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TFC Retreat

Saturday, February 16

 

Saturday morning activities began at 7:30 a.m. when Hazel Sensening welcomed us to prayertime.

 

Her husband, Charlie, asking for prayer requests.

 

Breakfast (egg casserole and potatoes), plus ham, fruit, cereal, yogurt, and a variety of breads.

 

Breakfast Fellowship

 

Nancy and George Freeman wait for the morning session to begin.

 

Betty and Wendell Boyle – with Oliver Bredbenner in the center.

 

George Freeman and Mark Garrett

 

Our speaker, Gerald Mounce, and his wife, Mary.

 

Mary had not planned to attend, but when Gerald became ill with a virus, she came as his backup – and was needed on Saturday morning.  They often do this presentation together, so this was not a difficult transition for her.

 

Betty Boyle and Peg O’Hare discuss the workbook during a midmorning break.

 

Anna Ruth and Glenn Beiler visit Luke Martin.

 

Maryellen and Jeff DeShaw talking to Dee Gross.

 

Jim Wardrop and Phil Miller getting acquainted.  This was Jim’s first retreat.

 

Cindy Smalley and Grace Wardrop.

 

Jim Harkless and Bunny O’Hare

 

Rallyn Van Beek and Tom Kemp

 

Rose Gehman talking to Tammy and Ted Keller

 

Janis Kemp, Rose Gehman, and Peg O’Hare enjoy a refreshing walk during afternoon freetime.

 

The other view!

 

I checked for some photo opportunities after completing some business at Camp Hebron’s office.

 

 

Grace Wardrop and Marie Miller

 

Rose Gehman and Jim Wardrop

 

Nancy Freeman

 

Dominoes

Clockwise:  Cerwin (red shirt), George Freeman, Mother High, Barb Bredbenner, Oliver Bredbenner, Tish Jones, and Maryellen DeShaw.

 

Barb Bredbenner

 

Laura Fox, Lois Keller, and Tish Jones

 

Howard Jones, Leon Fox, and Harold Keller

 

Benjamin Lutz liked when I took his picture, but this time I caught him unawares.

 

Timothy Lutz wanted to show me his “cool” look.

 

Suppertime lineup

 

 

Sisters

 

Eunice Landis and Debbie Millette

 

With their dad, Sam Rittenhouse

 

Commissioning of Chaplain Richard and Janette Guy

The Office of Chaplains officiated:  Sam Rittehouse, Howard Moses, and Bunny O’Hare

 

TFC President Scott Weidner giving a ministry update on Saturday evening.

 

Mike Hayden, Jesse Deems, and Howard Moses

There is a story to Jesse’s hat!  His luggage was delayed at the airport.  We all cheered when we saw him hatless and in fresh clothing the next morning.

 

Mike Hayden, Director of Business and Finance.

 

Not Yet (Stephen, Jane, and Mark) presented a fabulous concert. 

 

Ambassador Advisor representatives (Adrian and Bernie) presented stewardship possibilities and challenges.

 

Chaplain Rich and Jannette Guy wanted an updated photo, so we did that following the evening program.

 

The evening snack was an anniversary cake for the Harkless’ and Kellers.

 

