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What's the Fruitbearer Women's Retreat about?

The Fruitbearer Women’s Retreat, scheduled for April 26-27, 2012, is not your typical conference. Held right on the beach in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware at The Atlantic Sands Hotel, 101 N. Boardwalk, the program is interactive rather than spectator-oriented. The 7 p.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Saturday event is designed to encourage women to enter into an atmosphere where they can experience Christ in a personal way. This year’s theme, “The Art of Listening,” centers on Isaiah, 30:21, hearing God and hearing others: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Rev. R. Kay Lanasa is a retired United Methodist clergy. She is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and leads a 50 member prayer team. A graduate of Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Virginia, Pastor Kay has completed the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and is presently founder and director of Oceanview Ministry, A Course in Spiritual Development and Prayer.

Linda Mason of Georgetown (www.SilverFlute.org) will lead Praise & Worship. The pastor of Linda’s home church, Danny Tice of Bayshore Community Church, says, “Some people can play notes on a musical instrument—others can play in such a way that their hearts are opened to the Spirit of God. Linda Mason is such a person.” Linda, with her silver flute and guitar, will have our Scripture theme, Isaiah 30:21, stirring in participants’ hearts long after the retreat has ended. She is even composing an original theme song for the conference and will be teaching the words and melody to the women throughout the weekend. If all goes well, her new CD will be ready in time to include in the registration packet.

Conference founder and director Candy Abbott, Fruitbearer Publishing, LLC of Georgetown, says, “This is our fifth conference and our fourth women's retreat. The Fruitbearer team always tries to give the ladies more than they expect, not only in the form of sweet surprises, but prayer support before, during, and after the retreat. The bonding that takes place among the women, even within the first hour, is incredible.” Candy says the most important lesson she’s learned about directing the conference is to plan like crazy in advance and then pry her fingers loose and relinquish control to God as soon as the retreat begins. “There’s nothing more satisfying than setting everything in place and then standing back to watch God work in the lives of His daughters. It’s amazing!”

Women who have attended previous Fruitbearer retreats have called the weekend “life changing,” “a deep learning experience,” and “a restoration experience that lasts.” One of the high points is the hour-long Covenant of Silence on Saturday where the women find a quiet spot to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and record in their journals the insight they receive. Being able to walk right our of our hotel onto the beach should be particularly conducive to listening to the Lord.