2025 PRIORITIES

Advance our Dreams: Safe Spaces, Contemplative Retreats, Local Group Gatherings, Marketing/Exposure

       CORE QUESTION: What can we do to invite and train younger women to serve in NEWIM

2025-2028 GOALS

1. Invest in the women on our teams

• Developing handouts and a workshop for those who want to do a half-day retreat with some of the cohort gals.

• Life coaching grant

• Opportunity for small group to go through Fuller curriculum again with Julia Burkhead

• Go to Humbolt - to help lead a 1-day retreat at Leah’s church

2. Increase diversity with natural relationship building

3. Organizational structure and creation of sustainable succession plan (increase fundraising)

• CLA conference

• Help from Ministry Transitions - org. designed to help us thru a successful transition. Discussed Lost in Transition.

• Working with iDonate and Venture 1:9 to learn more about fundraising.

4. Coaching for Women who want to being a Springs Retreat in their Area

5. Increase marketing, branding, and networking efforts

• Attended Christian Leadership Alliance conference and networked with women there. Consulted with Fervor to get help in growing our social media engagement.

• Promotional postcards and NEWIM pens - Janet Lee Royal for her womens conference - 12 interested in getting together in NE Nevada

• Nancy Vance - Washington State/Olympic Pennisula

• Lead Bold / Lead Well / Save the Bay

• Westmont College

 Anger Management—Jesus Style Book Discussion | Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, 3:30 - 4:30 PST

Kathy Collard Miller led nine of us in a discussion of her latest book, Anger, Jesus Style. Each of us had the opportunity to consider what was underlying our anger, in order that we may spot what was truly going on in our hearts that was preventing us from living in the fruit of the Spirit. Throughout the conversation, Kathy reminded us to look to Jesus, who didn’t respond in anger as we naturally would. She showed us that Jesus knew the Father, he knew his character, and could trust him in all circumstances.

“Thank you, Kathy for writing this book. It will be something I’ll refer to often. I so appreciate this time and the work you have done that we have/are benefiting from. God bless you!” - Amy

The Deepest Place online Book Discussion | Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, 2-3 p.m. PST/ six women attended

HOPE, Curt Thompson says, is an ever-deepening attachment to Jesus and awareness of God's loving-kindness to us -- he is with us -- I have been declared right with God and he has joy in who we are. With the help of counseling, perhaps, and a vulnerable group of friends who can show us (embody for us) the grace of Jesus, we can live into our true identity and allow him to redeem our suffering for good. I love the idea that as I am willing to share my vulnerable self, I feel known and loved and grow deeper friendships that allow others to do the same.

The New Loneliness online Book Discussion | Sunday, May 4, 2025,

The Springs Retreats 2025

The Springs - Santa Cruz, CA

The Springs Retreat (2 nights/6 meals) Santa Cruz, CA | Tues - Thurs, Feb. 4-6, 2025 | Learn More

Thirty-six women gathered at Villa Maria Del Mar for a lovely retreat. Twenty-two women from the NEWIM-Fuller Cohort made this their in-person retreat. The theme for the chapels was looking at the women in the New Testament who knew Jesus. The theme for the Cohort was Confession and Forgiveness. The two came together in a really beautiful way. Women wrote:

“The Lord drew me close to him and refreshed me with all of the silence and solitude. He showed me how important it is to have this time. The solitude and silence in the beautiful surroundings, along with the worship in the chapel allowed me to clearly hear the Lord calling me into a deeper relationship with him.”

“God really met me here. I feel centered again in his love for me. I was reminded to trust in him.” - Leah

“I consider this retreat as the Lord’s invitation to come to him and sit at his feet. He has refreshed me through Scriptures, chapel worship, and fellowship with other women.” - Ann

The Springs - Toccoa, Georgia

March 12-14, 2025: The Toccoa (Georgia) Springs Retreat was a time of restoration. Focused on the living water in John 4:1-42 (the woman at the well), we enjoyed worship, devotionals, times of silence and solitude, small group discussions, and beautiful early spring weather. 

A few thoughts from the participants on the impact of the retreat:

• I feel more connected to the Lord, more than I have been in awhile, and I am so grateful for this time.

• When I took time in silence, I truly felt God all around me...in nature, in my journal writing, in my praying, in my worshiping, and just sitting in all God's glory all around me.

• It is hard to be still and in silence and solitude, especially in ministry and at home with kids. The Lord has breathed on me and reminded me of deep breaths and delight in his creation.

