Indiana District
Lutheran Women's Missionary League

Lutheran Women in Mission

Pastor Joel Zipay talked about the “R” reasons to come to the water – retreat, renewal and refreshment in his devotions. He also pointed out many references to water in the Bible.

Helen Bohannon of Grace Lutheran in New Albany, IN led the singing. Helen played different instruments and shared a beautiful solo of “Amazing Grace” at the close of the retreat.

Friday night concluded with a “water bingo” card for ladies to fill out by finding someone who fit the category listed in the box. This activity led to much discussion and meeting new people.

Susie Pflughoeft’s alter ego “Minnie” shared her experiences at the retreat through her phone calls home to her friend Maude. Jan Vetrhus from the Madison bicentennial committee welcomed everyone and encouraged all to visit Madison during this celebration year. The ladies were extremely happy to welcome Joshua Hermann to the retreat. Joshua had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, and he received a standing ovation from all of the retreat attendees.

Before lunch on Saturday “come to the water”-color butterflies were created as a craft. The tables were very colorful with all of the butterflies displayed at each place.

The ingathering was plus-size clothing and coats for the Madison Women’s Correctional Facility. Boxes and bags of clothes filled a large corner outside the meeting room, and Jennifer Saroka from the Correctional facility greeted the ladies and tearfully expressed her gratitude.

Jan Struck kept the large crowd laughing and joy-filled. Jan explained that in the south you could say anything about anyone as long as it is prefaced or followed by “bless her heart”. Many hearts were blessed during this retreat.

God blessed this retreat with warm temperatures and beautiful sunshine. Many ladies ate their lunches outside in the sunshine and walked around the park. It was a wonderful place to hear God’s word from Isaiah 55:1a: Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters.

Sammy Keller, Retreat Chairman