117th Annual Retreat for Women

REGISTRATION PAGE

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

We are so glad you have decided to join us for the 117th Annual Retreat for Women at Camp Allen. Whether this is your first retreat or your tenth, we know that you will find the retreat a blessing. May you find rest, rejoice, and rejuvenate during your time with us. On Saturday night we will have live music!  You won't want to miss it!

Opening Plenary

Mary C. Earle is an Episcopal Priest, and author of "Marvelously Made" and 8 other books The topic of "Marvelously Made" is inspired directly   by Psalm 139. So, the emphasis is to be regularly attentive to our coming forth from the love of the Trinity, and honoring ourselves, loving ourselves as sacred beings, made in the image and likeness of God. She emphasizes the miraculous ways in which our bodies were created and sustained at every moment, and the fact that we take for granted that kind and generous Lord that holds us in being.  And Mary leads listeners to reflect on how to be good stewards of these temples of the Holy Spirit. It's definately NOT a "get in shape" kind of presentation.  Instead, the emphasis is on kindness, gentleness, and mercy toward this beautiful embodied expression of God's creative life.

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!

Payment Notice:  We are set up to accept online payments through PayPal.  Thank you!

Workshops

Peace + Light YogaFaith – Aims to bring whole mind, body and spirit health to people of all experience levels, so they can bring the same to others around them. There are 5 main pillars that make up each class: worship, music, prayer, meditation on scripture, movement through yoga postures, and a time of stillness and quiet at the end of each class. The purpose is always to put Jesus first in our practice and yoga second, because Jesus is our true fulfillment. Presenter: Janet Parish fell in love with yoga 6 years ago when she was pregnant with her first son.  She only started practicing yoga because she wanted to stay in shape during her pregnancy and prepare for labor.  As the years went on, she was only doing yoga off and on when she could, in her living room while her 3 boys climbed all over her. Slowly, yoga went from being just a physical outlet to an emotional and spiritual outlet as well. As a Christian, the use of yoga has transformed Janet's time with the Lord. She used to feel awkward and uneasy about stillness, prayer and meditation, but the Lord showed her how to use yoga to quiet her  heart and mind, lay everything down before Him, and just be in His presence.  He has shown her how important her wholeness and health is to be able to be a good wife and mom, and to effectively minister to others.  Her desire is to pour in to others and teach them how to use  what they learn in her class to then love, serve and spread the truth of Christ to those around them.

 The Stories We Live By - In scripture and in secular culture, human beings  have relied on a handful of archetypal narratives to help us understand why we are here, what we are doing, and how we are supposed to relate to God and each other.
Greg will introduce us to the stories of Home, Heroism, Community, and Brokenness, and talk about how they can animate our faith and our relationships with others, and offer opportunities for connection with those outside the walls of the church.  We'll consider movies, TV shows, novels, memoirs, music and figures in our sacred texts and church history to understand why these stories matter and how we might use them.  Presenter: Dr. Greg Garrett is, according to BBC Radio, one of America's most important voices on faith and culture, and according to author and priest Barbara Brown Taylor, one of the Episcopal Church's  most compelling evangelists.  He is the author of over 25 books of fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and translation.  Greg speaks regularly at diocesan conventions, clergy conferences, and in parishes and is a licensed lay preacher at St. David's, Austin. He is a Professor of English at Baylor University, and Theologian in Residence at the American Cathedral in Paris. Greg lives with his wife Jeanie and their family in Austin.

For Women Who Do Too Much - In a world that encourages us to measure ourselves according to all sorts of superficial standards, how do we find, and then live into our true callings as daughters of God? In this session, we will explore how the Christian notion of vocation offers us both direction and rest.  Presenter:  Rev. Nandra Perry, Ph.D. is the daughter of a Southern Baptist minister.  She grew up in little churches throughout rural Alabama and Central Florida.  She earned her bachelor's degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she met her husband Britt Mize (a native Texan).  In 2006 the family moved to College Station to join the English Department at Texas A&M University, where Nandra is now an Associate Professor.  She graduated from IONA School for Minstry in 2016 and was ordained a priest in 2017.  She serves at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Hearne, Texas.

