September 2017
Dear Sisters in Christ and “Katies:”
We’re excited to announce the theme for this coming year’s retreat for the wives and widows of
Indiana District pastors is “EVERY PATH.” It’s scheduled for February 9-11, 2018, featuring
keynote speaker Pat Maier and Bible study leader Heidi Goehmann.
Heidi and Pat will be leaning on God’s truth in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path” as they explore how God’s Word speaks to every one of us ~ in every
calling, every situation, and for every opportunity. Together we will consider our various callings,
going where God calls us, and how a visual and kinesthetic connection with God’s Word might
help us to hear and hold fast to His call. We’ll look at our struggles, how God looks at our
struggles, and how we might lean on His Word in a new way to discover His working in the
midst of every season of life. Finally, we’ll talk about bending our hearts to Christ and His people
– beginning with prayer, staying close to the Word, and opening our hearts wide for whatever
the Spirit is leading in relationships, in our faith walk, and in sharing His Truth and Love.
Our weekend will offer some wonderful, thought-inspiring breakout sessions and also provide
time for contemplation, for connecting with sister pastors’ wives, and for relaxing. We are
returning to the wonderful Inn at DePauw in Greencastle, IN. If you joined us before, you
know what a beautiful place it is for a retreat. We hope you will join us in February for a restful
and inspiring weekend of coming together as Christian women.
Prayerfully consider setting aside some time for yourself and your spiritual growth. It’s not
selfish for you to take some time for yourself as a woman of God. We hope to see you!
Your 2018 Katie Retreat Committee
P.S. You’d like to save money, wouldn’t you? Please take advantage of early registration and register before Dec. 31st!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Pat Maier
Bio: Pat Maier enjoys writing, drawing, and "imagining" to
inspire others in their walk with Jesus. A pastor's wife and
former Lutheran educator, she believes that the creative use
of language and art - when connected with God’s Word - can
touch the heart, promote understanding, and bring about joy
and connection. She is currently involved in planning and
presenting at retreats and women's events in the Michigan
District, as well as teaching about Visual Faith in the Great
Lakes area.
Pat recently completed a series of margin art to be included in
The Enduring Word Bible by CPH, coming out this spring.
She finds great joy in nature, gardening, and time spent with
family. She lives with her husband, David near Ann Arbor, MI,
where he serves as President of the Michigan District LCMS.
They have four children, two sons-in-love, and two
grandchildren (so far!)
BIBLE STUDY LEADER
Heidi Goehmann
Bio: Deaconess Heidi Goehmann is a licensed social worker and mental health care provider, a writer, speaker, wife, mom, forgiven and loved child of God. She received her deaconess certification, as well as her bachelor's degree in theology and psychology from Concordia University Chicago, and her master's in social work from the University of Toledo with an emphasis on children and families and social justice. Heidi has worked in a variety of clinical settings including trauma treatment for abuse and sexual assault, cross-cultural research, Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing, and home based therapy. She has also served in various ministry capacities including college student ministry, women's and children's ministry, and missionary work in Haiti. Heidi is the founder of I Love My Shepherd Ministries and ilovemyshepherd.com which provides resources to get women in the Word, strengthen marriages, and broaden our understanding of
mental health. Heidi serves the Lutheran Church -- Missouri synod in the areas of church worker wellness and church revitalization. Heidi's passions include her husband, David, her kids – Macee, Jonah, Jyeva, and Ezekiel, red wine, dark chocolate, Jesus, Star Wars, and new ideas...not necessarily in that order.
EVERY PATH
Pat & Heidi will be presenting this together (Friday evening and Saturday morning)
Session 1: Every Path
Heidi will facilitate study and discussion around the Word, looking into our various vocations - wife, mom, citizen, pastor's wife, neighbor, friend etc. We’ll look deeper into Scripture to understand God’s call and paths he introduces in our lives, sorting through the jumble of balancing the path of each day with God’s call to eternity. Pat will introduce a new “path” called visual faith, explaining how visual prayer and Bible journaling might be used as spiritual disciplines to bring blessing into our time in God’s Word for even a moment in the day, to be grounded in His Light and discernment.
Session 2: Every Struggle
We all face struggles. Let’s look in the Word and see what in the world God may be doing outside a season of struggle, in the middle of it, and when the new morning has dawned (and it does!). Heidi will lead us to see how God is at work in the struggles of life with His Hope and how He might see the art of struggling differently than we do. Pat will share how creative Bible study might help with some of the daily struggles in our faith life, as well as provide a way for us to keep the promises of His Word (not only as head knowledge but also as heart knowledge) close in our hearts and minds as we face life’s challenges.
