G
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The Friendship Connection
Autumn 2013
Promoting the Formation of Friendship between Pastors’ Wives
Retreat Encourages
Pastors Wives to
with
God’s
Fall in Love…
Word
Imprint Your Word on My Heart was the theme of this year’s Pastors Wives Retreat. The Retreat began Friday
with a devotion foreshadowing what we would be learning on Saturday: “On My Heart, Imprint Your Image”. We
had a rollicking good time with not one, not two, but several ice-breakers situated at various tables. It was an
“organized chaos” type of fun, which this reporter likened to “speed dating” since each table had a question
that shared a bit about yourself (example: pick 3 numbers that relate to you and explain why to the rest of the
people at the table).
After the ice was definitely melted, this year’s Retreat Committee then presented “7 Things We Wish We Were
Told Before We Became Pastors’ Wives”. We then enjoyed a skit put on by two of the Wives. One played a
Pastor’s Wife, another donned a blue highlighter “moustache” and played the Pastor. Both the “7 Things” and
the skit were not only extremely funny, they certainly struck some bittersweet chords as well.
The next morning, after eating breakfast, we had some time to mingle and
sing together with Katie Nafzger leading us with the guitar.
Yes, the Bible is the
After the singing, our speaker, Linda Rinne, herself a Pastor’s wife in Crystal,
and a very dynamic speaker, conducted Session 1: Falling in Love with God’s
Word of Almighty God.
Word. Prior to the Retreat, the Wives were challenged to read out loud,
But it also happens to be
everyday, from Phillipians. Linda let us know that if something is read, heard
and said, all at the same time, it can lead up to a 70% retention rate.
a jolly good read.
Obviously, the Word of God was meant to be read aloud. Linda also
-Francis Bacon
explained how God’s Word could be read like a novel. “When we are reading
a novel, do we stop after a chapter? No, of course not, we are so involved
with the novel, we don’t put it down, we sometimes stay up all night, reading it.”
Linda also encouraged the Wives to share God’s Word in a dynamic way to our children and grandchildren,
referencing the book Like Ice Cream by Keith Ferrin. Our children learned ice cream is delicious because we
opened up a carton, spooned it into everyone’s dish and started devouring it. “Yum! This is soooo good! Isn’t
this wonderful? Isn’t this great?” When we read the bible to our children we should do the same---do they
know we love the Word of God? “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s
delight…” Jeremiah 15:16.
Between Session 1 and Session 2, the Wives had lunch and time
to personally reflect. During this “in-between” time, the Wives were
directed to a table with a rich resource of prayer suggestions and
ideas.
For Session 2, Linda continued to emphasize how the Word of
God works in our lives. Interspersed between Linda’s speaking, we
would break and have Table Top Discussions, which were questions
that we worked through at each table relating to the theme of
imprinting God’s Word in our hearts. The Wives apparently were
having some very good discussions because it was only by Katie’s
ability to whistle with two fingers that we could stop talking!
In Session 2, the Wives were also delighted to be introduced to
some of the Pastors’ Wives involved in POBLO International
Ministries (see article in this newsletter).
The Retreat encouraged the Wives to fall in love with God’s
Word; I believe this goal was accomplished---head over heels!
7 Things Pastors’ Wives Wish They Had
Been Told…
….Before they Became Pastors’ Wives
Did You Know?
1. I wish someone had told me just to be myself.
This year’s Retreat was the 30th
my husband and me…and that I shouldn’t care.
Wives’ Retreat, which was held in 1983 at
2. I wish someone had prepared me to deal with criticism of
Anniversary of the very first Pastors
3. I wish someone had reminded me that my husband is
Camp Omega. Our donations this year go
human; and that I wasn’t the one who needed to remind
to Camp Omega.
him!
4. I wish someone had told me that others were watching
This year’s Retreat met at the Fairbridge
us; and it is o.k.
Hotel in Belle Plaine October 4th and 5th
5. I wish someone had told me there are some really mean
with 40 ladies present and two sweet
people in the church.
6. I wish someone had told me how much my husband
babies.
needs me to build him up.
7. I wish someone had told me that my schedule would
never be normal again.
Praying For Hurts
(You need a blank piece of paper and a book of matches)
The world is broken in many ways. Everyone experiences broken relationships. Our relationships with others, God, the planet
and oneself.
What hurtful things have been said to you? What hurtful things have been done to you? If you were to write a word, or draw a
symbol to describe these, what would it be?
