Each spring the women of Trinity embark on a retreat where they can get away and connect with other women from church and most importantly with their Creator. They go to Kenbrook Bible Camp in Lebanon, PA. The retreat was March 8 to 10. Elizabeth Garn spoke to over 70 women from our churches in Harrisburg, Hershey and Mount Joy.
Shattered Images, Restored Hearts: Breaking free of the image of good, to become the image of God – here is a little sample of what the women heard from Elizabeth on the retreat: For years I struggled to be the Christian woman I thought I was supposed to be. I worked, served, and tried with all my might to live up to the standard set by godlier women around me. I attended retreats, read books, and joined Bible studies all designed to help me understand what it means to be a woman of God. Somehow, the harder I tried, the more burdened I became. I began to suffocate under the weight of people’s expectations and ideas – ideas that focused more on what I should or should not do than on the condition of my heart. It was a weight that left me utterly defeated, a broken mess of a Christian woman. Eventually, the truth of God’s Word began to break through the chorus of well-meaning but misguided ideas. I started to understand that we were not created to live lives of comparison and shame, or to run ourselves ragged trying to live up to impossible standards. God’s plan for us is more amazing, more exciting, and more freeing than I’d ever dreamed. God created us to live as his image bearers. Understanding this truth in new ways drastically changed my life.
It was a great time for the women of Trinity, Hershey and Proclamation Presbyterian Churches to come together and fellowship with each other and also to be challenged and refreshed in their relationships with Jesus Christ.
Look below for an opportunity to listen to the sessions from the women’s retreat from this past year.
Session #1
Session #2
Session #3
Session #4
Session #5