Enjoy this short video of our Women’s Retreat this year. Thanks for sharing Karla.

http://youtu.be/D9cVZzycOYs

In conjunction with the North American Division Women’s Ministries Department, “Faith Works” Women’s Ministries at the Lakeland Seventh-day Adventist Church began promoting Abuse Prevention Day at the beginning of August, 2011.  Flyers were sent out and a box was placed in the church foyer for the month to collect personal care items for women living in safe houses.  “Faith Works” Women’s Ministries was in charge of the morning worship service on Abuse Prevention Emphasis Sabbath, August 27, 2011.  Gleaning and expanding upon the sermon made available by the NAD, the big question asked was, “What kind of church is the Lakeland First Seventh-day Adventist Church?  Is it a church that turns its back on abuse issues and those who come for help?  Do the victims get the blame or does the church pretend it doesn’t happen, or are does the church open its arms and hearts to people in abusive situations and offer help both to the abused and the abuser?”  The congregation was challenged to become the eyes, ears, hands and feet of Jesus and take a stand against abuse.
Several people told of family members who were in abusive situations, and comments were heard that more of these types of sermons are needed.
Following the morning worship service, there was a fellowship dinner and a seminar on Domestic Violence, presented by Kate Markley, a licensed clinical social worker; who works with victims of abuse. She brought a variety of handouts, including some on how to recognize an abusive personality and a list of the resources available for victims of abuse as well as resources available for the abusive person.

Over the month preceding this special Sabbath, many personal care items that had been collected.  That day the ladies filled eighteen personal care packets, including the booklet “The Messiah”; which is the gospel of John, to give to people living in safe houses.  These were taken to the local Peace River Rape Crisis Center.  From there, someone from a local safe house met them at an undisclosed location and the bags were taken to the shelter.  The ladies were made aware of opportunities to volunteer at the Rape Crisis Center and be an advocate for victims of domestic violence.
The “Faith Works” Women’s Ministries thank both God and the pastor for making the opportunity available to present this crucial subject to the church, as well as the community, and trust that the effort will plant seeds that will have far reaching results in preventing abuse, and reaching out to those who are victims of it.

Submitted by Carol Glass, Director
Women’s Ministries
Lakeland First Seventh-day Adventist Church

Untold treasures await you at the 23rd Annual Women’s Retreats at Camp Kulaqua.  You won’t want to miss the opportunity to “Discover Hidden Treasure” — both in the form of the relaxing and refreshing weekend get-away and the marvelous speakers and presenters who will give you clues to finding the treasures that are all around you and within you and the best ones of all – the ones that are found “at Jesus feet.”  Spread the word, gather up your girlfriends and begin planning now to be with us in February for one of the best weekends of your whole year.
From Tallahassee to Naples, the members of the Florida Conference Women’s Ministries Executive Committee are working at an increasingly feverish pace on the preparations for the Retreats, held near Gainesville at Camp Kulaqua.

Every year, during the entire month of February. women of the Florida Conference and many other places around the country, come together at Camp Kulaqua to escape the “muchness and manyness” of their lives and spend a rejuvenating weekend with their sisters drawing closer to God in the peaceful surroundings of Camp Kulaqua. The year 2012 is no exception. As there has been for many years, there will be four weekends to choose from – each with its own unique program, but all based on the exciting theme of “At Jesus Feet … discover hidden treasure.”  There is one slight change this year however, the first TWO weekends will be English language weekends, the third in Spanish and for the first time ever – on the fourth weekend – the Florida Conference is joining forces with the Southeastern Conference in a “Sister Act” to present a retreat that will be conducted in French.

It is our desire that we will provide information and resources to the women who attend the Retreat, that will: foster a longing within them to search for the treasures that can be found in Jesus and guide them into a relationship in which they can go home and live a fulfilling life here and now with the treasure of Jesus and God’s Word. We pray that their experience during the weekend will cultivate a yearning to spend an eternity with God, exploring the treasures of the universe and having a face-to-face relationship with Him.

There will be so many things to hear and see and do at the retreats, starting with the registration in the gymnasium.  Tasty refreshments and a little “park” in which to rest from your travel, will restore your energy, so that you will be ready for a full weekend of inspiration, beautiful music, delicious food, peace, prayer, nature, fun, laughter and rest.

During the weekend, you will be able to spend time with your sisters, each evening, after the last meeting lifting your burdens up to God in prayer, close the Sabbath listening to the inspiring piano music of Jemuel Anderson, attending seminars and learning things that will improve or enhance your life, nibble popcorn while you watch an entertaining movie on Saturday night and find a moment to slip away to the charming Prayer Place for a few quiet moments with God, by yourself.

Many of the women who come will bring their teenage daughters, nieces or granddaughters with them, all eager to spend the weekend at the “Teen Track”, a retreat within the retreat for girls, ages 13 – 17. Their weekend will be filled with some speakers who will guide them on their journey to becoming young women of God and activities geared to their age level and interests.
This year for the second time, we are offering a special Seminar just for young adult women between the ages of 18 and 30.

All in all, it is an experience you don’t want to miss – the opportunity to be refreshed and renewed in such a beautiful place. You will leave, having refilled your empty cup at the well of His love – and going home, find ways to share the things you learned with your family, friends, co-workers, fellow church members and neighbors.
Applications, including the Teen Track application, will be available at your local church, on this website under Events and online at www.campkulaqua.com on December 1st. So call your friends, talk to your co-workers, check with your aunts and cousins and make plans to get your application in early – so that you can stay in the lodging you like best.

Click on the Events page for further details on dates and Speakers

Do you know a woman that…

• Has been sexually abused during childhood?
• Memories from the past still trouble her life at present?
• Maybe this experience still affects her relationship with others today?
• Would like to acknowledge the fact that she is no longer a victim but a survivor
• Is ready to be healed from her wounds?
• Has been a victim of domestic violence in the past or at present?
• Wants help to heal from this trauma and learn how to be safe?

If your answer is “yes” to any of the above questions, this retreat is for her

The dates for Hope for Hurting Hearts will be September 9-13 in English and September 27-30 in Spanish.  It is a small educational, supportive and   healing retreat The program is the concept of and was developed by Roberta Fish and Juanita Bartels and is a very effective program, utilizing many mediums of learning.  It begins on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday at noon.  The retreat is heavily subsidized by the Department of Women’s Ministries and is all inclusive. Again the retreat will be held at Still Waters Lodge at Camp Kulaqua and space is limited.

The program facilitator is Annie Perez, RN, MS.  She was trained by Roberta and Juanita and is presently pursuing her Ph.D.

If you know someone who has suffered this trauma in childhood, please refer them to this website and encourage them to attend.   Confidentiality and anonymity will be strictly adhered to.

Event information can be found on the Event page and the application will soon be available for download there.