Winding down takes on a whole new meaning when women gather for an Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida retreat.

Fifty women ventured to the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo March 10-12 for the latest Holy Trinity Women’s Retreat. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Melbourne, has sponsored the annual event for many years, with attendance jumps prompting organizers to move the retreat to Canterbury for the better part of the last decade.

“The retreat went very well and seemed to be enjoyed by all who attended,” said K.C. Crawley, children’s minister at Holy Trinity (where Pam and Steve Easterday are co-rectors) and committee co-chair for the 2017 Holy Trinity Women’s Retreat.

“The Holy Trinity Women’s Retreat is held each year to give women an opportunity to slow down from the busyness of life, to listen to God, to learn something new about their faith, Scripture and also to connect with friends old and new around the diocese,” Crawley said. “This year, we focused on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: ‘Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’”

The Rev. Phyllis Bartle, rector at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City, keynoted the retreat. “Rev. Phyllis was well-received as our guest speaker,” Crawley said. Clare Toy led the music and worship for the event.

Several workshop options were offered on Saturday. “They included ‘Flowers to the Glory of God,’ ‘Sacred Colors’ and ‘Walking With God, Ourselves and Others’ with Dr. Sharon Jones, to name a few,” Crawley said. She added that attendees also enjoyed fellowship time, a Saturday-night healing service and Sunday-morning Eucharist.

The 2018 Holy Trinity Women’s Retreat is scheduled for March 9-11 at Canterbury. For more information, call 321-723-5272.