Feeling Replenished and Grace Laced

People find rest and replenishment in various ways. Last weekend we invited the 35 women who were part of the Replenish/Grace Laced retreat at Luther Heights to spend the weekend as they needed. We simply provided comfortable (bottom) bunks in ensuited rooms, food and company.

Begun by Luther Heights in 2017, Replenish is an affordable weekend away where women can stop, unwind, and step away from the chaos of their daily routines. This year we added Grace Laced, a half day retreat for spouses of LCAQD pastors.

On the Saturday morning, Lauren Spilsbury and Kirby Mullen facilitated the Grace Laced sessions, with Angela Mayer leading a reflection on self-care.

We noticed that in rejecting the expectation that a pastor and his wife come as ‘two for the price of one’ we have sometimes forgotten to acknowledge and appreciate the wisdom and dedication with which spouses of pastors serve (in a diversity of ways) within faith communities.

Anne Marie Doecke (who is a Benedictine oblate) offered two electives to all campers: on poetry and on contemplative prayer, while Lauren’s devotion on Saturday morning was another spacious and contemplative resting place.

Refreshed by the beautiful natural environment, participants shared walks, conversations and stories, crafts, games, jigsaw puzzles, photos and some even wrote poetry! We thank Anna Spilsbury for sharing her photos in this post.

Some things were new in 2021: new building, masks that we didn’t have to wear during our previous Replenish weekend in 2019; but all in all we were grateful to be Replenished again at Luther Heights.

If you would like to more about the Replenish retreat, or what is happening to support spouses of LCAQD pastors, please contact kathy.matuschka@qld.lca.org.au