Holly Presbyterian Church’s Fall Retreat,
Echo Valley Salvation Army Camp and Retreat Center
Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 2, 2011


Approximately 50 members of the Holly Presbyterian Church’s congregation gathered at the Echo Valley Salvation Army Camp and Retreat Center east of Oxford, Michigan, on Friday evening to spend the weekend in worship and discussions in a relaxed and beautiful setting.

The focus of the retreat was 1 Peter 2:5 --

“… like living stones,
Let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood
to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ.”


Photographers: Gordie Bradshaw, Fran Olsen, Gerry Jackson,
Jim Lyles, Mandy Banks, Roberta Single, and Walter Brown
Click on each photo to enlarge.
 

Friday, September 30
We began to gather at the Echo Valley Salvation Army Camp and Retreat Center
in the late afternoon and after orientation and an ice-breaking bingo game created by Laura Parker,
we had dinner and met to talk about the church and its future.  Quiet time began at
10 p.m., which was tough on the “kids“ of all ages.
Saturday, October 1
We gathered for morning prayers, led by Randy Cook, in the common room around 7 a.m.,
had breakfast and began a morning of great discussions led by Rev. Sharlyn Gates. 
After lunch there was more talking and then those with some creative skills,
especially the younger members, began working on the banner and altar cloth.  There was
time for some fun and relaxation in the afternoon, dinner, a
hayride and then the campfire, where the youth did a wonderful job of entertaining us.