Promise of New Life Women's Retreat
Saturday March 21, 2020
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Christ United Methodist Church
14506 East 39th St. Independence, MO 64055
816.461.1101
Life can be amazing, and life can be devastating. One certainty about life is that it ebbs and flows and is ever changing. Each person’s journey through life holds a unique and sacred story within. Come to this retreat prepared to be empowered and inspired as our speakers share their story of how God’s promise of new life became their stronghold through difficult times. Register online HERE
Keynote speakers will be Shari Billington and Lisa Wilt. Elaine Howlett will provide the worship message, "The Joy of the LORD is your strength." Attendees will also choose 2 workshops to attend.
Shari Billington
“The secret of success is to do the common things, uncommonly well”
Shari is the co-founder and featured speaker of Rooted and Connected. She is originally from Missouri, but now lives in Naples, Florida. She has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. She shares her story of loss and hope, struggle and joy, doubt and faith with women’s groups across the country. Shari is an award-winning speaker, whose passion is to communicate the simple idea that life is a journey.
“We experience the deepest joy when we allow ourselves to embrace the whole journey---all of it. My heart has felt the pain of emptiness and hopelessness. My feet have lost their balance again and again on this journey. Divorce crossed my path first. I then stumbled through my son’s battle with drug and alcohol addiction, and then his death at age 22. I got up; I lost my balance again. Later I began thinking about retirement, but soon after, I arrived at a place called bankruptcy.
Life is a journey. Through great sorrow and much chaos, I have learned deep joy and gratitude. God makes beautiful things even when it feels like everything is falling apart. I love sharing this story! Together we can make the journey of life less lonely! Together we struggle to put away feelings of shame, fear, and unworthiness. When things are laid aside, we can see more clearly that God’s love does not have an off button. This love gives me the freedom to share my story with you, in hopes that you will be inspired to share your story with others!”
Lisa Wilt
Lisa is an inspirational speaker and author of multiple books. She was awarded the gold medal by Illumination Book Awards. These awards honor the year’s best new titles written and published with a Christian worldview.
Lisa’s radio show, W.O.W. Words, airs daily to lighten the load for those on the go. Her podcasts and blogs can be found on Life885.com. Lisa is founder and president of Rx for the Soulful Heart, a ministry to encourage weary people and worthy ministries.
For over 32 years, Lisa has worked full-time as an award-winning pharmacist in community pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry. By grace, Lisa and her husband, a physician, have two grown children who have followed in their medical footpaths. Of all her accomplishments, the title that most defines Lisa is, CHILD OF GOD. As her family will tell you, Lisa’s weaknesses are thrift-store bargains and Cookie Dough ice cream.
Lisa will be sharing from her book, Glimmers of Glory: Discovering God Moments in the Gloomy.” She will talk about RAINBOWS, how they are formed, and what the promise of the rainbow means for each of us. She will then talk about how rain nourishes life just as trials can nourish faith. She will include the devotion from her book titled, “Captain Crunch and Cancer. When Life Knocks You Down”.
Promise of New Life Women's Retreat will be on Saturday March 21, 2020 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Christ United Methodist Church, 14506 East 39th St. Independence, MO 64055. Cost is $30.00 per person which includes a light lunch. Register online HERE
Along with speakers, women will choose two workshops to attend from the list below:
#1 Christian Yoga – Kristen Bomgardner
“So, whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
I Corinthians 10:31
Yoga has become increasingly popular among all types of people, but questions remain: Does yoga conflict with Christianity? Can I incorporate yoga into my daily life without compromising my values as a Christian? How do I do this?
These questions, and more, will be addressed in this session. No yoga mats necessary.
#2 The Church as Supportive Community – David Howlett
One of the needs of mourning is to surround the one grieving with ongoing support. The journey of sharing grace is long and requires compassionate and empathetic companions. Maybe you would like to know what to say and what not to say to someone who is grieving. David will share some ideas on how the church can better walk alongside someone who is hurting.
#3 Diagnosis: Cancer - Sarah Hall
Sarah will share her own personal experiences of receiving this feared diagnosis. First for herself and then for her husband.
#4 Empty Nests - Full Hearts – Lisa Wilt
When our youngest child grows up and leaves home it is, at times, hard to find our new
purpose in life. Lisa will share from her own experience of making the necessary adjustments
when the nest becomes empty.
#5 Mourning Well So That We Can Live Well – David Howlett
Mourning and grief are not the same thing. Grief is the natural response that a person experiences on the inside when a loss occurs. Mourning is the necessary action taken to help bring healing. Mourning helps us move forward and to incorporate our loss into healthy living.
#6 Spiritual Grief – Elaine Howlett
It is natural to experience spiritual pain when a loss occurs. We may question, “Why? Will I be able to have a meaningful life or live with purpose again? Where was God?” Elaine will share how questioning and even doubting will help clear the path in the journey back to authentic faith.
#7 Suicide Grief – Mary Blankenship
Mary will be sharing the loss of her daughter, Jennifer, by suicide. She will be using Dr. Wolfelt’s book on suicide grief to share ten helps for dealing with death by suicide.
#8 Supporting the Caregiver - Barbara Koirtyohann
The caregiver of a loved one with a prolonged illness is often overlooked as someone needing support and personal care themselves. Barbara shares her journey of personal experience and insights of how important it is to understand the needs of showing compassion and help to the caregiver.