Members of the Holly Presbyterian Church gathered for its second annual Fall Retreat at the
Echo Grove Salvation Army Camp and Retreat Center on Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 29.
The weather was cool, bordering on crisp during the Friday night bonfire, but without the rain of last year.

Rev. Dr. Sharlyn DeHaven Gates lead the retreat and was ably assisted by Laura Parker,
Commissioned Ruling Elder Shaun Hardimon and many other members of the congregation.
The theme of the retreat was “God’s Orchard,” with the
primary focus on the “Five Practices of A Successful Church:”
Radical Hospitality
Passionate Worship
Intentional Faith Development
Risk-Taking Mission and Service
Extravagant Generosity

The attendees broke up into five groups Saturday afternoon to discuss each of the practices, all of
which are important to the life of our church and which became the subject of our
Sunday sermons and the Adult Sunday School class.

All participants enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship, discussions and learning.