September 2017

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 “EVERY PATH.” It’s scheduled for February 9-11, 2018, featuring

keynote speaker Pat Maier and Bible study leader Heidi Goehmann.

Heidi and Pat will be leaning on God’s truth in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path” as they explore how God’s Word speaks to every one of us ~ in every

calling, every situation, and for every opportunity. Together we will consider our various callings,

going where God calls us, and how a visual and kinesthetic connection with God’s Word might

help us to hear and hold fast to His call. We’ll look at our struggles, how God looks at our

struggles, and how we might lean on His Word in a new way to discover His working in the

midst of every season of life. Finally, we’ll talk about bending our hearts to Christ and His people

– beginning with prayer, staying close to the Word, and opening our hearts wide for whatever

the Spirit is leading in relationships, in our faith walk, and in sharing His Truth and Love.

Our weekend will offer some wonderful, thought-inspiring breakout 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 2018 Katie Retreat Committee

P.S. You’d like to save money, wouldn’t you? Please take advantage of early registration and register before Dec. 31st!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Pat Maier

Bio: Pat Maier enjoys writing, drawing, and "imagining" to

inspire others in their walk with Jesus. A pastor's wife and

former Lutheran educator, she believes that the creative use

of language and art - when connected with God’s Word - can

touch the heart, promote understanding, and bring about joy

and connection. She is currently involved in planning and

presenting at retreats and women's events in the Michigan

District, as well as teaching about Visual Faith in the Great

Lakes area.

Pat recently completed a series of margin art to be included in

The Enduring Word Bible by CPH, coming out this spring.

She finds great joy in nature, gardening, and time spent with

family. She lives with her husband, David near Ann Arbor, MI,

where he serves as President of the Michigan District LCMS.

They have four children, two sons-in-love, and two

grandchildren (so far!)

BIBLE STUDY LEADER

Heidi Goehmann

Bio: Deaconess Heidi Goehmann is a licensed social worker and mental health care provider, a writer, speaker, wife, mom, forgiven and loved child of God. She received her deaconess certification, as well as her bachelor's degree in theology and psychology from Concordia University Chicago, and her master's in social work from the University of Toledo with an emphasis on children and families and social justice. Heidi has worked in a variety of clinical settings including trauma treatment for abuse and sexual assault, cross-cultural research, Eye Movement

Desensitization and Reprocessing, and home based therapy. She has also served in various ministry capacities including college student ministry, women's and children's ministry, and missionary work in Haiti. Heidi is the founder of I Love My Shepherd Ministries and ilovemyshepherd.com which provides resources to get women in the Word, strengthen marriages, and broaden our understanding of

mental health. Heidi serves the Lutheran Church -- Missouri synod in the areas of church worker wellness and church revitalization. Heidi's passions include her husband, David, her kids – Macee, Jonah, Jyeva, and Ezekiel, red wine, dark chocolate, Jesus, Star Wars, and new ideas...not necessarily in that order.

EVERY PATH

Pat & Heidi will be presenting this together (Friday evening and Saturday morning)

Session 1: Every Path

Heidi will facilitate study and discussion around the Word, looking into our various vocations - wife, mom, citizen, pastor's wife, neighbor, friend etc. We’ll look deeper into Scripture to understand God’s call and paths he introduces in our lives, sorting through the jumble of balancing the path of each day with God’s call to eternity. Pat will introduce a new “path” called visual faith, explaining how visual prayer and Bible journaling might be used as spiritual disciplines to bring blessing into our time in God’s Word for even a moment in the day, to be grounded in His Light and discernment.

Session 2: Every Struggle

We all face struggles. Let’s look in the Word and see what in the world God may be doing outside a season of struggle, in the middle of it, and when the new morning has dawned (and it does!). Heidi will lead us to see how God is at work in the struggles of life with His Hope and how He might see the art of struggling differently than we do. Pat will share how creative Bible study might help with some of the daily struggles in our faith life, as well as provide a way for us to keep the promises of His Word (not only as head knowledge but also as heart knowledge) close in our hearts and minds as we face life’s challenges.

