Women's Weekend
What is Women’s Weekend? Women's Weekend, originally called Women’s Retreat, was begun in 1968. It is a time for the female-identifying people of Eliot Chapel to get away from whatever we usually do (i.e., job, home, family) and be with each other, doing something different than our normal day-to-day. Who is Women’s Weekend for? Women’s weekend is for anyone seeking beloved community who identifies at the female end of the spectrum, regardless of gender at birth. No matter where you are in your faith journey or what religion you may (or may not) identify with, no matter what your financial circumstances might be, no matter your ethnicity, no matter your gender presentation, no matter who you love, you are welcome at Women’s Weekend. Our core values are freedom, reason, respect, and love. What do we do at Women’s Weekend? We share our hobbies, interests, and skills with one another through workshops. We share ourselves with each other, and network. We sing. We create. We support one another. Some of us just come to rest. There are bonfires, independent hiking, a maze/labyrinth to walk, music, coloring, name-button making, a silent auction supporting the scholarship fund, masseuses, and general conversation and merry-making. If you don’t already have a friend before you come, you will before you leave! Where is Women’s Weekend held? We rent the Toddhall Retreat Center in Columbia, Illinois, about 15 minutes from the Jefferson Barracks Bridge. What are the accommodations like? The rooms are basic motel rooms containing two beds and a full bathroom with tub and shower. Sheets, pillows, blankets, and towels are provided. The Center is not ADA compliant, but most buildings have only a one-step change of level. You will need to walk outdoors from building to building, but the pathways are paved. When does Women’s weekend happen? We book Wilson Hall and the 25 attached rooms at Toddhall Retreat Center annually on the third weekend in May to accommodate our 60+ attendees. Why is Women’s Weekend held the third weekend in May? The third weekend in May is the only weekend that Toddhall has sufficient space available for our retreat. What do we eat? The Center has a cafeteria style dining hall. You have the option of “regular” or “vegetarian” meals, but you must choose your menu options when you fill out your reservation information; Toddhall orders the food ahead of time, and they order only the meals we pay for in advance, so last-minute changes cannot be accommodated. But, whichever you choose, the food is good, and freshly prepared. What about special diets, such as gluten-free? If you are gluten-intolerant, you will need to bring your own food, since Toddhall does not have the separate kitchen required for preparation of gluten-free foods. For other conditions/allergies, you will have to judge for yourself what to eat from what is available. How do I sign up? Just fill out the registration form, online or on paper. Registration for Women’s Weekend 2024 will open March 16th! How do I pay? After we receive you application form, you will get a confirmation email with a link to how to pay. |
