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TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center

Muskegon, Michigan

Tuesday, May 18

Part 3

After a good nights sleep we were up and ready for breakfast on Tuesday.

Following breakfast Chaplain Ted Keller (Columbia, South Carolina) opened our devotional time by leading us in a song.

Our devotional challenge was by Chaplain Jay LeRette, Rochelle, Illinois.

“We need to point people to Jesus”

“Daily turn to Jesus.”

“Preach the Word. He is the Word.”

Live and walk in Him. Point everyone to Jesus. Don’t quit.

Chaplain Tim Sackett’s boys (Jeremy and Garrett) enjoyed clowing with a dining room high chair.

Karen Weidner tried to “teach” us how to speak Chinese by reading comical quotes.

The silent auction began after our early morning devotions.

It was closed at 11:45 on Wednesday. I got Pearl Nussbaum’s yellow, cabbage-stuffed peppers. I love them.

I was also the high bidder on a jar of Sam Rittenhouse’s home-canned V-8 juice. It is delicious.

The second flyer from the bottom on the left was set up by Chaplain Jason Nussbaum. He gave everyone the opportunity to babysit their daughter, Christianna, for two hours so he and Shannon could do some shopping. I bid on that ($10.00) and we got the opportunity to take her to the beach on Wednesday. What fun. I’ll show the pictures on Monday or Tuesday.

This was scheduled as a retreat (with lots of free time) instead of a conference. After morning free time, lunch, afternoon question and answer time, and supper, we met for the evening session .

I spent my free time helping two new chaplains with their newsletter layout and design.

Chaplain David Phiri updated us on the work in Zambia.

Bunny O’Hare (left) invited Howard Jones (right), President Emeritus, to pray for David and the ministry in Zambia.

Volunteer chaplain, Chad, shared his story and how God led him to TFC.

Chaplain Tom Kemp (right) from North Bend, Washington, prayed for Chad, his family, and the ministry work at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Tish Jones read some humorous bits of wisdom.

Volunteer chaplain Skip, Lodi, Ohio, shared his ministry story.

~~~

Those are just a few highlights from Tuesday.

~~~

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center

Muskegon, Michigan

Tuesday, May 18

Part 3

After a good nights sleep we were up and ready for breakfast on Tuesday.

Following breakfast Chaplain Ted Keller (Columbia, South Carolina) opened our devotional time by leading us in a song.

Our devotional challenge was by Chaplain Jay LeRette, Rochelle, Illinois.

“We need to point people to Jesus”

“Daily turn to Jesus.”

“Preach the Word. He is the Word.”

Live and walk in Him. Point everyone to Jesus. Don’t quit.

Chaplain Tim Sackett’s boys (Jeremy and Garrett) enjoyed clowing with a dining room high chair.

Karen Weidner tried to “teach” us how to speak Chinese by reading comical quotes.

The silent auction began after our early morning devotions.

It was closed at 11:45 on Wednesday. I got Pearl Nussbaum’s yellow, cabbage-stuffed peppers. I love them.

I was also the high bidder on a jar of Sam Rittenhouse’s home-canned V-8 juice. It is delicious.

The second flyer from the bottom on the left was set up by Chaplain Jason Nussbaum. He gave everyone the opportunity to babysit their daughter, Christianna, for two hours so he and Shannon could do some shopping. I bid on that ($10.00) and we got the opportunity to take her to the beach on Wednesday. What fun. I’ll show the pictures on Monday or Tuesday.

This was scheduled as a retreat (with lots of free time) instead of a conference. After morning free time, lunch, afternoon question and answer time, and supper, we met for the evening session .

I spent my free time helping two new chaplains with their newsletter layout and design.

Chaplain David Phiri updated us on the work in Zambia.

Bunny O’Hare (left) invited Howard Jones (right), President Emeritus, to pray for David and the ministry in Zambia.

Volunteer chaplain, Chad, shared his story and how God led him to TFC.

Chaplain Tom Kemp (right) from North Bend, Washington, prayed for Chad, his family, and the ministry work at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Tish Jones read some humorous bits of wisdom.

Volunteer chaplain Skip, Lodi, Ohio, shared his ministry story.

~~~

Those are just a few highlights from Tuesday.

~~~

Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

Romans 15:2 (The Message)

Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

Romans 15:2 (The Message)

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center

Muskegon, Michigan

Monday, May 17

Part 2

Sam Rittenhouse (Assistant Director of Chaplain Wellness), Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and the key planner of retreats, welcomed everyone and gave us a layout of the evening and the next few days.

TFC President Scott Weidner and his wife Karen prepare to give out  two “door prizes.”

As you can see, Sam and Janet McIntosh (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) were surprised to be the winners.  Their request was for Cerwin to build a chapel around these doors – and it looks like that could be happening.

