The annual Retreat started with many happy "welcomes" and "it's so good to see you again! How've you been since last year?"  Fellowship is the underlying theme in all our retreats for it seems that if a person comes once, they usually come back from then on.  That is the best testament to the effectiveness and importance of the Retreat.

33 adults and 6 volunteers registered at 3 pm on Friday, June 13th and dinner was at 5 pm. The speaker, Rev. Susan Sterling Montgomery, began her sharing of information (Session 1) after a few introductions, some much-loved singing, and some entertainment (from the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren in Christ.  Then, as usual, we had evening prayers and snacks before most people went to bed.  Some 'old-timers' stayed up to catch up on their friends' experiences in the year since the last Retreat.  On right is Dale Ferguson registering Zetta Murphy and volunteer, Mike Foster is standing.

On Saturday breakfast was at 8 am with volunteer helpers coming before to help those in wheelchairs get dressed.   We sang a blessing from several we had learned the previous year from Joan Stemen (left), another volunteer.  Volunteers are an important part of this Retreat because, for instance, this year we had 8 in wheelchairs who needed different degrees of help.  Also meals were served family style so volunteers served, cleared tables, and were very helpful. Session II was at 9:30 am where Sue talked of her many experiences of being an adult with disabilities - in a wheelchair - and of working with and for adults with disabilities in many areas, including state-wide.  She really knew her stuff!

After lunch it was free time with a choice of many activities:  swimming in Kenbook's new pool, boat rides on the pond (a lift is there so wheelchair occupants can go riding too), a bookstore brought to us from Heart and Mind bookstore, York county, a Kenbrook store where many things can be bought with a Kenbrook name on them, and finally but not least, many crafts were made - tote bags, picture frames, etc - brought as they have been for many years by Derry Presbyterian Church's members and youth.  It is a full afternoon or just a time to relax.  One comment heard often, "It is so relaxed here and we are not pushed by the schedule".  Saturday ended at 9 pm after a yummy dinner (food is great!), singing, Session III, evening prayers, and snacks.  Peggy Myers, on right, takes time to relax.