Church of the Apostles Women’s Retreat
by Jan Rooney
The women of Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, VA enjoyed a weekend retreat from April 28-30 at Potomac Park Retreat and Conference Center in Falling Waters, West Virginia, about 80 miles from Fairfax. It’s a fabulous place with great accommodations, good food, and many fun activities. The staff at Potomac Park, about 100 years old and founded by the Assemblies of God, was very helpful in making our retreat successful.
Our speaker, Sylane Mack, came highly recommended by Kimberly Braunschneider, our rector's wife, who had attended a retreat with Sylane before. Sylane comes from a background of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and says she is "unflinchingly convinced that God is greater than our greatest pains, shames and fears." With passionate strength, vulnerability, wisdom, and humor, Sylane shared her life’s journey with us and about how God has redeemed her many years of abuse and suffering. She started her ministry, “Transformed by Grace,” in 2003, offering people God’s healing and freedom from emotional and spiritual bondage. Her four presentations to us over the weekend were absolutely amazing.
Our worship leader, Zaki Rhett, assisted by Betty Davis and Sharon Blount, led us in anointed worship into the presence of the Lord. And our fellowship times over meals and activities were delightful.
The women of Apostles were truly blessed by the retreat, so I would like to share this testimony with other churches as well.
Jan Rooney is the Director of Women’s Ministry at Church of the Apostles in Fairfax, VA.
