The Annual Disciples Women’s Retreat was held October 11-13, at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The theme was “Sowing Seeds of Faith.” The scripture for the theme was “Plant the good seeds of righteousness and you will harvest a crop of love.” Hosea 10:12. We had the best attendance since Covid with 89 attendees. Women, ages twelve years of age and up, from the Region of Virginia and some ladies from North Carolina. The retreat was well planned with a strong committee with variety of various talents. We were blessed with three diverse keynote speakers during the retreat. On Friday evening Rev. Dr. Penny Ziemer started off the retreat by speaking on “Planting the Seeds.” On Saturday morning Rev. Ruth Duefiez-Harrison spoke on “Sowing the Seeds” and on Saturday evening Rev. Merinda Easley spoke on “Harvesting the Seeds.” Claretta Witherspoon did a presentation her Woman-to-Woman trip to Japan and Korea. Wanona Rogers-Redd did a presentation on her Women’s -Action-Web trip 2024: Experience on the US-Mexico Border. It was a Spirit filled retreat with lots of fellowship and fun. We met new friends, and visited with old acquaintances. To help strengthen individual Disciples Women’s groups, the whole Ministry and to start new Disciples Women’s groups we networked and shared new ideas. We sang, prayed, and learned together. Friday evening, we enjoyed a coffee house with wonderful music. During the day on Saturday, we attended workshops. Saturday evening there a Birthday Party celebrating 150 years of Disciple Women’s Ministries!!! Sunday morning worship closed the retreat with a sermon ” Stay Connected to the Vine” by District IV’s Rev. Deborah Clark. We worshiped with music, prayer, offering, and communion by intinction and lighting candles for women who passed away this year. It was an overall spiritual, uplifting, and inspiring retreat. A special thanks to the awesome retreat committee that helped make all this happen!!
Margretha Kellam, President, Virginia Disciples Women’s Cabinet
Flo Parcell, Communications and Website, VDWM’s Cabinet