LWML Eastern District Retreat 2023 • September 22-24, 2023
LWML Eastern District Fall Retreat
September 22-24, 2023
Pioneer on the Lake, Angola NY
Registration opens May 1, 2023
The ladies of the Philadelphia Zone are hosting the 2023 Fall Retreat under thetheme “Encourage One Another” based on Hebrews 10:25 ‘not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.’ (Hebrews 10:25 ESV) We are excited to be returning to Pioneer On The Lake this fall for our LWML Retreat. It will be great to see the sun- sets on Lake Erie, walk the trails, breathe in the fresh fall air, and worship in the outdoor chapel. As you probably know, Pioneer is under new management and here comes change.
WHAT IS NEW:
New name: - Pioneer on the Lake
Full-time only registrations (NO PART-TIME)
One price for all accommodations no surcharge for refurbished cabins
Need to bring towels and linens (pillows and blankets provided)
No Zipline
What has NOT changed
Awesome Speaker
Interest Session Variety
Cooks parade
Quiet place to unplug
Sunday worship in the outdoor chapel (weather permitting)
Fantastic fellowship
Opportunity to learn and grow
As registration is different this year with only full-time and one price for all accommodations a 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice method is being used to accommodate all registrants’ housing preferences. Detail instructions are on the registration form. Also note that Pioneer on the Lake charges a surcharge ($40) for single occupancy. Minimum occupancy requirements are noted on the registration form. Cabin configurations are included in this LINK issue.
Registrations accepted starting May 1st – must have a postmark of May 1st or later.
Registration deadline is August 25th (postmarked by August 25th).
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
SPEAKER: We are pleased to have an opportunity to meet our newly elected Eastern District President The Reverend John L. Pingel. He will speak three times throughout the weekend and has agreed to have a meet and greet as one of our interest sessions. President Pingel previously served as pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in South Buffalo and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. A native of Long Island, New York, he attended Concordia College, Bronxville, N.Y., and then Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri (Master of Divinity, 1983). He then attended Geneva College in Pennsylvania, obtaining his Masters in Professional Psychology/Counseling degree in 1996. While serving as pastor he also served part time as a mobile therapist.
President Pingel is married to Diane (Giddens) for 31 years. Diane, whose father was a police officer, grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She was baptized into the faith by her pastor, Dr. Arnold Kromphardt. John and Diane were married by Rev. Dr. David Belasic. Their marriage was blessed with two sons: Bryan, who is an engineer for Chrysler, currently living in Ann Arbor, MI; and Timothy, who works for a firm in Depew, NY. To learn more about Pastor Pingel and his interests come to the retreat at Pioneer on the Lake, Angola, NY, September 22-24, 2023.
THE INGATHERING is monetary donations for furnishings at Pioneer on The Lake.
INTEREST SESSIONS - can attend more than one
ED President Rev. John Pingel – meet and greet
Servant Event at Pioneer – still finalizing activity
Grants Tune up – review of mission grant proposals before October 15, 2023 deadline
Tai Chi on the beach – tentative – see want ad in the LINK
Free Time—Naps, walk the trails
LWML Totes – how many do you have in your collection? The tote bags may be from national or district con- ventions, special trainings like Assembly of Leaders, or LWML district retreats or Zone events. Plan to bring a tote with you to retreat this fall. The host committee will be providing totes for first timers and others who do not have an LWML tote.
SATURDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Ladies First Quartet is a female acapella singing quartet. They sing 4-part harmony in the bar- bershop style and do a wide range of songs from classic love songs from the 1940s to jazzy, contemporary upbeat songs. They are members of the Buffalo Gateway Chorus which is cur- rently ranked 10th world-wide of over 550 choruses within Sweet Adeline’s International. Their quartet competes annually on a regional basis and has been singing all over Western New York for 10 years.
You know two of their members from LWML – Sharon Wolff from Batavia, NY sings bass and Bonnie Sugrue from Williamsville, NY sings lead. Their tenor is Kim Hooker from Akron, NY and Bonnie King from Warsaw, NY sings baritone.
