“Now I see”

GMY Lenten Retreat

Friday 31st March to Sunday 2nd April

We are exited to announce the 2023 GMY Lenten Retreat. Retreats are a time for quiet reflection, prayer and meditation, in an environment of Christian fellowship. The retreat will be run over 2 nights at Whitehall Guest House in Queenscliff. The theme of the retreat is ‘Now I see’ where we will focus on how the gift of baptism has illumined us to see Christ and encounter Him in all things. We will discuss how sin blinds us and how repentance renews our sight, and how this can practically be lived out in everyday life. On the retreat we will have daily liturgies, midnight praises, quiet time and dedicated periods of reading and reflection.

As this is a spiritual retreat and not a camp, we will be focused on prayer, reading and worship with time for fellowship together each evening. There won’t be any camp activities etc as we will leave that for our annual GMY camp which is always a great time of fun and fellowship. We kindly request that on this retreat you either don’t bring your mobile, or hand it in to the servants/Abouna to keep locked away in a safe place, as if we have our phones on us it will not allow us to focus on the retreat. If you need to make any important calls, or if your parents wish to contact you, you will be free to use a dedicated phone at any time you wish. This may sound hard and you may be worried about things such as snapchat streaks but dont let this stop you from coming, speak to Abouna or one of the servants about this if you like :)

The total cost for the two-night retreat including accommodation, meals, transport and resources is $140. Due to the limited space at Whitehall there will only be 30 spaces available. To keep the flow of the retreat together, everyone must attend from beginning to end- no day trips. To register please complete the link below.

God willing we will leave church at 6:30pm on Friday 31st March and carpool to Queenscliff to begin at 8pm sharp. We will leave Queenscliff on Sunday at 2pm.

We hope that you will join us on the retreat to spend this unique opportunity in lent which is considered the spiritual storehouse of the year. If you haven’t been on a retreat before this will be a fantastic opportunity to go on your first one. It may sound challenging, but once you get through the detachment of technology and noise, you will experience an unbelievable peace, stillness and clarity.

Registrations Close on Friday the 17th of March

Signup Form

Name

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Any dietary requirements/allergies/medical conditions?

I am aware that this a retreat and as such there will be dedicated times for silence.

Yes

I am aware that to attend I need to hand in my phone to be locked away (we do this each year and it does wonders)

Please speak to Abouna or one of the servants if this is a genuine reason that you need your phone before completing this form.

Yes

I will be there for the entire time

Yes

Emergency Contact Name

Emergency Contact Number

Please tick this box once you have payed following the instructions below (Please contact Abouna or one of the servants for any difficulty with payment)

Please make payments ($140) online via bank transfer ACC Name: St Virgin Mary Coptic Orthodox Church BSB: 063-000 ACC NO. 1338-9822 Please add in the description your first name and initial of surname and Youth Retreat. e.g. "Doug G Youth Retreat"

I have payed

I will speak to Abouna or one of the servants