WELCA Retreat: Empowering Women…Stories That Change Lives
Save the date—October 21 & 22, 2022— for a retreat at Spirit in the Desert organized by Grand Canyon Synod Women of the ELCA. View PDF flier. Click here to register online. Or click here to download and print the paper registration form.
Scholarship opportunities available. The deadline to receive applications is 9/23/2022. View a fillable application form here.
Featured speakers include: Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni, who will lead a Bible study via Zoom from Jerusalem, Rev. Rebecca Boardman, University of Arizona Campus Ministries; and Carolyn Tonneson, with Peter’s Hope/Bamburi Women’s Empowerment Center (Mombasa, Kenya, Africa).
Finally, an event where we can once again be together in person! Plan now to mark your calendars and join your women friends for a time together. We will hear stories of how empowering women has and can change lives. Women of all ages are invited and encouraged to attend. We have meeting space for 90 women, so register early! Spirit in the Desert can accommodate about 60 overnight guests.
Our on-site Chaplain is Rev. Rebecca Boardman from U of A Campus Ministry in Tucson. Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni will lead us in a Bible study (directly from Jerusalem). Additional speakers include Carolyn Tonneson, sharing about the Bamburi Women’s Empowerment program in Mombassa, Kenya, and Shari Jones from Lord of Life in Sun City AZ, introducing us to a program that keeps girls in school by providing reusable menstrual supplies, Days for Girls. We’ll also hear stories from our Latina and Navajo sisters, as well as how the I-Help program from LSS-SW helps women experiencing homelessness.
The campus of Spirit in the Desert lends itself to a retreat experience, with a meditation labryrinth, reflecting walking path, fountains and a striking desert landscape. Nearby recreational opportunities include biking, horseback riding, museums, eclectic dining and shopping.
All meals are buffet style and served in the Richard Andersen Dining Center at Spirit in the Desert. Our program begins after a 6 pm dinner on Friday evening and concludes at 4 pm on Saturday. We’ll have music, a Prayer Room, a Friday evening “afterglow,” and much more. We anticipate that Carolyn Tonneson will be bringing us items to sell from the women in Mombassa, Kenya.
Our worship offering has been designated as 50% to Katie’s Fund at churchwide WELCA, 25% to Peter’s Hope (home of the Bamburi Women’s Empowerment program in Mombassa), and 25% to the Grand Canyon Synod’s Growing Generosity Program, benefitting Lutheran Campus Ministries among other initiatives. Make checks to Women of the ELCA-GCS.
