Women's Bible Study: 1 Timothy
September 13, 2023 – April 24, 2024
Women's Retreat Recap
It Happened March 8 & 9, 2024
We gathered together with other women for a weekend away from the cares of daily life. It happened at Ridgewood Church on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Women drew near to God in worship. They came and heard truth and some were changed. Some came and experienced the Holy Spirit in new ways. Many had their thirst quenched in the presence of God. Many came and found what they didn't know they needed!
Don't miss this event next year. The dates are yet to be determined, but we'll be sure to let you know. If you have any questions or would just like to speak with someone about how the Lord can become real in your life, contact Abbie Schaller at aschaller@myrwc.org.
The Speakers
Abbie Schaller
Abbie is wife to her best friend Charlie of 17 years and mom of four boys. She has been teaching and leading in women’s ministry in some way, shape or form for the last 19 years. She has a passion for teaching what is true so that women might experience freedom from captivity and be equipped for the work God has uniquely planned for their beautiful lives. In her down time, Abbie appreciates a good workout, a good mystery novel, and a good bar of chocolate!
Erika Manley
Erika has been married to husband Jathan almost 17 years. This mom of two relishes family movie nights and loves watching the Holy Spirit move. Her heart is for moms and kids with special needs and those struggling with addiction and mental health issues. In her world, coffee and dark chocolate are close on the heels of water as absolute necessities! Their family has attended Ridgewood for over 7 years.
Diane Cox & Renate Duneman
Look at the photo on the right and you’ll see Renate (left) and Diane (right). These ladies have been close friends for 30 years and share a unique tenderness for the Lord and His people. They cling to the power of prayer and are actively involved in Ridgewood’s intercessory prayer team. Renate has attended Ridgewood 21 years and Diane 41!
Rhonda Phillips
Rhonda has a servant’s heart. You will see her greeting people with a huge smile on Sundays, caring for preschoolers on MOPS days, growing her faith in Women’s Bible Study and serving on The Board of Stewards during the week. Rhonda is also a fan of Family and Sports. In the photo on the left, she is shown celebrating both at a T-Wolves Game with her “joy-giver” and nephew, Evan.” Rhonda has called Ridgewood “home” for 46 years!
Sherrie Byron
Sherrie is the friendly face who greets you at Ridgewood’s front desk! She and her husband Rick have been married for 38 years and have 4 wonderful daughters.
Sherrie’s “5 Loves” are “Jesus, family, friends, boats & prayer!” She is an active member of Ridgewood’s Intercessory Prayer Team. Their family has attended Ridgewood for almost 5 years.
The Retreat Schedule: March 8 & 9
FRIDAY EVENING
4:30-6pm: Plan dinner with a group or a friend on your own (optional)
6-8pm: (WORSHIP CENTER) Women’s Retreat Session 1, “Turning from the Living Water” with speaker Abbie Schaller
The world beckons us to self-sufficiency and tells us that we can do it all, have it all, and feel great while we do. The end product is a lot like trying to slurp water from a cracked cup that’s leaking away. It’s futile and frustrating. Instead, God invites us into a better way where dependence on Him leads to soul-level satisfaction.
8-9pm: (LOBBY) Dessert, Decaf, and Dialog (optional, but we’d love you to stick around for something sweet. It’s a time to relax and chat at the coffee bar! All included with your ticket.)
9pm: Head home or to a hotel (hotel stay is optional and is up to you to book)
SATURDAY MORNING
8:30-10am: (LOBBY) Continental Breakfast & Open Coffee Bar.
(With your ticket, the lobby will be open for a light breakfast, time with friends or personal time with the Lord).
10-11:30am: (WORSHIP CENTER) Women’s Retreat Session 2, “Keeping in Step with the Holy Spirit” with speaker Abbie Schaller
Jesus promises to quench our thirst through the power of His Holy Spirit, but how do we live that out practically? If self-sufficiency is all we’ve ever known, how can we keep in step with the spirit and live an empowered life? We’ll explore that together.
SATURDAY LUNCH
11:30am-12:30pm: (LOBBY) Included with your ticket you’ll find a beautiful spread to make your own sandwich. Of course, we’ll have goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth!