Dixie and Jim Harkless and Tammy and Ted Keller.

~~~

Many states were represented at this retreat:  Massachussets, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

 

 

 

Love is not arrogant.

I Corinthians 13:4 NAS

 

 

 

TFC Retreat

Friday, February 15

 

Breakfast was part of the Sweetheart Package from Camp Hebron.  Cerwin’s ninety-year-old mother enjoys going along with us for this weekend.  She is the one wearing the white sweater vest.

 

Several from TFC’s Leadership Team visited following breakfast.

 

I asked Peg O’Hare (right) to help me at the registration table.  Janette Guy gave her some moral support.

 

People began arriving about 3 p.m. 

 

Chaplain George Freeman checking out the schedule.

 

The opening event ~ Friday’s evening meal.

 

 

“Not Yet” opened the program by leading worship.

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. I John 3:2

 

 

 

One of our weekend speakers was Gerald Mounce, from Peacemaker Ministries, Int.

 

 

 

 

Sweetheart Banquet

I missed having Internet connection for the past four days – but in some ways it was nice.

 

Thursday Evening, February 14

 

Photos cannot display the scene each of us saw on Peter’s Mountain, shortly before arriving at Camp Hebron.

 

This view from my back seat of the van may give you a better idea of the sun and ice display on the mountain.

 

Camp Hebron is nestled in the mountainous, countryside of Halifax, PA.

 

I immediately noticed that there was more snow here than at home.

 

We enjoy taking advantage of Camp Hebron’s Sweetheart Banquet – which is held one day before TFC’s Winter Retreat.

 

I particularly liked the heart-shaped napkins.

 

Beautiful rose centerpieces.

 

Angie and Howard Moses (left and right) visit with Carolyn and Rallyn Van Beek in the seating area of Sylvan View Center at Camp Hebron.

 

Someone is wearing socks for the occasion!

 

When he noticed my camera, he quickly showed me his tie.

 

This fancy “dude” is none other than Howard Jones (TFC President Emeritus), one of our oldest TFC staff persons. 

 

His wife, Tish, was also looking pretty in red.

 

The after dinner concert by Mark Cable, was fun and refreshing.  He is a songwriter/storyteller/musician.

 

There were many valentine decorations around the room.

 

Busy had been the mode for the previous few days, so it was nice to allow someone else to do the cooking, decorating, and entertaining.

 

 

 

Love is not boastful.

I Corinthians 13:4 CEV

 

 

 

Ice ~ Mail Truck ~ House Guests

 

We woke up to an icy, rainy morning

 

 

The birds had to peck and scratch through ice to get their seeds.

 

Notice the water drops on the dove’s back.

 

The newsletter is on its way.

 

Cerwin picked up Rallyn and Carolyn Van Beek at the Harrisburg Airport shortly after 4:30 p.m. 

Because my past few days have been busy, Cerwin and I decided to take them out for supper.  We enjoyed our evening, and look forward to spending tomorrow with them as guests in our house – before leaving for the TFC Winter Retreat.

He is lead chaplain on the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, chapel. 

 

 

 

Love is never jealous.

1 Corinthians 13:4 CEV

 

 

 

Somebody Was Praying for Me Today

 

If it was you, thanks.

 

I woke up early (3:30 a.m.) and decided to get started on the stack of newsletters.  It was already snowing lightly.

 

I am so pleased that my trusty address printer worked flawlessly all day long, printing addresses on 13,773 newsletters.

 

The tabbing machine proved to be just as trustworthy.

 

 

If you remember, last night there were thirty boxes full of newsletters.  Tonight there are three-and-a-half.  (Those will be shipped to churches and chapels.)

 

The ninety-three mail trays are covered, strapped, and in the garage – ready for the mail truck to pick up tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.

I did not expect to get everything done in one day – however, I did put in a fourteen-hour day!  (4 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

I’m weary tonight, but it is a good tired.  Now I have a full day to get ready for overnight guests tomorrow.  Chaplain Rallyn and Carolyn Van Beek (Sioux Center, IA) are flying to our area for the weekend retreat, and are arriving a day early – so we invited them to stay with us. 

 

~~~

 

During lunch-break, I took time to “capture” our birds.

 

I love seeing their tiny footprints in snow.

 

 

 

I

 

 

 

 

I love the picture of this one diligently searching for seeds in the bush below the birdfeeders.

 

 

 

Love is kind.

I Corinthians 13:4 NIV

 

 

 

Enough to Keep Me Busy for Two Days!

 

There are about thirty boxes full of newsletters in my office…

 

…that I plan to run through the address printer tomorrow.

 

Then I will put them through the tabbing machine and fill these mail trays.

 

The mail  truck is coming to pick them up at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. 

~~~

Everything is ready to go in the morning.  I spent most of today making address corrections that had been on a backburner for several weeks.