February 26-28, 2016

First Presbyterian Church

Women’s Retreat

Retreat

Leader

Sabbath Keeping

MaryAnn McKibben

Dana, a 2003 graduate

of Columbia Seminary, is a sought

after speaker, preacher, and writer

around issues of leadership, faith

formation, and congregational

transformation. MaryAnn served as a

pastor for 12 years, is the author of

Sabbath in the Suburbs, and also

finds time to share her thoughts on

her blog, The Blue Room

(theblueroomblog.org). She says, “I’m

a writer, spouse, mother of three,

muffin maker and occasional

marathoner. I am a Presbyterian

pastor whose spiritual inner child is

secretly Quaker. (I guess the secret’s

out.) I believe in the expansive love

of God that knows no bounds.”

"Life felt like a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle with 600 pieces,” writes MaryAnn McKibben Dana in the introduction of her book, Sabbath in the Suburbs. As she considered her family's frenetic suburban existence--a relentless list of work, errands, carpool, dishes, email, bills, yardwork--she knew something had to change.

Come to me, all you who are

weary and burdened and

I will give you rest.

-Matthew 11:28

Women’s Retreat Weekend Schedule: Friday 4:00pm Tea time in the lobby of Carolina Hotel 4:00-7:30pm Check-in 7:30-9:00pm Opening session and worship Saturday 9:30am-12:00pm Morning session and worship Noon-6:00pm Free time 3:00pm Optional group activity 4:00pm Tea time 6:30-7:30pm Dinner 7:30-9:00pm Evening session and worship 9:00pm Dessert and fellowship Sunday 9:30am-10:30am Closing session and worship Noon Check-out

How to Register:

1. Sign up and pay on the church website, firstonthird.org. The registration of $75 is due by January 15. If you need assistance, call Amy Osborne, 762-6688X136.

2. Call Pinehurst, 855-969-3085, to reserve your room.

Room rates per night: $95 double/$144 single $214 double with 50 minute spa treatment $273 single with spa treatment Registration is NOT complete until both steps 1 and 2 are completed. What is included: • Breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday • Dinner Saturday What is not included: Friday dinner and Saturday lunch will be the responsibility of each participant. The hotel will have options available.

Join Us!

Please join us at our second annual women’s retreat for renewal and inspiration! We will be back at the Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst with the fitting theme of “finding rest in our busy lives.” We are delighted to have pastor, writer and speaker, MaryAnn McKibben Dana join us for conversations on Sabbath Keeping and also look forward to last year’s musicians, Hannah Lomas and Bre Brack, returning to share their talents in worship. Jen Mueske, our New Life band director, will also participate, so it will be a wonderful weekend. Whether you are single, married, young, or not so young, all of us have at some time (or maybe regularly!) felt overwhelmed by commitments we place upon ourselves and those im-posed on us externally. MaryAnn will share the journey she and her family took to purposefully carve out holy time in their busy week. We will hear practi-cal tips regarding what worked and did-n’t work but also grow in our under-standing of the restorative power of Sabbath time and the great blessing it can be in our lives.

Questions? Contact Elaine Hogan

Phone: 772-9398

Email: phogan2@ec.rr.com