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   The accommodations were certainly retreat fare, a get away from the regular hustle and bustle of city life, with no TV in the rooms and one 19-inch TV in the great room, very limited cell phone service, no main phone line in the lodge, but yes we certainly got to know one another! It was so pleasant to hear various conversations among the sisters and brothers in Christ.  Over 90 percent of the group arrived Friday afternoon and evening.  Our accommodations included Friday’s dinner, breakfast Saturday & Sunday mornings, and dinner Saturday evening.  The food was very outstanding and more than adequate to satisfy our hungry appetites.  Saturday’s lunch was prepared by Sis. LaTonya Marsh at the lodge, which included sandwiches, chips, drinks, and cupcakes.  She also brought along snacks for Friday night.  Friday night was a true fun night of games and fellowship. Some of the games included were checkers, Uno, Scrabble Flash, Blink, and Taboo.  The children also brought along their “Memory” game.

 (Click on each picture below for a larger view and to return click the Back Button).

Following breakfast on Saturday morning, most of the group participated in the annual “Hallelujah Walk.”  The rest of the day was spent in more fellowship, games, horse-back riding, visiting Amicalola Falls, and sightseeing. 

 On Saturday evening, an informal Memorial Tribute was held honoring Sis. Betty Arnold who went home to be with her Lord on July 5, 2011.  Sis. Arnold had served as the main chair person for our Annual Retreat for over 10 years.  Prior to her passing, Sis. Arnold had already arranged this year’s retreat, by choosing the site and negotiating the price. Many tears were shed along with laughter as we remembered our dear sister, Betty Arnold.  Sis. Ruby Jackson, (mother of Sis. Cynthia Howard) played the piano and sung a special tribute selection entitled “That’s Alright, As Long As I Know I Got A Seat in God’s Kingdom, That’s Alright,” Dec. Alford and his wife, Romenia, presented a video slide presentation in tribute to Sis. Arnold.  A poem was read by Sis. Qualyn McIntyre and remarks were given by many of the members of the congregation, Sis. Arnold’s grand-daughter, Anquenette Marsh and daughter, Sis. LaTonya Marsh.

  Sunday’s service began with prayer at 10:00 a.m., followed by Morning Worship. In addition to the members already in attendance, others rode the church van or drove their vehicles in order to be in the service.  Pastor Deas conducted the service which began with words of praise, followed by songs of praise from the saints and the choir, such as “Praise the Lord Everybody,” “How Great Is Our God.”  Many of the saints also gave short testimonies. The message of the day was very spirit-filled and from the Lord via Dec. Larry Coleman.  The message topic was “Our Loss, God’s Gain,” with the scripture text taken from Philippians 3:7. Dec. Coleman reiterated that there is nothing that we should not be willing to give up in order to gain Christ, such as money, position, relationship, or fame.  We should count everything loss, in order to gain Christ.  Our desire should always be to want more and more of Jesus Christ. The altar call followed the message.