2008 CHURCH RETREAT HELD IN HELEN, GEORGIA…

Our 2008 Church Retreat was held in Helen, Georgia approximately 120 miles north of Atlanta, September 12-13.  The town of Helen is situated in a mountainous area and is reminiscent of an old German town.

Our hotel, Country Inn and Suites is located in the center of town and within walking distance of shops, restaurants and numerous activities.  For those who arrived on Friday evening, a walk to a local restaurant was quite fruitful with a wonderful dinner enjoyed by all.  Upon returning to the hotel, some engaged in board games, others played putt-putt golf and some enjoyed sitting on the rocking chair front porch “rocking and talking,” while others retired to their rooms for a night of rest and relaxation.

 Saturday morning after breakfast, our annual “Hallelujah Walk” was held after a short drive to the local “Anna Ruby Falls.”  The walk was challenging, but the views along the way and of the Falls were simply breathtaking!  Prayer was held on the pier at the Falls with the mountainside as the backdrop!  We encountered some fishermen whom we invited to our church in Atlanta.  After awaiting the arrival of other saints, the rest of the morning and early afternoon the group divided to pursue their own interests. Some of the activities enjoyed were shopping, paddle boating, a visit to a cave via a boat ride , helicopter ride, viewing of local parade, horseback riding, a local carnival for children, and a visit to the Cabbage Patch Dolls Babyland General Hospital in nearby Cleveland, Georgia.  The women and young sisters really enjoyed this trip.  They viewed all of the wonderful displays of the cabbage patch dolls and babies throughout the hospital and were even able to witness the “birth” of the newest Cabbage Patch baby. A few made purchases for their loved ones.

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Saturday evening the group enjoyed a meal together at another local restaurant, and afterwards had a fellowship service at the hotel.  Several presentations were given by various members with words of Exhortation by Min. Matthew Pinkney.  After the fellowship service many retired for the evening, some went back to play putt putt golf, and some played more board games. Someone discovered an ice cream parlor with the best ice cream ever, and others hurried to make a purchase before the parlor closed for the evening. 

Sunday Morning Worship began with prayer service followed by a time of praise and thanksgiving.  Jubilee songs were sung, scripture was read, along with more prayer and testimonies by the saints.  The word of God was preached to us by our Pastor, Elder Earnest Deas.  After the service everyone fellowshipped and began the journey home, stopping along the way to browse around and to grab an early dinner or late lunch.

 We always look forward to the retreats as not only a time of rest and relaxation for families, but of taking in God’s wondrous works, a time of praise and worship and connecting with our brothers and sisters in a more relaxed atmosphere. A wonderful time was enjoyed by all including our visitors from South Carolina. We thank Sis. Betty Arnold and her Retreat Planning Committee for their hard work in ensuring that everyone’s accommodations were taken care of as well as incidentals.