NLC Connect - Sept. 23, 2026

This year was a year of change, and our first-annual NLC Women’s Retreat was held at a cabin in Shaver Lake.

Twenty-two ladies were able to attend the retreat, and it was a weekend to remember. This year it was just “us”: we were not surrounded by women’s groups from other churches; we were not eating with the entire camp in a dining hall; despite not having the traditional retreat experience, we experienced a very special weekend.

Our cabin for the weekend was big, but it was cozy. We played “getting to know you” games; hearty laughter and lively conversation bounced off of the walls as we shared our lives with one another over the weekend. There were wonderful meals shared around the large dining room table, where many stayed after to continue conversations with both old and new friends, and clean up was made light by the many hands that helped.

Saturday afternoon was for togetherness and fun; some chose to hang out at the lake, while others learned to fly fish, go to an awesome museum, or relax at the cabin. And no one knew when Norma would pop up with some crazy challenges for us to compete in. Late nights took on a new energy, where games like Uno and Spoons brought out a new level of fierce (yet friendly) competition.  

 We looked forward to the speaker sessions, where we praised God through simple worship, raising our voices to honor Him. We listened intently and dug into the Word as our speaker for the retreat, Marjorie Ekk, challenged us to fully trust and obey God’s plan for our lives; she shared accounts from the Bible (Moses, Dorcas), current believers, as well as her own life that illustrated God’s faithfulness to those that follow Him. In our small group time, we were able to mull over Marjorie’s message, and share our hearts with each other as we navigated how we could surrender our own will to fully trust God, and be obedient to His direction. Tearful and heartfelt prayers were heard throughout the cabin as women prayed God’s will and blessings over each other.

Retreats always seem to end too soon. Sunday arrived, and clean up and packing commenced; we took some time out before loading up to have one more brief session, where Janet Southard shared heartfelt words for the group to take back with them. 

The retreat was what many of us had hoped and prayed for: a time to fellowship with the women in our church more meaningfully, meet new friends, and to draw closer to God. Thank you, church family, for all the prayers and support that blessed this retreat in so many ways!  

Blessings,

Janice Hoy