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Women's Retreat

"When wind blows and the Spirit stirs, God is breathing new life into us!"
Companions in Christ,
The Way of Grace

2009 Womens' Retreat
May 1-3, 2009, Friday supper thru Sunday lunch

Registration form now available!

Once again the women of First Church will gather by the waters of Monterey Bay for a weekend—this time in May. Our retreat site, Villa Maria Del Mar, is a favored place of beauty, peace and tranquility for us, with sea-fresh air and the beach just steps away.

Come alone or bring a guest.

Leave chores, cooking behind.

Relax, unwind, enjoy, rest.

Open yourself to new friendships.

Explore spiritual themes together.

Be solitary if you choose.

Return home renewed and rested.

Rev. Kim Smith-Nilsson has agreed to lead our retreat. You will remember Kim from last year, when she brought us the theme, “Living a Life of Gratitude and Joy”. This year Kim will lead us in unpacking the topic of compassion.

Kim writes:

"Compassion is the point of intersection for all of the great religions, the common fruit of the spiritual life.  We will explore teachings about Compassion from various spiritual traditions, opening our hearts to the ways in which we are called to live more compassionately with ourselves and our world." 

Kim's Bio:
Rev. Kim Smith-Nilsson is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.  She is a graduate of the Pacific School of Religion (M.Div) and San Francisco Theological Seminary (DASD) and has served in local parishes, hospitals, and non-profit organizations.  Kim is also affiliated with CenterPoint Contemplative Ministries, and is a Retreat Leader and Spiritual Director.  She and her husband, Alan, live in Mountain View and have two daughters.

Mark your calendar for this weekend by the sea!

Partial fee assistance is possible—thanks to a gift from the United Methodist Women.

For directions and views of the retreat center: http://www.villamariadelmar.org/index.htm