Session 3: Every Inclination

Our final focus will be on drawing near to Christ, in His Word and with His people. Heidi will explore the word “inclination” in Psalm 119 and throughout Scripture. What does it mean to

bend our hearts to Christ and open our hearts to His people. Pat will challenge us to bend from our “usual” to try a new form of prayer, and then use it as a faith tool to take prayer with us into each day as we share Jesus’ love and blessing with others.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

SESSION: BLUE– “Decorating with Garnishes”

Harriet Armstrong

Description: When God spoke, His Word created a world

which was rich with color. The vegetation showed forth His

handiwork. Not only was the vegetation beautiful to behold,

but it also supplied the nutrients needed to help sustain life.

Come and use this vegetation to create garnishes which

will even serve as centerpieces for our Saturday evening

meal! Not only will you learn to make such garnishes, but

the centerpieces will be a group effort of those attending

the session. (Note: The picture is of a centerpiece done by

a group with no previous experience with doing such

garnishes!) Come enjoy the fellowship!

Bio: Harriet Armstrong is the wife

of John Armstrong, Grace

Columbus, the mother of two

grown daughters, the grandmother to one wonderful grandson, 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 ONLY at 12:30-1:50 p.m.

SESSION: YELLOW – “Visual Faith 101: Let’s Get Started”

Pat Maier Description: Come for a little bit more of

hands-on visual prayer or Bible journaling, as

we learn what it looks like to slow down and

linger a bit longer in God's Word. We'll start

with some practice on "being still." Resources

will be provided for you to find your "entry

point" -- a prayer card, a prayer by the month

design, or a Bible margin template, and there

will be a variety of art supplies to try out. Pat

will share information about some basic

supplies used by Bible journalers, and

demonstrate a few techniques for lettering

and adding color. We'll keep it informal,

interactive, and fun!

Bio: Pat Maier,

our keynote

speaker, enjoys

writing, drawing,

and "imagining" to inspire others in their walk with Jesus. A pastor's

wife and former Lutheran educator, she believes that the creative

use of language and art -- when connected with God’s Word -- can

touch the heart, promote understanding, and bring about joy and

connection. She is currently involved in planning and presenting at

retreats and women's events in the Michigan District, as well as

teaching about Visual Faith in the Great Lakes area.

Pat recently completed a series of margin art to be included in The

Enduring Word Bible by CPH, coming out this spring. She finds

great joy in nature, gardening, and time spent with family. She lives with her husband, David

near Ann Arbor, MI, where he serves as President of the Michigan District LCMS. They have

four children, two sons-in-love, and two grandchildren (so far!)

Offered at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.

SESSION: RED – “Praying the Psalms” Rachel Henderson

Description: What better escape for women on a

retreat than God’s Holy Word through the Psalms?

After a brief historical/contextual lens focus on the

psalms, we will dwell and meditate on Psalm

4,8,16,25,27,34 (all from Book 1 of the Psalter). This

session will include short clips (audio and video) that

capture the timeless message of the Lord in some

modern day contexts. Thanks be to God that He was,

and is, and is to come! Take a deep breath (Ruach - Spirit) and pause in the presence of the

Psalms.

Bio: Rachel Henderson has been Pastor Stephen

Henderson's wife (Trinity - Crown Point) for just shy

of 14 years. Though "pastor's wife" was never

meant to be her full identity, the opportunity within

that role has opened the door to incredible

opportunities to see people in their most faithful

states and their most broken places. Glory be to

God! She has 3 energetic children (Noah (11),

Hannah (9), Jonah (6)) and delights in welcoming

other children in their home feeling that that is where

the Lord has placed her. She loves running,

bookkeeping, campfires, reading her Bible, coloring, and coffee.

Offered at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.

SESSION: PURPLE – CRAFT - Patrice Wagner/Sherry Shadday Safety Pin Jewelry

Description: No need to bring anything. Patrice and Sherry 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.

ALSO THIS YEAR…

CHILDHOOD PICTURE DISPLAY: Please bring along a childhood picture of yourself.

(Think school picture or a confirmation picture?) We will display them on the wall in a “frame” that Heidi will make. 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.

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! It’s a great way to find out who from

your area is attending, wants to carpool, etc.!