Unificationist Revives Sisters’ Retreat

Submitted by Myrna Lapres, myrnalapres@gmail.com

Atlanta women gather for Sisters’ Retreat

After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia (six months ago), I was happy to be part of reviving a monthly sisters’ gathering at the Atlanta Family Church.  With the support and encouragement of other sisters, we began meeting monthly following the church service, sharing and discussing on such topics as: the feminine qualities of heart that we want to cultivate in our daily lives, building community, gratitude, the power of prayer and forgiveness.

When the movie “War Room” came out, we heard reports about how powerfully this movie conveyed the importance of having God and prayer at the center of our lives. Although we discussed all going together to watch the movie in a theater, we couldn’t find a day and time that suited everyone’s busy schedules. The idea of a women’s retreat developed and we gathered together on a Saturday evening with several sisters bringing friends/neighbors. Beginning with some sharing and an amazing potluck dinner, the evening was filled with laughter, smiles and even tears.

The themes of the movie found their way into the center of our hearts-the Power of Prayer, Grace, Surrendering to God, Mentorship and the importance of Connection and Modeling as a parent, a spouse and a friend. If you haven’t had a chance to watch the movie, I highly recommend to do so with your family, church community or neighbors followed by a potentially deep and powerful discussion about its application to daily life.

While living and attending the Bay Area Family Church (San Leandro, CA), I had the privilege to be part of a women’s circle for several years. It was a deep experience for me to share together as sisters, going beyond our culturally/racially diverse background to connect together as daughters of our Heavenly Parents. We were able to expand our monthly meetings to hold several overnight retreats that nourished both the women of our church community as well as our friends and contacts that attended. The women’s circle and retreats continue in the bay area. I believe that this is an excellent way that we can develop deep heartistic connections with each other, becoming true sisters as well as extending it to our larger communities.  

True Mother is providing us with the guidance, inspiration and example of how to live our lives:

Gratitude brings about heavenly fortune; forgiveness opens the hearts of people; and love moves people’s hearts. Let us all be grateful for everything, forgive our enemies, love our neighbors [and families] as we love ourselves and work in oneness for peace.

I look forward to developing the women’s circle in Atlanta and would be happy to share ideas with anyone who is interested in doing something in your area.