Southern Michigan Conference Pastors and Spouses Retreat

 

We feel privileged to be able to participate in the 2012 Pastors and Spouses Retreat, which is held each year in February at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, Michigan. We are thankful for this opportunity to connect with people from many of the churches that we will be unable to visit during our short visit to the United States.

 

The theme for the retreat this year was "The Color of Happiness" and is directly connected to the Chinese New Year. Superintendent Thomas Ramundo and his wife, Noni, always go all out in order to make the retreat a welcoming and relaxing event. They gave out Chinese themed gift bags to everyone upon registration and had Chinese New Year themed decorations.

The speaker for the retreat was Rev. Dale Shinabarger, retired superintendent of the East Michigan Conference. He spoke on "Four Habits of a Healthy Leader" and "Connecting the Chaos." Pastor Dale is a highly energetic motivational speaker who has a lot of practical advice to offer to younger pastors and church leaders. 

We enjoyed some great conversations with Pastor Dave and Dottie Mathis from the West Unity FM Church, Pastor Mike and Andrea Ortell from the Pulaski FM Church, Pastor Jason and Amy Engle from the Jackson FM Church, as well as a number of shorter conversations with many others. Other highlights included playing Seven Wonders with Pastor Mark

Van Valin, seeing Supt. Ramundo play guitar with the worship team, and seeing Supt. Shinabarger's color changing ball.