Mennonite Women of Virginia Retreat

Weekend Retreat for Women of All Ages on Speaking the Truth in Love (based on Ephesians 4:14-16)

Location: Richmond Marriott Short Pump, Glen Allen, VA
Dates: November 11-13, 2022
Sponsored by Mennonite Women of Virginia

Sara Wenger Shenk – Presenter
Sara Wenger Shenk is the current moderator of Virginia Mennonite Conference. She is a practical theologian, preacher, and author of six books, most recently Tongue-Tied: Learning the Lost Art of Talking about Faith (HP, 2021). She was born in Ethiopia to Mennonite missionary educators and was the fifth of eight children. Sara and her husband Gerald served for nine years with Eastern Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Central Committee in Croatia and Bosnia. She served for fifteen years in teaching and administration at Eastern Mennonite Seminary and is president emeritus of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS), where she served for nine years until 2019. Sara is the mother of three children and grandma to six delightful grandchildren. She is retired and is currently living near Waynesboro, Virginia, and is a member at Springdale Mennonite Church.

Rachel Stutzman – Music Leader
Rachel Stutzman looks forward to worshiping together at this year’s womens’ retreat! After a year of separation and division, we long for a chance to praise God together as a community. Rachel and the entire music team pray that our worship will draw our attention from the worries of our own lives towards the love of our awesome God! Rachel currently teaches 4th grade at Waterman Elementary School in Harrisonburg, VA. Outside of school, she enjoys playing games, reading, trying new foods, and exploring local hikes. Rachel and her husband Andry also enjoy leading music at Weavers Mennonite Church.
Schedule

Friday, November 11
4:30-6:30 Registration
7:00-9:00 Session I
Social time – bring a snack to
share and your own drink.

Saturday, November 12
Breakfast on your own; coffee will be provided by the hotel
9:00-12:00 Sessions II and III
12:00-5:00 Lunch on your own & workshops/free time
5:30 Dinner Buffet at hotel 7-7:45 Vespers
8:30 End of Silent Auction

Sunday, November 13
7:30-8:30 Breakfast Buffet at hotel 9:00-11:30 Session IV

WORKSHOP OPTIONS –
Painting (add fee of $12), Balance and Relaxation Exercises, Card Making

BOOK EXCHANGE – Bring a book, take a book! Bring a book you enjoyed reading to give away, and someone else’s book may just become your new favorite book!
SILENT AUCTION – We invite you to bring creative, useful, beautiful items for the silent auction held during the day on Saturday. Proceeds benefit the retreat and scholarship funds.
LOCAL CULTURE – VA Museum of Fine Arts, Maymont Park, Black Hstory Museum & Cultural Center.
OUTDOORS – Richmond Slave Trail, Hollywood Cemetery (walking paths, skillful design and landscape), Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Brown Island with Potterfield Bridge

PRAYER ROOM available for contemplation, silent prayer and meditation will be provided throughout the weekend, prepared by Linda Wenger.