September 2016 Dear Sisters in Christ and Katies: We re excited to announce the theme for this coming year s retreat for the wives and widows of Indiana District pastors is KATIE & MARTIN. It s scheduled for February 10-12, 2017, featuring keynote speaker Jan Struck and Bible study leader Lisa Lessing. Jan will present Katie Luther: Nun-Sense, helping us meet Katie as the practical lady who used the "education" she received at the convent to provide a loving, stable, and welcoming home for Martin, her children, and their extended family. Jan s Bible study, based on Psalm 16:8, will show us how we need not be shaken. Our weekend will offer some wonderful, thought-inspiring break-out sessions and also provide time for contemplation, for connecting with sister pastors wives, and for relaxing. We are returning to the wonderful Inn at DePauw in Greencastle, IN. If you joined us before, you know what a beautiful place it is for a retreat. We hope you will join us in February for a restful and inspiring weekend of coming together as Christian women. Prayerfully consider setting aside some time for yourself and your spiritual growth. It s not selfish for you to take some time for yourself as a woman of God. We hope to see you! Your 2017 Katie Retreat Committee P.S. You d like to save money, wouldn t you? Please take advantage of early registration and register before Dec. 31 st!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Jan Struck Bio: Jan Struck s earliest memories revolve around her church home in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she experienced her elementary education in a two-room, Lutheran school. Her strong Christian background led her to Valparaiso University where she received her theater/english degree. Jan s Life Story has included the blessing of mothering three children, teaching school, working secretarial and administrative jobs, and experiencing single parenthood after divorce. Additional surprises from a loving and delightful Creator have brought the joy of a second marriage and a combined family totaling six grown children, their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and five greatgrandchildren. She is delighted in having a lifetime of bizarre experiences and an ability to see humor and irony in her journey. Jan is retired from her career as a trainer/consultant in healthcare technology. She is truly blessed to serve the Lord as a popular speaker leading Bible studies, workshops, and women s retreats. Jan has traveled extensively in the States, as well as Canada. Her involvement with the Lutheran Women s Missionary League has enabled her to bring the gift of laughter to numerous district and national conventions. With over 40 years of experience in teaching, motivating, and entertaining her audiences, Jan brings a fresh approach to the journey of faith and uses her sense of humor as she shares her life with fellow travelers and leaves them laughing. Her trust and faith in Christ is her reason to make a joyful noise unto God! Katie Luther: Nun-Sense Jan will present the practical lady who used the "education" she received at the convent to provide a loving, stable, and welcoming home for Martin, her children, and their extended family.
BIBLE STUDY LEADER Lisa Lessing Bio: Lisa is a native Okie, born and raised in Tulsa, OK. She has been married for 34 years to Reed. They have two daughters, a son, and a son-in-love, all living in Fort Collins, Colorado. Lisa received her master s in counseling from Covenant Seminary and has worked as a licensed professional counselor in St. Louis. Currently she works as a counselor for Cross Connections in Fort Wayne. Along with writing and leading retreats, she enjoys playing the upright bass for St. Michael's bluegrass band. Her heart is to come alongside women to help and encourage them toward a deeper and richer Jesus-filled journey! We Will Not Be Shaken: Katie and Me Based on Psalm 16:8 "I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."