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
12:30-1:30pm: Equipping Break-Out Sessions
Session I (choose Option 1 or 2) 12:30-12:50pm
Option 1
12:30-12:50pm (ROOM 104) “‘I Have Better.’ My Life After Addiction” with Erika Manley (Room 104)
What seemed to be a harmless habit became a nightly need. On the outside Erika looked good serving in MOPS and BSF leadership. On the inside, she was in bondage and addicted to alcohol. Her marriage was breaking and her kids were too much. Her “HOUSE” was a mess. The Holy Spirit spoke to her and she pushed Him aside until she no longer could. Erika will vulnerably share her story of addiction, her humble road to recovery and God’s plan through it all!
Option 2
12:30-12:50pm (ROOM 101) “The Power of God Through Prayer” with Sherrie Byron (Room 101)
Do you ever wonder if your prayers are even heard by God? Sherrie has been there and she will share how a shift in her prayer life has taught her so much about faith, closeness to God the Father, and aligning with God’s will through prayer and much more! Come and hear how you can be confident in believing in the power of God as well!
SHORT BREAK
Session II (choose Option 1 or 2) 1-1:20pm
Option 1
1-1:20pm (ROOM 104) “Joy Beyond Reason” with Rhonda Phillips
Let’s face it; this life isn’t always “JOY-FUL,” is it? Yet, God says we should be joyful in all things, despite our circumstances. Like all of us, Rhonda has experienced disappointment, loss, pain and heartbreak. Through scripture, leaning into God, and relying on the strength and prompting of the Holy Spirit, Rhonda has been able to find JOY even when life is hard. Join her and see what God says about this and how to put it into practice.
Option 2
1-1:20pm (ROOM 101) “As Iron Sharpens Iron – A Story of Friendship and Faith” with Diane Cox & Renate Duneman
Diane and Renate have been dear friends for over 30 years! God knew the very day these “transplants” (Diane from TN and Renate from Germany) would meet and begin their life-long friendship. Diane is analytical; where as Renate is intuitive. Diane is a researcher and wants to be holding the map; where as Renate says, “Don’t worry; I know where we’re going.” These are two very different women brought together by God to challenge, hone and sharpen one another. In the process, their faith in the Lord and trust in one another has only deepened with time.
1:30-2pm (WORSHIP CENTER)
CLOSING WORSHIP & PRAYER
Final Option: Take a little more time with a group for coffee, shopping or an early dinner out on your own to conclude your weekend “getaway”.
Know Before You Go
What to Bring
- BIBLE: For sure bring your Bible. Don’t have one? No worries. We have Bibles in the pews you can use, but you may want to bring your own. If you don’t own a Bible, we’ll give you one. We want everyone to have their very own Bible.
- NOTEBOOK & PEN: If you like to take copious notes, bring a notebook and writing utensil. Otherwise, there will be a place in the retreat program to write notes.
- PHONE: The retreat schedule will be posted on the Ridgewood mobile app. You can download it from your app store. Search for “Ridgewood Church” and look for our teal “R” logo. Once downloaded, navigate to the section called “Women” to find the schedule. Just a friendly reminder, if you bring your smart phone, please silence all of those lovely ringtones. 🙂
- COFFEE & WATER BOTTLES: Like to stay hydrated or can’t get enough caffeine? The Ridgewood coffee bar will be open on Friday evening and Saturday morning with $2 off your first cup, but if you like coffee all-day long, please be prepared to bring your own. Water bottles are welcome too. We’ll keep the H2O beehive at the coffee bar filled with water for refills.
- A WRAP OR SWEATER: Are you the type who is always cold? Remember to bring a sweater or something to keep you warm. We’d love to select the room temperature that is just right for you but with the range of body types and ages attending, we may miss the mark. Please come prepared and layer up.
Childcare
This is a retreat designed just for you. Unfortunately, there will be no childcare provided at the retreat, so please make arrangements for childcare on your own.
What to Wear
As most of you know, at Ridgewood we dress casually even on Sundays. Jeans and a shirt or sweater are definitely acceptable. But hey, if you like to dress up, go for it. Just know that most of the women will be in jeans, a sweater and some sort of flat footwear.
Hotel Bookings
You are welcome to round up your best girl friends and make a whole weekend out of the retreat by booking a nearby hotel room. There are lots of hotel options close to Ridgewood which is located at 4420 County Road 101 in Minnetonka. Your arrangements are totally up to you.
