Women equipped and inspired at SHE weekend
- deansimpson7
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Salvationist women from across the NSW/ACT Division gathered amongst gum trees with the sound of the ocean close by for the annual SHE Retreat in November.
Organiser Major Louanne Mitchell said it was a wonderful time of togetherness at The Tops Conference Centre south of Sydney, being refreshed by the Word of God and learning new ways to connect with God and with others.
“Some of the highlights for me were seeing women of all ages having intentional God conversations, learning from each other, seeing old friends and making new friends,” Louanne said.
Unplugged worship on the Sunday allowed women the freedom to sit in the presence of God, and a prayer room and ‘recharge’ room were quiet havens with resources and an opportunity to refresh body, mind and spirit.
Captain Amanda Pethybridge taught on being ‘Jesus-centred’, Auxiliary-Lieutenant Rosy Keane spoke on being ‘Spirit-led’, and Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black gave a teaching on how women of God can be ‘hope-revealed’ to people within our spheres of influence.
A ‘weaving worship’ elective run by Reconciliation Action Plan and Projects Manager, Sue Hodges, attracted dozens of women and others worshipped God through a spoken word workshop with Rosy, the territory’s Secretary for Spiritual Life.
A weaving worship group run by Reconciliation Action Plan & Projects Manager Sue Hodges at the NSW/ACT SHE Weekend.
Louanne said it was encouraging to get feedback from attendees about the two ‘discipleship huddles’ that broke participants up into small groups to read the Bible and learn easy, authentic ways to lead new believers, or those interested in faith, in how to learn from and apply God’s Word. “One feedback was, ‘I learned how to have a God conversation with someone.’”
“A highlight was that many women experienced breakthroughs and revelations from God and through the messages, prayer and worship. God spoke powerfully to many, and prayers were answered,” Louanne said.
She says the team is praying that the SHE Weekend will empower those who attended to step into the different ways God is calling them to be his hands and feet in their communities.
The 2026 SHE weekend will be held on 6-8 November at The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops, with plenty of accommodation options available. Save the date in your diary!
(Clockwise from top left) Captain Amanda Pethybridge, Aux-Lieut Rosy Keane, Major Robyn Black, chatting after the retreat, the prayer room.
