Date:  Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time:  9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location:  Fellowship Hall | Manchester UMC

B2:  Be & Become

Join us for a day of reflection, connection, and discovery as we explore how God calls us to live lives shaped by Worship, Devotion, Justice, and Compassion.

Together, we will experience spiritual practices that help us draw closer to God and discover practical ways to embody Christ’s love in our daily lives. Whether you are seeking renewal, deeper faith, meaningful community, or new ways to engage in the world around you, this retreat offers space to be present with God and become more fully who God created you to be.

Come explore what it means to Be rooted in faith and Become a force for love, justice, and compassion in the world.

Faith grows when we are both Being and Becoming – deeply rooted in Christ while living out our faith through Worship, Devotion, Justice and Compassion.

• Be Present in Worship

  Acts of worship are the ways we grow in love of God together. Through baptism we are incorporated into the body of Christ. Worship is the heartbeat of that body. We worship through singing with one another, taking Holy Communion, giving of finances, reciting the creeds, and praying the Lord’s Prayer.  Guest speaker, Becky Strickland, will talk about how we can BE Present in Worship through active and faithful ways

• Be Rooted in Devotion

  Acts of Devotion are personal ways we seek to love God more. They often take the form of spiritual disciples like regular prayer, fasting, learning, reading devotions, studying the scriptures, spiritual development, and taking care of our bodies. You will hear from guest speaker, Kasey Beaton, as she shares ways that you can BE Rooted in your Devotion through personal practices and ways that you can seek to love God, and yourself, more.

• Become a Voice for Justice

  Acts of Justice are the public way we love our neighbor. An example might be Jesus telling us to feed the hungry. But justice goes beyond feeding those who are hungry. Doing justice is asking why people are hungry and then to organize and act to address the causes of our neighbor’s hunger. In this session, you will hear from Trish Gunby, a long time Social Justice Ministry participant, as she shares ways for you to Become a voice for justice in the community.

• Become Love in Action, Compassion

  Acts of Compassion are personal works of mercy. They are what you do when a neighbor is in need. If someone is hungry, you share your food. When someone is lonely, you give them a visit. When someone’s loved one dies, you go and comfort them. When someone is a stranger in the congregation or your home, you extend hospitality. For Compassion, Jana Lippard will share insights on how to Become love in action through acts of Compassion, not only for others, but also for yourself.

Please register by Saturday, August 15.

If questions or you would like to help plan the next Women’s Retreat, please email Vicki Samuels.

Vision and Mission of the Women’s Retreat Ministry:  Make a positive difference for women through love, encouragement, relationship building, and developing faith formation practices.