The recently released movie "Amelia" is a look at the life of the legendary female pilot Amelia Earhart, who in 1928 became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and later attempt to fly around the world. She was, by all accounts, unconventional; flying planes at a time when many women weren't even driving cars. She was also a woman of great courage, pressing past the nagging voices of naysayers and fear-riddled doubters to enthusiastically live out her passion. Her compelling need "to fly" outweighed any of her own fears that might have held her back.

You and I might look at someone like Amelia and say, "Wow, to have the courage to go where or do what no one ever has before "I couldn't do that." But the truth is that the story each of us lives out is uniquely ours, "where no one has ever gone before." Our individual story is enfolded into the greater story of what God is up to in this vast and splendidly alive universe He has made. Whatever phase of life we find ourselves in - college student, young adult, working professional, soccer mom, grandmother, retiree - God is inviting us to take courageous steps out of that which holds us back and towards the life of freedom, wild adventure, and renewal that He has prepared for us.

The theme of our Women's Retreat this year is centered around this very thing, and is called "Courageous Hearts." In this abundant life under God that is offered to us, He invites us to courageously leave the familiar and the things that have held us captive; follow where He wants to take us in life and in who we are becoming; be able to fully engage and trust Him wherever we are; and learn how to enlarge our view of our story under His larger story and what is being accomplished in His Kingdom now and for future generations. And we believe that it is good, rather, essential for us to travel courageously together across generations - young and old, and in-between. Simply put, we need each other. Those of us who are "seasoned" in age have much to learn from our younger friends. Likewise for those of us who are younger and heading into territory already covered by the women ahead of us. So, this year, we want to invite all women aged 16 and up to join us at Zephyr Point in South Lake Tahoe for our retreat. We're even offering a $50 discount to those aged 16 - 24 to help make it possible for our younger friends to come.

Whether you're a long-time Oak Hillian or are fairly new to our church, go on retreat every year, haven't gone in a long time, or have never gone, take the courageous step to join us for this fabulous weekend of belly laughter, learning, fun, and growth. Stop by the Spotlight Booth and reserve your spot with a $50 deposit. Check out our blog at oakhillschurchwomensretreat.blogspot.com.

March 13 - Prayer Walks
March 14 - Daylight Saving Time begins
March 14 - Mission Trip Info Meeting
March 20 - Prayer Walks
March 21 - Transition Center Meals Meeting
April 10 - Men's Breakfast
April 30 - May 2 - Women's Retreat
June 14-18 - Arts Camp