• The moment I laid down on a small clearing by a quiet stream listening to "I Believe for It," a strong gust of wind blew all around me, and I truly felt God's presence. It was so warm and loving, I immediately began crying tears of joy knowing my Savior set this exact moment up for me.

  Team Members: Traci Martin, Patricia Arps, Cindi Switzer, Cathy Seo

The Springs - Montipouret, FRANCE

In March 14-16, 2025, Kristin Isaac and Traci Martin hosted a Springs (Le Source in French) Retreat in the quintessential town of Montipouret, FRANCE. The rural town was built in the 1100s and was the perfect location for the 12 women attending. The theme of The Springs—France was based on Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42). For all but 3 of the women, the idea of a guided silent retreat was new. The women arrived after work on Friday, exhausted and apprehensive. By Sunday, they were asking for another day. Each met with Jesus and was refreshed. 

These translated comments demonstrated how impactful The Springs was for these women.

• He reaffirmed truths in my life. He gave me clarity on a situation. I have reconnected with God and been encouraged in my identity and purpose. And I rested. As a church leader and a mother of a small child, I was able to rest.

• He gave me a hug and allowed me to cry a lot in his arms. And empty 45 years of repressed and swallowed tears (and now there are many more to come). I was able to make peace with who I am because I always thought I was such a disappointment.

• The Lord was present with gentleness and through His creation. I have been refreshed, which reaffirms and anchors my trust in the power of our God, relinquishing to His will, with a call to yield to the way he has prepared for me. The moment of confession allowed me to be fully available to God.

Springs Retreat - Three Rivers, California

Pastors’ Wives Retreat - Balboa Island, California April 25-27, 2025

One participant wrote: “This weekend provided the perfect opportunity for me to move, be visually inspired, and also sit quietly with my addled brain and burdened heart to seek the Lord. When I couldn't focus, I hadn't missed my window of opportunity to meet with Him (like at home). I simply took a walk or did some other activity and came back to it again, without guilt or frustration, there was more time and that allowed me to relax with the Lord. That was so powerful for me! The other factor that is the most important one for me to share with you, is that I know what I received from the Lord had so much to do with the prayers poured over me. I cannot emphasize this enough! Please know your prayers have been so very effective!!!! And I am so grateful to have been one of the women you banged heaven's gate for! No amount of me seeking Him alone would have yielded the same fruit as being so deeply prayed over. I cannot thank you enough for praying so deeply and sincerely for me - a stranger to your world even if we are sisters in Christ. The emotional/spiritual breakthrough came and my heart hasn't been this light or free in so very long. Thank you for saying "Yes" to Jesus in this ministry and thank you from the bottom of my heart for ministering to me!!!!

Another pastor’s wife wrote: “In your opening prayer while washing my feet on Friday morning you said: “The heavens are rejoicing over this moment” — and I knew deeply in my spirit that this was true. I have not ever been *this* refreshed, blessed, served, loved on, and filled until full. I have probably not been this loved on in all of my years as a pastor’s wife … but the last 3.5 years have been a deep kind of “hard”, and I was deeply in need of refreshing. Watching me being blessed like this has also been deeply impactful for some of the people that are closest to me, praying over and watching our struggles. One of the dear women in our congregation who faithfully prays for me said it encouraged her in her prayers for me, knowing they were heard! I know it left an impact on our oldest daughters, whom I often tell that God vindicates and rewards me when they feel like I “do” or “love” too much. They loved watching me being “spoiled” like that. My deepest and most sincere thanks to both of you. I feel like I found kindred spirits for eternity. “

Pastors’ Wives Retreat - Northern California, April 25-27, 2025

The Spring 2025 NorCal Pastor's Wives Retreat was a lovely gathering of 9 Pastor's Wives and 4 hosts. The goal of our time together was to refresh and encourage the women in their individual journeys with the Lord, but also to foster a safe and structured environment to build bonds of friendship and support between the women. NEWIM volunteers understand the uniquely challenging and wonderful roles of women married to church leaders, so this weekend was offered to the women at no charge to themselves. This retreat is structured as a balance between rest, fun, guided individual and corporate prayer times, and connecting activities.  We hope they felt loved on, cared for, and valued just as they are - Not because of what they do, but because of who they are. NEWIM leaders believe that Pastor's Wives who serve Jesus out of an overflowing of love can have far more impact on the Kingdom of God than a woman serving out of duty and expectations. Please consider joining NEWIM in the mission of encouraging Pastor's Wives through this annual retreat. All donations to NEWIM marked "NorCal Pastor's Wives Retreat" will go directly toward the rental fees, travel expenses, food, and meaningful retreat experiences offered to these amazing women. (-written by Christy Wold)

NEWIM-Fuller Spiritual Formation Cohort 2024/2025

Twenty-four women joined the cohort this year. Luann Budd, Heidi Glynn, Traci Martin, Lindsay Baldwin and Janet Lee Royal are the small groups leaders. Luann, Heidi and Traci facilitate the retreat.

