APPLETON, Wisconsin—“Share the Hope” was the focus of a women’s interdenominational retreat sponsored by the Fox Valley Women’s Ministry April 23 to 25.
The sixth annual retreat took place at the Wisconsin Lions Camp Retreat and Conference Center in Rosholt, Wisconsin.
Friday evening, April 23, began with praise and worship celebrated by 37 women. Fellowship followed the service where each attendee was asked to interview someone they didn’t know and then introduce that person to the rest of the group.
Each day was filled with praise and worship through singing, skits, dance, offerings and prayer.
First Peter 3:15 was the theme scripture, which challenges us to “always be ready with an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
The first speaker Saturday morning was Doris Steinberg, co-founder and executive vice president of Sonshine Ministries, based in Menasha, Wisconsin. Doris shared a way to reach out to others in the community by sponsoring Christmas Gatherings and presented a demonstration for the group.
Our second speaker was Cindie Haese, who has spoken to numerous women’s groups and college ministries. Cindie shared her spiritual journey and how God intervened in her life and family in so many ways that she is recording these divine encounters so future generations may know and believe.
“I have been touched to the very core of my being with the hearts of the women I met this weekend,” Cindie said. “Their faith and courage and their pursuit of God has awed and humbled me deeply.”
Sunday morning’s speaker was Becky Abney, who serves the Fox Valley congregation as a member of the pastoral team and is a senior training instructor at Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Two Rivers. The focus of her message was “Becoming a Contagious Christian.” Becky shared many ways that we can reach out to those around us and share the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As Vivian Malcomson of Rochester, Minnesota, said, “Becky really helped us all feel as one body.”
The retreat concluded with a communion service—remembering the sacrifice of our Savior who has brought us all together. Tricia Cole.
FOX VALLEY WOMEN'S RETREAT
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