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STONE MOUNTAIN RETREAT 2009…
This year’s retreat was quite a welcome
change from previous years, and only a 20-30 minutes drive from most of our
homes to Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia! Dec. Al Alford did an
excellent, professional job on our brochures describing our retreat site and
activities, and other vital information. So, we began our respite on Saturday,
August 22nd and our journey was completed with our worship service on
Sunday, August 23rd.
 
Min. Steve Sweet came at the crack of dawn
Saturday morning to insure that our picnic spot was secured for the group.
Saturday’s activities began with our annual “Hallelujah Walk” at approximately
10:00am. The group journeyed along a trail from the picnic area to a large lake
and had prayer. This time of prayer and fellowship was enjoyed by all who
attended. Our chef, Sis. LaTonya Marsh already had the grill fired up by the
time others arrived. Our picnic began around 12:00 noon until around 3:00pm.
Everyone enjoyed the fun, food and fellowship. Some were so excited that they
didn’t take time to eat, but wanted to immediately begin their trek up the
mountain via Mike and Charlie (their feet). Another group later followed them
and we are happy to report that everyone made it up and down the mountain
safely!
 
After the picnic the group dispersed, and
everyone left to explore what Stone Mountain had to offer. Some went on the
train ride, boat ride, paddle boat ride, sky-ride, shopping for souvenirs, etc.
Many of the saints began to check into their rooms at the Stone Mountain Inn
during this time as well. Everyone was very happy with their “huge rooms,”
nearly 600 square feet of space. A couple of people were relocated to The
Evergreeen and reported their lodging was “extremely nice,” and those who chose
not to stay over were able to attend Sunday morning worship service; again, job
well done Sis. Arnold and crew!
Following the park’s exploration, some
retired to their rooms, others to dinner, and later the Laser show which was in
of itself truly amazing and breathtaking.
 
Our Sunday Morning services began with
prayer at 10:00a.m., followed by the Praise & Worship service. Truly, the
anointing fell upon the people of God and we are witnesses that “The Presence of
the Lord is Here, I (we) feel it in the atmosphere…!” We rejoiced at the reading
of God’s word, through the jubilee songs of praise and worship, testimonies,
rendition of “I’ll Give You Praise” by the Girl’s Club, and the “preached Word
of God.”
 
Pastor Deas’ sermon topic was “Refreshed,
Refocused & Reformed,” such a fitting topic for this wonderful occasion and
setting. The scripture texts used were I Corinthians 12:14-15, and Galatians
6:1. Some of the sermon highlights were the definitions of the topic words:
refresh-to strengthen, renew and re-energize; refocus-to have a new sense of
direction and purpose, goals, objectives and action steps, how to get there and
what to do when you arrive; reform-reorganize, come together in a unified
action, change or transformed by the renewing of our minds, giving God control
of the heart. Finally, by restoring, renewing and reconciliation, it will help
us to realign and get back on track according to the pattern so designed by God!
The committee members were: Sisters Betty
Arnold, Kriss Deas, LaTonya Marsh and Dec. Al Alford. Visitors from South
Carolina and locals were also in attendance and reported that they really
enjoyed the retreat. Again, it was great to have been there!
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