BREAKOUT SESSIONS SESSION: YELLOW Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate? Harriet Armstrong Description: Personal belongings often have special meaning for individuals and family members. Planning to pass on such items treasured wedding photo, Grandpa's fishing tackle box, or a well-used yellow pie plate can be challenging, and may lead to family conflict. This session provides practical information about the inheritance and transfer of non-titled personal property. These blessings are gifts, and we will look at ways their transfer can be a blessing not a hardship. Bio: Harriet Armstrong is the wife of John Armstrong, Grace Columbus, the mother of two grown daughters, and the Health & Human Sciences Educator for Purdue Extension in Bartholomew County. Since graduating from Purdue in Consumer & Family Sciences Education, she has taught in the high school, community college, university, and adult education. She enjoys helping with Sunday School and being active outdoors. Offered at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. SESSION: RED Table Talk Lisa Lessing Description: Luther introduced Table Talk as meaningful conversations over a meal. From the mundane to the profound, we will talk about having conversations that flourish and build connection - all at mealtime! Jesus-filled journey! Bio: Lisa Lessing is a native Okie, born and raised in Tulsa, OK. She has been married for 34 years to Reed. They have two daughters, a son, and a sonin-love, all living in Fort Collins, Colorado. Lisa received her master s in counseling from Covenant Seminary and has worked as a licensed professional counselor in St. Louis. Currently she works as a counselor for Cross Connections in Fort Wayne. Along with writing and leading retreats, she enjoys playing the upright bass for St. Michael's bluegrass band. Her heart is to come alongside women to help and encourage them toward a deeper and richer Offered at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
SESSION: BLUE Finding Focus in the Fishbowl: Uniquely Designed for an Audience of ONE Vicki Jameson & Panel Description: Gain insights and inspiration as we discuss living as distinctively created children of God, wives, mothers, family members, friends and colleagues. As pastors wives with our oftentimes fishbowl lives, how can we successfully handle expectations (realistic or unrealistic), praise, criticism, friendship, isolation, judgment, encouragement, setting boundaries and priorities? Discuss the joy of following Jesus in the unique style He designed just for you. This breakout session will give all participants a chance to share experiences, ideas, thoughts and encouragement. A panel of four Indiana pastors wives will get the conversation started. Then, we will divide into small groups for further discussion. Offered at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. Bio: Vicki Jameson has enjoyed being a seminary wife-turned-pastor s wife for 30 years. After serving congregations in Chesterfield, MO, Crown Point, IN, and Eureka, MO, Vicki and her husband John moved to their new church family at Christ Lutheran Church, Anderson, IN, in 2014. Vicki has a degree in Art Education from Illinois State and studied cross-cultural evangelism at Concordia, Irvine. She has been an art and preschool teacher, a director with International Student Ministry-St. Louis and currently works as a Business Services Representative in workforce services. Vicki and John have four children and one grandchild. They enjoy jogging Trail 5 together at Mounds State Park, exploring new places to eat with friends and family, and cheering for their children and grandchild in all of their endeavors. SESSION: PURPLE CRAFT - Patrice Wagner Hot/Cold Pad Description: Come make a hot/cold pad. It can be used with a hot mug, a cold wine glass, or just as a regular hot pad. No need to bring anything. Patrice Wagner will show you how. Cost is $5.00, payable at the retreat. Offered at 3:00 p.m. only. EXERCISE Jeanne Servais Fitness instructor Jeanne Servais will again be here to lead us in a class that will help you stretch and relax. There is no extra charge! Offered at 3:00 p.m. only. Note: Start time will actually be 3:15 p.m. so you can change your clothes.
SATURDAY EVENING S ENTERTAINMENT: Our Saturday evening entertainment this year will be provided by Credo. Credo (Latin for I Believe) is a men's group based out of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Indianapolis. In addition to singing for worship services, Credo does some live performances and has appeared on Worship for Shut-Ins. ALSO AT THIS YEAR S RETREAT: Express Yourself with Music: Like to sing? Once again this year we want to include special music by a choir and instrumentalists. See the brochure for the schedule and to indicate which part you sing or let us know what instrument you play. Get Your Katie Shirt: We are offering a one-time opportunity to purchase a Katie Retreat Shirt! The shirts will be royal blue with the Katie logo on the front left. There is a choice of short- or long-sleeved t-shirts and short- or long-sleeved polo shirts. The t-shirts are standard unisex sizes, and the polos are in ladies sizes. Orders are due January 20 th with your Katie Retreat registration form. Please add the total for the shirt to your registration total. NOTE: WE CAN TAKE NO LATE ORDERS, EVEN IF YOU REGISTER LATE FOR THE RETREAT. NO ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN AFTER THE RETREAT. Sunday Morning Worship: As always, our Sunday morning worship service is sponsored by an area LCMS congregation and we look forward to President Dan May preaching. Are you on Facebook? Like the Katie Retreat page and keep up with the news!