9 Ways to Plan Women's Retreat So the Chronically Ill Can Attend

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9 Ways to Plan Women's Retreat So the Chronically Ill Can Attend
by Lisa Copen

We often assume that the chronically ill are in the minority, however, you may be surprised to know that nearly 1 in 2 people in the USA have a chronic illness and about 96% of it is invisible. Are these women attending church retreats?  Too many of them are suffering silently.  They are depressed, isolated, and sometimes questioning if God really cares. Others, you will find, are some of the wisest, joyful, and spiritually mature women you will ever meet.  They will touch your retreat attendees in ways that even the planned speaker will not.  But are any of them coming?

Rest Ministries, which is the largest Christian organization that serves the chronically ill, recently did a survey about attending retreats while living with a chronic illness. Out of the 20 respondents, 17 reported that they participated less in retreats since their diagnosis. When asked why the responses were:

Three said, "Accessibility issues (I know I can't easily get to and from different buildings at the retreat)"; 6 people reported, "The pain factor. It's just too draining"; 4 responded, "The unpredictable health issues"; and 10 said, "A combination of the above."

So, how could you encourage women with chronic illness to get involved in your church retreat?

1. When deciding upon your retreat location, ask a lot of questions about the center and promote the fact that you have this information before people even register.

For example, ask the retreat center personnel about factors such as: Are the hills steep?  Are there carts available for transportation?  How far are the rooms from the main meeting center? Is there seating available other then collapsible metal folding chairs?  What about elevators? 

One woman shares, "I stopped going a year or so ago because the retreat planner does not tell you what is expected, or about walking, stairs, etc. They need to be more honest." Those with chronic illness typically look for retreat centers held in locations where little walking is necessary and preferably the ground is flat.  Large homes or hotels are also good options.  While it's easy for a retreat planner to assume that fifty yards is a "short walking distance," fifty steps may be exhausting for some people.  So provide the actual distances on your promotional flyer. Don't just write "Rooms are a short walking distance from the main building."

2. Understand that women desire to go on retreats and socialize with others, but they must feel that the retreat planner understands that they will be on their own schedule.

Margaret, who lives with a malignant brain tumor and uterine cancer says, "I don't attend because people don't want to understand or accept that sometimes I have to retreat from the 'retreat.' Sometimes I have to go back to my room and get some rest. Other people decide that I'm escaping from my problems, and demand that I participate in whatever event was planned. I'm not trying to be anti-social. I will participate when God enables me to do so; but at the same time, when God tells me to rest, I must rest despite what the [retreat] 'timetable' states." As a retreat planner you can help this by posting the retreat's schedule at least a week before the event on the church's web site.