02/17/2026
Recently, I have been replaying a conversation in my head from one of my early years as the Ladies' Ministry Coordinator at Calvary.
I was sitting with a group of friends and we were discussing our upcoming Ladies' Retreat. At that moment, someone entered into the conversation and began to share with me their disdain for the term, RETREAT, as it pertains to the event. They thought the word, ADVANCE, would be a more appropriate description and felt strongly that I should change the name.
I can chuckle about that now, but at the time, being new to this role and still finding my voice, I was a bit intimidated. Though I did not respond, I stood my ground and left things as they were. I mean, I get it. I see what she was trying to say and it sounds like a good idea, except for the fact that she missed the point of a Retreat, entirely.
Meriram Webster contains several definitions for this word. Here are the two that best descibe this event.
: a place of privacy or safety : refuge
: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director
Friends, as much as we pour into others... As much as we give ourselves away to the purposes of God in our families, our places of employment, and civic responsibilities... We must aslo give ourselves to being poured into by surrounding ourselves with others who are also on the journey of becoming more like Jesus. We must learn to retreat, not to shrink away from our lives, but to have our lives enriched and refreshed so that we recive new grace, new vision, and the edification that fortifies us in ways that doing life alone never could.
This is why we retreat. Jesus modeled this so well. In scripture we see multiple passages where he took time away to be alone with the Father and times where he withdrew to be alone with his disciples - away from the crowds. (Mark 3:7, Mark 6:31–32, Matthew 17:1)
Why would he choose to pull away from the clamor of people constantly wanting to hear Him speak, to perform miracles, and just to be near him? I wonder if even in His divinity, His humanity craved the intimate time alone with those also on the journey with Him? I believe He was showing us that it is okay to retreat to quiet places for the sake of renewal and restoration so that the noiise isn't all we encounter. And, I believe he meant for us to do it together.
Deep community fuels us. It inspires us. It encourages us. It challenges us.
Could you use some of that? I think we all can on some level. This is why we host retreats.
Here is what you can expect at Ladies' Retreat.
• Expext to encounter the Lord as He meets you right where you are.
• Expect to be inspired by the stories of others as they share how the Lord has shaped their life using the community around them.
• Expect to make new friends.
• Expect to hear a word from Sadjah and from Cheryl that will not only bless and encourage you, but a word that will also challenge you and stir up your faith.
• Expect to be showered with fun treats and surprises that will make you feel like the weekend was planned just for you.
• Expect to leave refreshed and renewed.
• Expect a resort style experience tailor made just for you because you get to decide. On Saturday afternoon of Retreat, you will choose how you spend your time. You can hang by the pool, visit the animals, go antiquing, schedule a visit to the spa, take advantage of one of the classes Milk & Honey offers, or simply choose to take a nap. The possibilities are numerous!
The Lord wants to pour into you in this weekend. And through worship, our talks, and time spent together around the table, we will do our best to offer up our adoration o the Father. Our desire for this Retreat weekend is that you will leave on Sunday feeling refreshed in your mind, body, soul, and spirit and that you will encounter the Living God in a profound and lasting way. We are doing everything we can to create an atmosphere where that is the end result.
Come join us for Retreat, but please don't gatekeep! Invite others to come along on the journey with you. Spots are almost filled, so please don't hesitate to sign up today.
REGISTER
https://calvaryhouston.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/b90784a9-33c4-4413-81f9-8efeafc57113
