The ECW Retreat on Healing
March 13-15, 2009
a report by Deanna Galloway,
President of St. James, Marion's ECW

Lori, Linda, Carol, Deanna, Norma, Carolyn, Sarah, Ila, Carol, Teresa, and Natalie.

I believe I speak for all of the women who attended: we had an awesome weekend at Toddhall, and the Hale Deanery was well represented ...

We were fortunate to have with us Sarah & Ila, Norma, Carolyn, Teresa, Carol Marshall, Linda, Lori, Carol Goodman, Natalie, and Deanna ... but we certainly missed our ECW friends who did not get to attend this time...

Our weekend provided lots of time for meditation and reflection, time to get to know each other better (and those from other Parish in the Springfield Diocese), as well as go through the Stations of the Cross in a beautiful area located outside. 

On Friday night, The Rev. Mollie Ward (ECW Chaplain) opened the retreat with a warm welcome and opening comments about what to expect for the weekend...

On Saturday morning, our own Mother Sherry Black presented a powerful session on Spiritual Healing ... we were moved beyond words ... Next, The Rev. Ann Tofani spoke to us about Inner Healing and gave us some related scripture to refer to at the retreat and to take home with us and share ... Then Jan Goossens shared with us her experiences on the topic of Physical Healing!

On Sunday morning, The Rev. Mollie Ward from Normal/Bloomington led us through the Public Service of Healing and Holy Eucharist in the beautiful chapel at Toddhall ... imagine an entire service led by and attended only by women! 

It truly was an incredible weekend filled with words and music, laughter and tears, leaving old things behind and starting with new beginnings!