It has been a couple of years since we have gone on a parish family retreat together to Lake Martin and lots of folks have really missed it. Good news - we're going this August and we want you to join us! Murphy's Ministry has been busily planning this year's retreat for Friday, August 7 - Sunday, August 9, on Lake Martin, near Alexander City, AL at Children's Harbor. We are so excited that it is finally upon us and registration is underway! Children's Harbor Lodge is only a few years old and is a fully air conditioned facility. All buildings and rooms are handicapped accessible. Each room has its own bathroom, shower, and HVAC system. Please remember to bring a cooler for your soda and water as the rooms do not have refrigerators. It's a beautiful rustic setting with a lighthouse, outdoor amphitheater, lakeside chapel, and plenty of water activities (including boat rides, a floating swim platform, a floating dock, and canoes).
This retreat will be special for many reasons. First, it is open to all, young and young at heart, single and married, individuals and families. Also, this is a lay effort. It is not a staff-operated retreat. Trinity staff will be present to enjoy the retreat the same as parishioners. That means "we are all in this together," and you may be asked to help with certain activities, just like summer camp. The church is not providing a nursery or childcare. We will have designated times for supervised play provided by our Children's Ministry Director, Kathryn Scoggins, but children must stay with their parents at all other times. There will also be planned Youth activities (6th-12th grade) throughout the weekend by our new Director of Youth Ministry, Rebecca Gordon.
This retreat offers something for everyone! Besides the water sports fun in the lake, we have planned a bonfire with s'mores and a sing-along, game night, and a hospitality suite. There will of course be several opportunities for worship throughout the weekend. After worship Sunday morning we will enjoy a delicious lunch together. We will provide lifeguards throughout the weekend but please remember to bring your own life preservers and floatation devices, especially for the little ones.
The major consideration for this retreat is the cost and room accommodations. For those planning to spend the night, the facility has 12 cabins with four rooms each which accommodate 5 people. Each room has five beds (three twins and two bunks). If you will spend the entire weekend there (Friday - Sunday) the cost per family is $150 and $75 for an individual. (Includes dinner Friday night, three meals on Saturday, and two meals Sunday.) If you don't want to stay the weekend and just want to come up for the day on Saturday it's $20 per person or $50 per family. This price includes all meals and use of the facilities. We want to encourage folks to room together, both for community building purposes and for efficient use of rooms. We will not arbitrarily assign people to room together.
Registration has begun! Please make your reservation as soon as possible. The registration deadline is Friday, July 31, but don't wait until the last moment - you won't want to miss out on the fun! Payment in full guarantees a space for the nights and meals paid for. If you have any questions please call Katie Damke at (256) 282-4677 or email her at [email protected]. It's going to be so much FUN - join us!
Your Retreat Registration Committee
