Beautiful Servants become Women with Wings...

What happens when nearly 20 women get together with the intention of taking time to be in the presence of God and support one another’s faith journey? Prayer happens. Laughter happens. Learning happens. Sharing happens. Visioning happens. God is present. 

That was the result of the “Beautiful Servant, Beautiful Savior Retreat” at Good Shepherd Church in Silver City on July 24-25. God was present in our worship and sharing, in our music and in our taking time to rest and refresh. God was present as we took the time to encourage and support each other on our journey, rather like birds in migration who take turns leading the flock.

During the Embodied Prayer at the retreat, led by Shirin McArthur of Good Shepherd, participants danced to A River of Birds by Libana. The words of this song are a vision for what we hope to become as women of faith…”[a Diocese] of Women with Wings”.

Part of being ‘Women with Wings’ is helping other women. Susan Hutchins, of Borderlands Ministries, shared an exciting idea with women at the Beautiful Servant, Beautiful Savior Retreat. Women of the Diocese are invited to start a Sister-to-Sister pen pal relationship with women who are part of the Coopertivas in Palomas and Anapura Mexico. Participants at the retreat filled 18 gift bags with toiletries, cards, and jewelry gifts for these women and agreed to correspond with women south of the border. If you want to join this new partnership, contact Susan Hutchins. You can view her powerful presentation on YouTube. 

Other events included an overview of the Saint John's Bible by the Very Rev. Mark Goodman, Dean of the Cathedral. Anyone interested in seeing this incredible 7 volume replication of the first fully hand-calligraphied and illuminated Bible since the Middle Ages, is invited to stop by the Cathedral. Four of the volumes were available for women at the retreat and the congregation of Good Shepherd. 

We started our retreat with Laughter Yoga-a great and relaxing way to get to know each other. Later on, Betsy Bayne led the group in singing favorite hymns and explaining the history of the music as the premiere presentation of her ministry "Tuneful Truth". There's nothing like music to bring a group together in worship and relaxation. Betsy is delighted to travel around the diocese to offer this to congregations and groups who want to learn more about their favorite hymns. 

Participants also had an interesting presentation of the history of Good Shepherd in Silver City. As one of the first churches in the area, it has a long history and women played a major part in keeping the parish going.over the years!

The Diocesan Women’s Council will be having a planning retreat on September 12. If you have ideas for activities, speakers, themes, etc., please contact Cindy so we can continue to build a women’s ministry based on what  the Women of the Rio Grande want. Make plans to come to our Fourth Annual Bosque Retreat on November 6-7, led this year by Katrine Stewart

I am excited that many of you have heard the whisper of our Lord to come and spend some time in fellowship and reflection, fun and relaxation. This time at Good Shepherd in Silver City will be an opportunity to be refreshed with time away from our busy lives AND draw closer to God. If you know of other ladies who might be interested in this retreat, please invite them-just let me know so we can have nametags, meals, and supplies for them!
There have been some exciting changes to the schedule since it was published in the registration.

First off: Plan to arrive at Good Shepherd on Friday evening by 5:15PM in order to get your nametag, etc., and be ready for Laughter Yoga at 5:30PM! This is followed by dinner by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew at Good Shepherd (thanks guys)! After dinner, we’ll get to know each other, learn from Harold and his Purple Crayon and Mary Magdalene. Later we'll share a “Make your own Truffle” dessert station!
On Saturday morning, we’ll start at 9AM with Eucharist, followed by a presentation on the beautiful Saint John’s Bible by the Very Rev. Mark Goodman. Members of Good Shepherd and friends in the Silver City area are welcome to come to these two parts of the retreat.
At 11AM, we’ll dive into our retreat activities. The options noted on the schedule will be offered (embodied prayer, learning about hymns, beading, making beauty products, etc.). You can join any of these even if you didn’t sign up ahead of time.
Remember, at lunch we’ll hear from Susan Hutchins about the exciting partnership with women of the Borderlands Ministry. Be sure to bring some toiletries as listed on the registration to donate to these ladies. You’ll find the list at the bottom of this link. We’ll be packaging these and sending along cards, too.
Our activities will continue in the afternoon. We’ll have a break from 4-6PM when you can visit Silver City, visit with friends, relax, or spend some quiet time at the church. At 6PM, we’ll reconvene at the church for dinner and some final fun fellowship, which may include wine and certainly more chocolate…

Those who signed up for massage and/or reflexology will find a schedule for that at check-in. (In case you are wondering the massage therapist shops are an about 10 minute walk from the church. Probably about the same if you drive, by the time you get in and out of the car and drive and park.)
Additionally, if you are interested in having a mani/pedi you can take time for that during the day. Two salons have agreed to assist with this. Appointments can be made by calling the shop(s). They are on an ‘as available’ basis. You’ll find the menu of options. If you are interested in this, you probably want to call sooner rather than later.

This will be a fun time of renewing old friendships, and making new ones!