Session 3: Every Inclination
Our final focus will be on drawing near to Christ, in His Word and with His people. Heidi will explore the word “inclination” in Psalm 119 and throughout Scripture. What does it mean to
bend our hearts to Christ and open our hearts to His people. Pat will challenge us to bend from our “usual” to try a new form of prayer, and then use it as a faith tool to take prayer with us into each day as we share Jesus’ love and blessing with others.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
SESSION: BLUE– “Decorating with Garnishes”
Harriet Armstrong
Description: When God spoke, His Word created a world
which was rich with color. The vegetation showed forth His
handiwork. Not only was the vegetation beautiful to behold,
but it also supplied the nutrients needed to help sustain life.
Come and use this vegetation to create garnishes which
will even serve as centerpieces for our Saturday evening
meal! Not only will you learn to make such garnishes, but
the centerpieces will be a group effort of those attending
the session. (Note: The picture is of a centerpiece done by
a group with no previous experience with doing such
garnishes!) Come enjoy the fellowship!
Bio: Harriet Armstrong is the wife
of John Armstrong, Grace
Columbus, the mother of two
grown daughters, the grandmother to one wonderful grandson, and the
Health & Human Sciences Educator for Purdue Extension in
Bartholomew County. Since graduating from Purdue in Consumer & Family Sciences Education,
she has taught in the high school, community college, university, and adult education. She
enjoys helping with Sunday School and being active outdoors.
Offered ONLY at 12:30-1:50 p.m.
SESSION: YELLOW – “Visual Faith 101: Let’s Get Started”
Pat Maier Description: Come for a little bit more of
hands-on visual prayer or Bible journaling, as
we learn what it looks like to slow down and
linger a bit longer in God's Word. We'll start
with some practice on "being still." Resources
will be provided for you to find your "entry
point" -- a prayer card, a prayer by the month
design, or a Bible margin template, and there
will be a variety of art supplies to try out. Pat
will share information about some basic
supplies used by Bible journalers, and
demonstrate a few techniques for lettering
and adding color. We'll keep it informal,
interactive, and fun!
Bio: Pat Maier,
our keynote
speaker, enjoys
writing, drawing,
and "imagining" to inspire others in their walk with Jesus. A pastor's
wife and former Lutheran educator, she believes that the creative
use of language and art -- when connected with God’s Word -- can
touch the heart, promote understanding, and bring about joy and
connection. She is currently involved in planning and presenting at
retreats and women's events in the Michigan District, as well as
teaching about Visual Faith in the Great Lakes area.
Pat recently completed a series of margin art to be included in The
Enduring Word Bible by CPH, coming out this spring. She finds
great joy in nature, gardening, and time spent with family. She lives with her husband, David
near Ann Arbor, MI, where he serves as President of the Michigan District LCMS. They have
four children, two sons-in-love, and two grandchildren (so far!)
Offered at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
SESSION: RED – “Praying the Psalms” Rachel Henderson
Description: What better escape for women on a
retreat than God’s Holy Word through the Psalms?
After a brief historical/contextual lens focus on the
psalms, we will dwell and meditate on Psalm
4,8,16,25,27,34 (all from Book 1 of the Psalter). This
session will include short clips (audio and video) that
capture the timeless message of the Lord in some
modern day contexts. Thanks be to God that He was,
and is, and is to come! Take a deep breath (Ruach - Spirit) and pause in the presence of the
Psalms.
Bio: Rachel Henderson has been Pastor Stephen
Henderson's wife (Trinity - Crown Point) for just shy
of 14 years. Though "pastor's wife" was never
meant to be her full identity, the opportunity within
that role has opened the door to incredible
opportunities to see people in their most faithful
states and their most broken places. Glory be to
God! She has 3 energetic children (Noah (11),
Hannah (9), Jonah (6)) and delights in welcoming
other children in their home feeling that that is where
the Lord has placed her. She loves running,
bookkeeping, campfires, reading her Bible, coloring, and coffee.
Offered at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
SESSION: PURPLE – CRAFT - Patrice Wagner/Sherry Shadday Safety Pin Jewelry
Description: No need to bring anything. Patrice and Sherry will show you how. Cost is $5.00, payable at the retreat. Offered at 3:00 p.m. only.
EXERCISE – Jeanne Servais Fitness instructor Jeanne Servais will again be here to lead us in a class that will help you stretch and relax. There is no extra charge! Offered at 3:00 p.m. only. Note: Start time will actually be 3:15 p.m. so you can change your clothes.
ALSO THIS YEAR…
CHILDHOOD PICTURE DISPLAY: Please bring along a childhood picture of yourself.
(Think school picture or a confirmation picture?) We will display them on the wall in a “frame” that Heidi will make. ALSO AT THIS YEAR’S RETREAT:
Express Yourself with Music: Like to sing? Once again this year we want to include
special music by a choir and instrumentalists. See the brochure for the schedule and to indicate
which part you sing or let us know what instrument you play.
Sunday Morning Worship: As always, our Sunday morning worship service is sponsored
by an area LCMS congregation and we look forward to President Dan May preaching.
Are you on Facebook? “Like” the Katie Retreat page and keep up with the news! It’s a great way to find out who from
your area is attending, wants to carpool, etc.!