Heart and home shapes were used in craft and favor ideas, and red and blue were the theme colors. A stamp with a house and one with a heart were purchased from Stamp Magic, P.O. Box 60874, Longmeadow, MA 01116. They were used on various items given to the women. The retreat brochure included word/number games, including a heart-shaped Bible verse puzzle.
The retreat council also provided a Chorus Booklet with lyrics, reprinted with permission by Christian Copyright License Inc. (CCLI). CCLI's address is 6130 NE 78th Ct. Suite C-11, Portland OR 97218.
Table favors were made for the women. Instructions have been provided:
Cinnamon Hearts
1 c cinnamon
1 T cloves
1 T nutmeg 3/4 c apple sauce
2 T white glue
Blend all ingredients and work with hands until smooth. Divide into 1/4s and roll out 1/4" thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create the heart shape. Let air dry, turning a few times so they do not curl up. While still wet use a straw to make a hole (top center of heart) for hanging.
Cut a 12" piece of ribbon (they used either red or blue). Tie one end to the heart. Glue the other end to the back of the house (see following instructions). Fold the ribbon in the middle and tie a knot that leaves a loop so it can be hung on a hook. Ribbon can be purchased from a craft or fabric store; cinnamon can be purchased in bulk from a health food store.
Lightweight Cardboard Houses
The houses can be made from blue lightweight cardboard. Type/print the phrase "May Christ be the . . . of your home", on the house, placing a heart sticker in the center of the phrase, where "heart" would be written.
Heart and Home Sachet Bag
Materials:
• Two 3" squares muslin, edges cut with pinking sheers--they used an ivory-color muslin
• Smaller scraps for house and heart--they used blue and red
• Rice scented with cinnamon oil
• fabric glue
Machine stitch 2 squares together around 3 sides. Iron the heart onto the house, and the house onto the square: use "Wonder Under", "Stitch Witchery" or fusible peel-on. Use a fabric pen to make "stitches" that look like quilting. Fill with several tablespoons of the scented rice. Use fabric glue to close the top.
Heart and Home Prayer Partner
The council created cards to distribute to the women, to complete with name, address, and a prayer request for the upcoming year. At this retreat, they placed the name cards into a basket. At the end of the retreat, anyone who puts a card in, took one out. The women can exchange notes throughout the year, but the purpose is prayer support.
The card is a 3 x 5 card, with a house design stamped at the top center of the card, with a heart on either side. "Women's Ministries Prayer Partner" is printed below the stamped designs. Below this title is specific information on each participating woman.
Women's Ministries Prayer Partner
Name_____________________________________________
Address___________________________________________
Prayer Request_____________________________________
Room Favor
Need:
• a 4 x 6 card (white or colored) for each room
• Hershey kisses (one for each person in room)
• Small stickers or rubber stamp (something to go with retreat theme, to stamp onto or place on the completed card)
Print the following message on a card for each person in a room:
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8, NIV).
Sorry we couldn't be here to tuck you in, but we can give you a kiss good night.
Sorry we couldn't be here to tuck you in, but we can give you a kiss good night.
Then fold the card in the center after you have typed the messages; place the card and kisses on the nightstand in the rooms.
Women's Ministries Survival Kit
Need small plastic sandwich bags and one of each of the following:
• gum ball
• match
• piece of candy (Tootsie Roll, for example)
• tissue
The survival kit instruction booklet was printed on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper, folded two times into a booklet format.
Women's Ministries Survival Kit
When you go home all full of fizz And then discover you're the only one who is--Should you resign? Fight? Quit? Don't despair! Use this survival kit! This little kit will see you through. It's given with love from us to you. Use the items with care indeed! A little bit may be all you need. Take it with you to use or loan. The fizz you save may be your own!
• Gum - will help you stick to your job
• Candy - will keep you sweet
• Match - use to light a fire under others in your church
• Kleenex - for emergency tears only
• Promise - Hebrews 13:5-6 (Read as often as possible)
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee, n or forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (KJV).
"A Love--Joy--Happiness Kit for You"
Kit contains:
1. Rubber band--to remind you of hugging. For those times you want to hold the world or someone else close
2. Tissue--to dry another's tears or to dry your own so you see the tears of others . . . or to blow your now just because . . .
3. Warm fuzzy (cotton ball or pom pom)--to bring gentle comfort when the world seems cold . . . or to remind you of the love others have for you
4. Recipe--to make when you want to do something special to show you care of just because you're hungry
5. Stationery--to write a long overdue letter to a friend or relative or someone you know is lonely or ill
6. Band aid--to remind you of healing, perhaps hurt feelings of your own or others; or for a small "owie" you got while cooking or cleaning
7. Poem--to reassure you of God's love and my love as well as your love to give to someone else [Editor's note: respect copyright laws]
"These items are in a sandwich bag, for it holds food for the soul and is to be shared with others."
Fragrance Sampler Cards
Need:
• 3 x 5 cards (white used)
• Several sample packets of perfumes/fragrances from Avon or department stores
• rubber stamp (they used one of a home, and two hearts)
• a scripture verse:
"Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2, NIV).
Stamp a design at the top right side of the card (held horizontally). Print the scripture verse below the stamped designs. Adhere the fragrance sample to the left side of the card.
Needle gift pack
Need:
• 3 x 5 card (green was used)
• varying sizes of sewing needles (10 were used per pack)
• A scripture verse
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, [and] reap the fruit of unfailing love" (Hosea 10:12a, NIV).
Print the scripture verse on the right side of the card (held horizontally). Adhere the needles (secured inside a folded card) on the left side.