Draw it on the paper, and as you do, acknowledge Gods’ presence here with you now.
Now, flip over the paper (or take another fresh sheet). Think of what hurtful things you have said and done. If you were to
write a word or draw a symbol to describe these, what would it be? Draw it on the paper and as you do, continue to allow God
to be part of the process.
Look at your symbols; do you want to take them with you? Or do you want to let them go?
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus said, “If you let go of the
hurtful things people do to you, so God will also let go of the hurtful things you do.” This is forgiveness.
Think carefully. Are you willing to let go? If you are, then use the matches to light your paper on fire. Let go of the paper. Let
go of the hurts as God lets go of the hurtful things you do. You are loved. You are free. You are forgiven.
Autumn 2013
Page 3
Connection Communication
The Connection Communication
The Friendship Connection Committee
Linda Becker, Retreat Counselor
1546 James Drive
N. Mankato, 56003
(507) 344-1699

Barbara Dahl
14506 Bunker Dr.
Waseca, MN 56093
(507) 835-3211
Darlene Fretham, Treasurer
209 West Central Street
Springfield, MN 56087
(507) 723-6230
Carole Hannemann, Historian
580 Barley St. SW
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 234-8989
the EDITOR’S
Corner
The Pastors’ Wives Retreats are so edifying!
If you weren’t able to make it to this year’s
Retreat, for whatever reason, I’ve made this
newsletter into a “mini-Retreat” for you.
Enclosed in this newsletter are not only just
the notes of what went on from the Retreat,
but the following: the hilarious (and oh so
true) “7 Things We Wish We Were Told
Before We Became Pastors’ Wives”, one of
the Prayer Suggestions from the Prayer
Table, and a delicious recipe that we
sampled at the Share a Snack Table, and a
surprise(!) visit from some special missionary
sisters at POBLO in Rochestor.
I want you to get the feeling that you
attended the Retreat; that you were
refreshed and recharged as a Child of God,
and maybe that next year, you’ll attend and
experience the Retreat for yourself!
Janice Schoenfeld, Secretary
8187 Johansen Ave. South
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
(651) 459-2830
Email the
Friendship Connection Editors
With
your Suggestions, Articles, and/or Ideas at:
[email protected]
Newsletter Editors
Content &
Hardcopy
Email Editor:
Editor:
 Cami Hafner
Darlene Fretham
205 N. Ramsey St.
209 West Central
Blue Earth, MN
Springfield, MN
56013
56087
(507) 526.4446
(507)723.6230
Email above
darlenefretham @gmail.com
Getting Connected with The Connection
If you are receiving this newsletter in your
mailbox, please consider receiving via email!
It saves mailing costs, it’s easy and it’s
colorful! Send us your email to our email at
left. Thanks to all of you who have done
this! We understand that if you don’t have
email, no problem. You’ll still receive the
Connection vial mail. Please consider
sending $3 to help defray costs for a whole
year of The Connection (send to Darlene’s
address, at left).
Another fun way to get connected:
Check us out on Facebook at
MN South Pastor’s Wives
A Treat at the Retreat:
A Surprise
Missionary Visit
During the Retreat, missionaries
Bonnie Haugen, Mariam Gayed, and
Tiffany Faye (right) from POBLO
came and spoke to the Wives about
their witness. POBLO (People Of
the Book Lutheran Outreach)
International Ministries is a mission
movement which trains and sends
ethnic missionaries to minister in
partnership with congregations
desiring to bring the Gospel of Jesus
Christ to new Americans. And Rochestor is home to POBLO’s newest ministry!
Bonnie Haugen told the Wives how she became involved with POBLO, and that the missionary work done in
Rochestor among Muslims. “By reaching the Muslims in Rochestor, we’re able to spread the Gospel also to the
Muslims in the Twin Cities.”
Mariam Gayed then spoke. Both she and her husband, John, are Egyptian missionaries who bravely shared the
Gospel there, and who now spread the Gospel here. Mariam had a very compelling story of what life was like in
Egypt as Christian missionaries; and the struggle that is still going on as Christians are persecuted for their faith
during governmental changes…more than 40 churches have been burned down there. Can you imagine that
happening here? Mariam also shared that her family members in Egypt are in hiding; they don’t know where they
are, or if they are o.k. Please pray for them, and all Christians suffering persecution.
