26th Annual Women's Retreat

To register for this year's retreat, please click here.

“SELF – COMPASSION”

And “THE HILL WE CLIMB”

Led by The Rev. Charlotte Russell

Charlotte is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion, and was ordained in the United church Of Christ. Subsequently, she served as Associate Minister in Santa Cruz, Northfield MN, Piedmont Community Church, and First Congregational Church of Berkeley, retiring in 2015. Charlotte also trained at the Lloyd Center in San Anselmo [now the Interfaith Counseling Center], and has specialized in Pastoral Care, Adult Education, and Ministry to seniors. She is a founding and current member on the Board of the Center for Theology and the Natural sciences founded by her husband, Bob Russell. Charlotte has served on the planning committee of Zephyr Experience, which she attended with her mother, for twenty years. She is currently involved on the Green Team and the Mental Health Ministry at First Church, Berkeley.

Charlotte says that she is delighted to be invited to lead the 2021 Women’s Retreat. In recent years, she attended our retreats with her mother, Betty Stott, and looks forward to being with us again, and meeting new friends, this time, via Zoom.

“Self-Compassion” is extending to ourselves the kindness, empathy and care we give to others. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus assured his listeners that “blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” During our time together, we will explore what compassion is and what elements are involved in developing compassion for ourselves and others. Charlotte invites us to bring our experiences, insights and questions to the small group conversations, as we share the transforming power of Christian living.

We also will delve into Amanda Gorman’s evocative Inauguration poem “The Hill We Climb.”

During the morning we will take time to reflect on where we have been this year, take stock of the present moment, and look forward, with hope, to what is ahead. All will be interlaced with music, energizers and fun!

Registered participants will receive a package of information, the week of the retreat.