Carecell Leaders Retreat June 2009

Jan and Gail arrived at Jenny’s at 5.30pm on Friday, loaded their bags and set off in Jenny’s Previa. Next stop was to pick up Sue just off the A20 and, then Mark and finally Maryann in Harrietsham. Then we were on our way wondering what was in store for us at Oak Hall Manor.

We arrived in good time (thanks to Jenny’s driving and Mark’s map reading skills) and were greeted by Alan and Sue, and Pastor Bea and Corinne from Singapore. Oak Hall Manor turned out to be a massive mock Tudor manor house set high on the hills near Sevenoaks. We were shown across a courtyard to our rooms. The ladies were in 5 rooms along one corridor and Mark was not far away up some stairs and round a corner. Our rooms were very inviting, and there were scattered petals and lovely goody bags on our beds and beautifully boxed chocolates on our pillows. After a quick change and doing our makeup (not Mark, I hasten to add!) we went back to meet our hosts and to be shown the way to the terrace lounge where we were to congregate. The lounge had the most amazing views over Sevenoaks and the surrounding countryside, and the trains we could see in the distance looked like part of a model train set. We also had a chance to chat to some of the people arriving from other churches.

Once we were all assembled, we were led up and down stairs, round corners, through various doors and along corridors to the dining room where we enjoyed a sumptuous five course meal. We were glad of Alan’s advice to us not to eat too much at lunchtime! After the meal we returned to the lounge for coffee and tea, cheese and biscuits and petit fours. By this time it was dark and the view from the windows had changed. All the lights of Sevenoaks were twinkling brightly just like stars in the night sky.

All sat in a big circle, we had our first surprise of the evening – a game of pass the parcel with a difference. There was a reading or quote to read out under each layer of wrapping and something to give to someone else, a question to answer or something to do. Our second surprise was to be told that three people in the room would find a star underneath their cup and these people were given a gift. Jenny was highly embarrassed to find she was one of the lucky recipients and had a beautiful necklace – very much deserved we all thought.

After this we were given our “homework”, to read Deuteronomy chapter 8, and told we could retire to bed if we wished to. Most people disappeared off to bed but the Lenham URC gang still had plenty of get up and go, so when a guitar and hymn books were spotted, we decided to have a sing-song. Funnily enough, the few remaining guests made a hasty exit not long afterwards, which caused great hilarity – surely it wasn’t our singing that made them leave so quickly?! Pastor Bea and Corrine remained with us a while longer then they too left us with strict instructions to retire by 11p.m. We sang a few more songs and chatted before obediently but reluctantly turning in.

We had been told that breakfast was at 8.30 a.m. but most of us were up bright and early (especially Jenny who had no watch or clock with her and had absolutely no idea what the time was!). Some of us ventured out in ones and twos to explore the grounds before breakfast, armed with our cameras. There was plenty of food for breakfast and most of us found our appetites had returned. Then it was back to the terrace lounge for Encouragement, Empowerment and Enlightenment from Pastor Bea. Some of the things she told us were to look forwards, not at the past and what has gone before, and that we should look forward with VISION and not to limit our vision by any negative thoughts or doubts. We had several bible readings about people who had been given a vision of what was to come and we spent time praying by ourselves for our own personal vision. Before we knew it, it was time for lunch - more wonderful food! (We’ll all be on diets next week.)

After lunch we thought about our own carecells and our vision for them. We paired off with someone from our carecell and went off to pray together for a while. On returning, Pastor Bea gave us some more guidance on how to achieve our goals, using prayer and communication, and partnership with others who can provide those things we might be lacking. We were shown a very moving film of two disabled ballet dancers, both missing a limb, but dancing in harmony together and supporting each other which illustrated this point perfectly. We were told we must have spiritual stamina as well as passion and we must PUSH – Persevere and Pray Until Something Happens!

We finished with another cup of tea/coffee, said our thankyous and goodbyes, collected our belongings from our rooms and piled into the Previa again for the journey home. It had been a wonderful experience and we all left Oak Manor Hall, Equipped and Energised, Enthused and Encouraged, and Eager to take on the challenges we know we are all going to face.