Karen Weidner introduced a bingo game to help us learn more about each other. I was one of the first ones to yell bingo.

Bunny O’Hare introduced Tammy Stauffer (Marietta, Pennsylvania, Office) who did a major amount of the work it took to register, prepare paperwork, and keep this retreat running smoothly.

Chaplain Allan Graham (Elkton, Maryland) helped Chaplain Jim Smalley (Frystown, Pennsylvania) lead a song.

Chaplain Jay Schock (Frystown, Pennsylvania) shared how God led him to serve with TFC.

Chaplain Michael and Susan DeBay (Ontario, California) share their testimony.

Chaplain Joe Matthews (Brunswick, Georgia) updated us on their move to Georgia and the ministry work at the Pilot Travel Center.

Bunny (right) asked Chaplain Claude Mathieu (Quebec, Canada) to close our first evening with prayer.

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center

Muskegon, Michigan

Monday, May 17

Part 2

Sam Rittenhouse (Assistant Director of Chaplain Wellness), Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and the key planner of retreats, welcomed everyone and gave us a layout of the evening and the next few days.

TFC President Scott Weidner and his wife Karen prepare to give out  two “door prizes.”

As you can see, Sam and Janet McIntosh (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) were surprised to be the winners.  Their request was for Cerwin to build a chapel around these doors – and it looks like that could be happening.

Karen Weidner introduced a bingo game to help us learn more about each other. I was one of the first ones to yell bingo.

Bunny O’Hare introduced Tammy Stauffer (Marietta, Pennsylvania, Office) who did a major amount of the work it took to register, prepare paperwork, and keep this retreat running smoothly.

Chaplain Allan Graham (Elkton, Maryland) helped Chaplain Jim Smalley (Frystown, Pennsylvania) lead a song.

Chaplain Jay Schock (Frystown, Pennsylvania) shared how God led him to serve with TFC.

Chaplain Michael and Susan DeBay (Ontario, California) share their testimony.

Chaplain Joe Matthews (Brunswick, Georgia) updated us on their move to Georgia and the ministry work at the Pilot Travel Center.

Bunny (right) asked Chaplain Claude Mathieu (Quebec, Canada) to close our first evening with prayer.

I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.

Philemon 1:6 (The Message)

I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it.

Philemon 1:6 (The Message)

TFC Staff Retreat

Maranatha Conference Center

Muskegon, Michigan

Monday, May 17

Part 1

Dwayne Johnson (Vice President), Hudsonville, Michigan, and Tammy Stauffer (Office of Chaplains Administrative Assistant), Marietta, Pennsylvania, welcomed us and gave everyone room keys, name tags, and a schedule.

Chaplains Joe Matthews (Brunswick, Georgia) and Rick Campbell (Grand Rapids, Michigan) visit while Cerwin talks to someone across the table.

It was so good to see fellow staff members, as it has been two and a half years since we had a staff conference or retreat.

I was surprised to see Chaplain David Phiri – lead chaplain from Zambia, Africa. We did not know he was coming. In this photo he is visiting with Chaplain John Mitchell from Denver, Colorado.

In the background (left) Cerwin is welcoming Paul Leger from Salisbury, New Brunswick, Canada. Scott Weidner (President), Marietta, Pennsylvania, and Bunny O’Hare (Director of Chaplain Wellness), Marietta, Pennsylvania, welcome Chaplain Tim and Char Sackett and two of their children from Hudson, Wisconsin.

Dorinda and Chaplain Howard Burrell (Indianapolis, Indiana) visit with Mike Hayden (Director of Business and Finance), Marietta, Pennsylvania.

The view of Dwayne and Tammy from the balcony – just outside our room.

We were supposed to wear t-shirts or hats to represent our area.

Janet McIntosh (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada), Scott Weidner (Marietta, Pennsylvania), Chaplain Sam McIntosh (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada), and Murray Scott (Director of Overseas Ministry) from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. His hat represents the Russian ministry.

Heading toward the dining room for supper – our first meal together. Chaplain Claude and Huguette Mathieu (St-Liboire, Quebec, Canada) are in the foreground.

The Maranatha staff make great meals.

Cheese heads Ellen and…

Doug Kraus live in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. He is Director of Location Development.

Sometime later he changed hats. I’m not sure what this hat represented.

After supper we headed to the Skinner Room in the Dunes building for our first meeting.

Chaplain Jim Smalley (Berkeley Springs, West Virginia) was asked to open the evening by leading the group in several songs. He is a chaplain at Frystown, Pennsylvania.

It was not mandatory to attend this retreat – due to finances (or lack thereof) – so this represented about 2/3 of our staff. I think someone said there were about seventy people in attendance.

The retreat theme was from Mark 6:31-32, so this was a fitting opening song.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:31-32.

Praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do.

Colossians 4:12 (The Message)