By Jenny Witman
I am still relatively new to Blacknall, so while many faces I see on Sunday mornings are starting to feel familiar, many are not yet linked to names or stories. After a season for all of us of being remote with COVID, and perhaps especially for those who, like me, are new to the church, the Women's Retreat will be a wonderful opportunity for all of us to become more connected and for each of us to feel like we are surrounded by our people.
This will be my first retreat at Valle Crucis (so if you are a newbie, you won't be alone!). I'm going in part because I was really encouraged by the in-town retreat last year. The Circle Groups were carefully guided so that they were a comfortable and safe place to share. The variety of things to do (or to choose not to do in favor of a nap) helped me feel revived and refreshed. Those same structures will be in place this year to carve out time for fellowship and renewal. The best part of last fall's retreat was the next Sunday morning, when I recognized more faces, realized I knew more people, and felt a deeper part of the community that makes Blacknall a sweet place to be. This is not the only opportunity to grow closer as a church family in this way, but if you can join us, it will be a wonderful gift to yourself and to us.
Jenny is a member of Blacknall
The Women's Retreat is Nov. 11-13 at the Valle Crucis Conference Center in Banner Elk. The cost for the retreat is $150. Scholarships are available. Questions? Email Becky bgould@blacknall.org. Register now. The deadline in Nov. 1.