The invitation of disappointment might not be the topic you expect at a retreat designed for rest and connection. Still, as human beings, we all carry some measure of it, often without the time and space to acknowledge and process it fully. For those of us in ministry, we encounter not only our own disappointments, but also those we are called to shepherd and care for. The burden is heavy.
A couple of weeks ago, Missio Alliance’s third Sustaining Women in Ministry Cohort gathered in Arizona for a four-day retreat, exploring themes of grief, hope, and expectation. Together, we created space for individual and group processing around life’s disappointments. For these ten women, representing ministry and leadership contexts from around the United States, the experience was both restful and deeply restorative. This cohort of women described their retreat as a safe, non-judgemental environment where they felt held and free from comparison. The opportunity to connect with other women, unhurried in quiet spaces, and simply be present was a gift. Now having returned to their contexts, the cohort continues for four more months as these women journey together, supported by a wonderful network of peers who understand the unique challenges and joys of being a woman in ministry.