Craft - Creative Die Cut Cards – Sue Bereth, an executive with the company Stampin Up for 26 years, has been holding classes on how to make beautiful cards and home decor.  She will have 4 different creative card kits for each participant to make, each with our retreat theme.  One of her associates, Mikayla Norman, will be leading the class to help us assemble the cards.  Don't miss this fun time!

Women As Leaders - What Does That Look Like? - How do we live into what God has made us to be without hiding our gifts and our talents under the table? We will discuss how we should celebrate all that God has created us and gifted us to be as leaders.  Presenter: Gaynor Yancy is a Professor in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work and Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, TX , the Director of the Center for Church and Community Impact, as is considered a Master Teacher by Baylor University.  She received a BA from East Texas Baptist University, the M.R.E. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the M.S.W. degree from Temple University in PA, and the D.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania. Gaynor has authored and co-authored numerous professional articles and book chapters, predominately focused on congregational community ministry and community based practice towards social justice.  She was the first recipient of the Clovis A. Brantley Award for Outstanding Service in Christian Social Ministries in the United States.

"Making a Joyful Noise"- Are you a reluctant congregational singer because you've always felt that you can't sing?  Are you afraid you will make a mistake?  Are you shy?  This session will give you the opportunity to explore your musical abilities in an interactive and fun way that will calm your fears and help you explore the sheer joy and restorative powers of making music.  Participants will learn a piece of music which they will perform later in the retreat.  As the Psalmist implored, you will, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises." (Psalm 98:4)  Presenter: Len DePrang sees music as essential as breathing. It speaks to his soul.  He has served as Music Director, Organist, and Pianist at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Friendswood for more that 15 years.  As a retired junior high and high school choral director, he has a record of directing  UIL Sweepstakes Award Winning Choirs for more than 25 years.  These choirs, along with bands and dancers, have produced numerous high school musicals.  He has been involved in church music since his teens, and took piano lessons from an early age.  His advanced studies occurred at Southwest Texas State University and Sam Houston State University.

      Outreach Project

    Bayou City Blessings in a  Backpack

This program provides weekend food to 1,325 children that are at risk of experiencing hunger while away from their school meal programs.  The teams deliver food bags every Friday during the 38 weeks of school. Each weekend bag costs $2.63 with $100.00 supporting one child in the program for one school year.  The "Food Focus" portion of this ministry highlights pantry items collected during specific months.  Each item has to be safe for transport in a backpack. Melissa Peter heads this program and the core mission is, "Feed My Lambs." (John 21:15)        Wal-Mart gift cards will be accepted during the retreat to help with this outreach.

Outreach Room

We will be hosting an Outreach Room to highlight our Diocesan Outreah Program and other worthy programs.

*1960 Hope Center - This program is the EDOT ECW Diocesan Outreach Program for the next 2 years. This center was opened to offer basic human services to the  homeless population along the 1960 corridor, now known as the Cypress Creek Parkway.  The center grew out of St. Dunston's Episcopal Church in Houston. A group of about 40 homeless people would meet near the church and come there for help. They realized something had to be done to help. This facility offers shelter from inclement weather, clean restrooms, hot showers, laundry and mail services.  Other services such as life coaches, support groups, mental health providers, and  money and stress management are provided.  The Harris County Mobile Healthcare for the Homeless Unit comes in twice a month.  Debbie Johnson will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

*Dancing When You Don't Hear the Music - A 1 day retreat presented by The Sisters of the Promise Ministry, headed by Rev. Debbie Daigle.  Learning to dance with God isn't easy.  Learning the dance does mean there is a way through pain and suffering. It means our wounded spirits will dance with joy again. We learn to dance because we are with the Lord of the Dance.  Information about their new retreat focusing about Forgiveness will be available.

*Days For Girls - an outreach that produces washable, sustainable feminine hygiene kits to help girls who live in hard places stay in school during their periods.  

*The Beacon - This is a non-profit organization that services the Houston homeless community through daily services, civil legal aid, counseling and mentoring.  They offer a transitional living program for women incarcerated and released from prison or on parole or from a halfway house.