FMC’s Fall Retreat
Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center
9275 Barnes Rd, Toano, VA 23168 (about 45 minutes from FMC)
September 19-21, 2025
FRIDAY, SEPT 19
6:30-7:00pm Arrive and check in Jim and Matthias
7:00-7:30pm Ice Cream Social Christine
7:30pm Trivia Night! Paul
9:00pm Telescope viewing Jim Lehman
SATURDAY, SEPT 20
8:00am Breakfast
9:15-10:15am Free time
10:30-11:30am Sessions
· Ross Erb: Trusting Your Gut / Pat Rohr: Watercolor Painting
· Children 5-13 activity: Pickleball / Under 5: Supervised Play
12:00pm Lunch
1:30-2:30pm Sessions
· Ross Erb: Digital Safety / Jean Oswald: Nature Photography
· Children 5-13 activity: Sling Shot / Under 5: Supervised Play
2:45-3:45pm Bonfire and popcorn
4:00-5:00pm Sessions
· Ross Erb: How to be an Askable Adult for Youth
· Intergenerational Team Building Games (5-adult)
5:30pm Supper
7:00-8:30pm Table games
8:30pm Telescope viewing Jim Lehman
SUNDAY, SEPT 21
8am Breakfast
9:00am Check-out and free time
9:30am Set up for joint worship service / choir practice
10:30am Joint Worship (followed by Fellowship Meal—bring nonperishable dessert)
Dear family and friends of First Mennonite Church,
You are all invited to FMC’s annual Fall Retreat, September 19-21 at Williamsburg Christian retreat Center. Lodging and meals are covered by the church budget. Lodging is in motel-type rooms that can accommodate singles, couples, and families. There is also a camping option!
We will kick off the retreat on Friday night with an Ice Cream Social and Trivia Night with competing teams. The Saturday bonfire and popcorn has been moved to Saturday afternoon, and for Saturday evening you are invited to bring board games to play.
Our main speaker for the retreat is Ross Erb who served as associate pastor for Children, Youth and Families at Park View Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He is now the Associate Director of the Collins Center, a local non-profit that seeks to eliminate sexual violence. Here are his three session topics:
· Trusting Your Gut If we are serious about wanting to protect children from sexual harm, it is important for us to recognize "yellow flag" and "red flag" behaviors that might be indicative of someone manipulating a young person to the point where they might experience sexual abuse.
· Digital Safety Parents, teachers, almost everyone, is concerned about the risks posed by social media and online interactions with children and youth. What are the steps adults can take to help young people stay safe in our digital world?
· How to be an Askable Adult for Youth When young people are facing big concerns or have important questions, adults want to be the safe person turned to. How can you position yourself to increase the likelihood of the young people important to you seeking you out when needed?
In addition to the sessions led by Ross Erb, there are alternate sessions available for adults, as well as supervised activities for children of all ages. Parents may drop off their children for these planned activities so long as their children listen to the supervising adults and remain with the group. The sessions are voluntary! You may choose your own activities. The camp has a frisbee golf course, hiking trails, tennis courts, and other attractions.
The retreat will conclude with a joint worship service with the Eastern District Mennonite churches in the outdoor pavilion, followed by a fellowship meal. Each FMC household is asked to bring a nonperishable dessert for the potluck. There will be no service at the FMC location on September 21.
A sign-up is in the Commons to indicate nights for lodging and meals you plan to eat. Please sign up in the Commons or online on FMC website by August 31st.
We hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us this year!