Need a missionary speaker for a ladies group, church get-together or mission focus? Tiffany gave out cards with
her husband’s name for speaking engagements. His name is Mesgana Morris and his office number (507) 2584155. There is an article on the Minnesota South District website (mnsdistrict.org) on Rev. Morris called “The
Problo at POBLO”, with a picture of the hugest zucchini on his desk! Find out why he bought it and learn more
about POBLO in Rochester at that website. What a wonderful opportunity God has given us to help and support
missions right here in our own backyard of the Minnesota South District. Check out POBLO online at
www.poblo.org.
The ladies from POBLO also surprised us a second time by announcing that they would like to be next year’s
Retreat Planning Committee.
A Heartfelt Thanks to this year’s
Retreat Planning Committee
Lynette Keinath
Kristin McMurry
Katie Nafzger
Linda Rinne
Ruth Seabaugh
Lynn Thompson
Verna Volker
eing the Editor of this Newsletter is so
rewarding; I get to travel, meet great people,
eat good things! The only thing is there is only
so much room in the newsletter…I easily could
have filled 2 more pages. It frustrates me
because I couldn’t fit it all in! So in the next
edition of The Friendship Connection, you’ll see
even more articles that I gleaned…all from the
Retreat this year:
-Lynn Thompson’s recipe “Nutty Snack Mix”
-The Skit “A Pastor and his Wife”
-Interviews from our fellow sisters in Christ
-Book Suggestions by Linda Rinne
…and much more!
…..
As I sit and listen to the "ping" of my
newly canned hot pepper jelly, I
remembered that I'd promised to send
the recipe for the dip that I brought to the
retreat to put in the next Friendship
Connection. I included my recipe for the
jelly, but any purchased kind can be
used. The person I got the dip recipe
from first had it made with Raspberry Hot
Pepper Jelly and said it was wonderful.
The variations are endless!
If you try it, I hope you enjoy it!
Rachel Hinz
HOT PEPPER JELLY
yield: 3-3½ pints
Rough-chop (by hand or in food processor):
2 cups chopped red bell peppers (about 3)
1 cup green bell peppers (about 2)
1 cup jalapeños (about 10 large)
Add as directed below:
1 cup cider vinegar
5 cups sugar
1 box Sure-Jell
½ tsp. butter
Put peppers into large pot. Add vinegar. Stir in SureJell and add butter. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring
constantly. Immediately stir in all of sugar. Bring
back to full rolling boil and boil 1 minute, stirring
constantly. Remove from heat; skim foam if necessary. Pour into jars to 1/8" from top; seal. Cool 1-1½ hour, then
shake vigorously to distribute peppers.
Pour over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers or use in Hot Pepper Jelly Dip (recipe below).
(I have sealed the jars by turning them upside down for 10 minutes, then turning right side up, but sometimes they
don’t all seal and we have to eat it sooner – not a real problem! But to be sure they seal, I often put the jars in a
hot water bath for 5 minutes. The jelly may take a few weeks to set, and sometimes it doesn’t at all – but it’s still
good… My sister – who gave me this recipe – freezes her jars after they cool.)
HOT PEPPER JELLY DIP
8 oz. cream cheese
4-5 green onions, chopped (use whites and greens)
1 to 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
(original recipe says 2 cups)
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, reserving a few for on top
(original recipe says 2 cups)
8 to 12 oz hot pepper jelly, reserving some for on top
Town House crackers
Mix all ingredients, reserving a few nuts and a little jelly.
Put in a pie plate that has been lined with enough plastic
wrap to fold back over the dip and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to serve, unwrap it and plop out (upside down)
onto a plate. Spread the reserved jelly on top and sprinkle
with reserved pecans.
You can make this according to the directions or just
mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and serve that way.
No matter how it’s served, it always gets raves:
“The worst-looking, best-tasting dip ever!”
Thanks Rachel for this recipe! I
can hear those jars “pinging” in
my mind. I think jars of Hot
Pepper Jelly would make very
nice Christmas presents to give
away, don’t you?
Our Mission Statement
The Friendship Connection
is an organization to provide
opportunities for Pastors’ Wives
to encourage one another,
share common concerns and similar experiences,
and promote the formation of friendships.
Are you a Pastor’s Wife/Fiancée or Vicar’s Wife/Fiancée
and live in the Minnesota South District?
Then you are an important part of the Friendship Connection!
The Friendship Connection Newsletter
209 West Central Street
Springfield, MN 56087