Women’s retreat 13 – 15 September 2024 in Adelboden, Switzerland
summary by Regula Stotz, former World Vice President of WFMUCW
Time to blossom!
30 women were inspired by the beautifully designed invitation flyer and came to the Women’s Retreat in Adelboden, Switzerland. We experienced joyful days of fellowship.
Friday evening – exciting start
I arrived at the introductions with mixed feelings. Each participant came with a picture, an object, a flower that made her blossom when she looked at it. What an exciting start! There was a lively exchange during the aperitif that followed. A delicious dinner was provided for our physical well-being. Hanna Wilhelm then introduced us to the day’s topic in a sensitive manner. There were keywords on flipcharts: appreciating my neighbor, fallow time, longing, cherished by God. Everyone was allowed to write how they felt about them. I couldn’t help but marvel at how much depth I had managed to absorb in such a short space of time.
Saturday morning – Christ as gardener
How am I doing this morning on a scale of 1 – 10? It should definitely be better, after all I’m blossoming! And the weather is getting better anyway, the sun is due to come at midday.
Morning prayer: rest – grow – blossom – stand in awe.
When I looked at the picture «Christ as gardener», I didn’t even notice the figure at first glance. I only saw a mess. But the gardener is indeed on this painting. In the exchange that followed, I marveled at how different we all perceived those details on the picture and thus helped each other to immerse ourselves in it.
This brought to mind a card I had received 24 years ago after I had been diagnosed with cancer: «Thank you for making me so wonderful». It had been very difficult for me to accept this promise back then and sometimes it still is today.
Something very special for me this morning was anointing my hand. Because my hands are my tools.
Workshops
Sharing group
As part of the workshops, there was the offer of a discussion group with the topic «what is close to my heart» in connection with the day’s theme «Christ as gardener». Based on this image, the participants considered what forms are needed to tell people the joyful message that God, the Creator, values us – his creatures – and wants to accompany us in our everyday lives in a variety of ways.
Painting/collage
Which bright colors, which self-collected natural materials do I start with?
It’s exciting to see how a creative path develops while designing. New images of nature emerge as the answer to a creative path.
Hiking
Despite the uncertain weather, seven women set off on the easy path to the Engstligen Falls. We enjoyed the exercise, the fresh air and the conversations that ensued. The upper part of the waterfall was unfortunately hidden in the fog, but the lower part was also impressive with its large volume of water. Everyone returned home safely on foot or by bus.
Saturday evening
In the evening Rev. Urs Ramseier brought us a photo slideshow that showed the theme of «Blooming» in many different facets.
Sunday morning – Go as blessed women
«Going home as blessed women» was the theme of the worship
service. We began this service with a word from the Bible and a few songs (
sometimes a little unfamiliar). Hanna Wilhelm read from the Gospel of John. In between a song and a short meditation with Christa Wichers and Hanna.
Now the surprise: we are allowed to form a bowl out of clay and fill it with water. Our folded paper flowers were placed in the water…and what happened? The flower opens up! In the middle is a small mirror with our first names on it. We can see ourselves, and God can see us too. For God, the mirror image is a likeness. We are created by him.
The nice and solemn service ended with a prayer of intercession.
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