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited.
Winter Fun at Treetops
Sleigh Rides - $15/person Enjoy a scenic sleigh ride through the woods.
Guided Snowshoe Adventure - $20/person Snowshoeing lets you go where skis fear to tread. Kick it old school and slap on those tennis rackets. Explore the trails by trudging through forests and woodland trails.
Extreme Tubing - $15/person Take an exhilarating ride down the slope on a tube. You'll come to a halt at the base of the hill right next to the tow rope. Take a tow back to the top to do it again!
Spa Services - 20% Off Retreat attendees qualify for 20% off spa services. Visit treetops.com for available services and pricing. You must call Treetops to schedule your appointment. Make sure you mention our special retreat rate.
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Saturday Evening Entertainment
His Way Band
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**NOTE: The 3/4 sleeve shirt runs small, so consider ordering a size larger than you normally do.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Retreat Fees: Our registration fee includes the program and meals.
Scholarships: This assistance covers registration costs only. Please note that you must stay at the hotel to qualify for one of the scholarships. We are offering this assistance to two women, with the selection process being determined by a drawing of names. A third scholarship recipient will receive the Elaine P. Hayes Memorial Scholarship. Send an email with the nominee’s contact information to info@sistersinchristretreat.org. All entries must be received by January 10, 2020. Recipients will be notified by January 13, 2020.
Payment: Please make your check for registration, shirts, and scholarship fund to “Sisters in Christ.” Your cancelled check is your confirmation.Credit cards can only be used online.
Refunds: Sorry, but we cannot offer refunds. Instead, you may substitute someone in your place. Please notify us of any changes.
Dress: Wear what you find comfortable.You may want to dress up for the Saturday night banquet or for Sunday morning worship.
Children: Out of courtesy for others attending the retreat, we kindly request that you leave your little ones at home unless they are nursing infants. Please let us know on the registration form if you are bringing a nursing infant.
Questions:info@sistersinchristretreat.org Lori Hensler (989) 284-7132 Lisa Solomon (248) 854-7578
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Click here to print a Registration Form
Click here to print a Brochure
OR
The Sisters in Christ Retreat is organized by a committee of women from the following congregations:
Bethany Lutheran Church, Saginaw, MI
Christ Our Savior, Rockford, MI
Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Warren, MI
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Midland, MI
St Matthews Lutheran Church, Oconomowoc, WI