The cohort began with a full, two-day Virtual Retreat in August. We then began reflecting on our Calling, our strengths, and how the two go together. Listening Prayer practices came next, followed by another virtual retreat on LISTENING. Gratitude, Two-Minute Prayer were our practices over the holidays and at the beginning of February, the group gathered for their only in-person retreat in conjunction with the Springs Retreat Santa Cruz. Twenty-two women were able to join us.

Lament prayer followed the retreat.

One small group leader wrote about her small group’s experience with the practice of lament: “This was deep, powerful, emotional, heart-wrenching. My group shared so freely. I believe this practice was life changing for each of us. The unity shared in our safe space was amazing, and each expressed that this was deepened because of our time together in Santa Cruz. We prayed for one another with words of scripture and encouragement. Spirit-filled time together.”

Brazil House -

Board Members

June Chambliss completed her three-year term on the Board of Directors (2022-2025). She served as Chair for 2 of those years and was an invaluable support to Luann. June oversaw a complete update of NEWIM’s policies and procedures and spearheaded the initiative to create a succession plan. June is adamant that NEWIM needs to be in a financial position to offer a part-time salary to the Executive Director stating, “times have changed.” To attract a strong pool of experienced women leaders, NEWIM will need to be prepared to offer a salary.

Patricia Arps began her three-year term on the Board of Directors. Patricia has served on the Springs Retreat Team in Georgia and has been editing the NEWIM newsletter every month since Kim Bagato stepped down in June 2023.

Kathy Collard Miller stepped down from leading NEWIM’s Writers’ Group in June. She has been leading the Writer's’ Group monthly since its inception eight years ago. Monica Brislawn agreed to facilitate the group.

Erin Schwab partners with NEWIM to offer life coaching for women in ministry.

The Quest - A new Men’s Retreat offered by Traveling Together Ministries based on NEWIM’s Springs Retreat was held Feb. 26-28, 2025. The retreat was held at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center and facilitated by Dave Larson (Gena serves on the Springs Team) and Kevin Budd (Luann’s husband). Eighteen men attended—all but two are pastors. Over the three days, the men were walked through a contemplative retreat. The feedback was great.

South Africa Beautiful Day Retreats

NEWIM continues to raise funds and donate $3,000 to help provide scholarships for women who attend these retreats in South Africa.

Retreats This Year

Glenda writes: God has pressed into my heart that we need to do a Pastors Wives Retreat as well as our Young Adult (single) Ladies which has become very popular here as young women who attended in the past would now love to bring their friends to experience a retreat. With this change, we have all received in unison this confirmation that this is to be it. Women who are in those categories, NEED to be in a safe place together. This is our challenge, but we are trusting God for His provision and that you, our donors will be able to support us again this year. Sadly, some of our usual venues have mentioned to us that they can no longer accept our total weekend cost of R1850 per woman. We are very grateful that our April venue has accepted this. We realise that cost of living is increasing globally.

April 11-13, 2025 

RENEW weekend retreat

June 27-29, 2025 

Pastors Wives weekend retreat

August 22-24, 2025 

Young Adult Single Ladies weekend retreat

November 7-9, 2025 

Ladies weekend retreat

Writers’ Getaway NEW! in 2025 Pam Farrel will be leading with Cindi McMenamin (1 night, 4 meals) Three Rivers, CA | Tues - Wed, April 1-2, 2025 |Learn More & Register

The Springs Retreat (2 nights/5 meals) Three Rivers, CA | Wed - Friday, April 2-4, 2025 | Learn More & Register

Circles of Connection, A Small Group Just for Pastors’ Wives | Thursday, June 19, 4-5:30 p.m. PDT/7-8:30 p.m. EDT | Zoom | Learn More & Sign Up

The New Loneliness online Book Discussion | Sunday, June 29, 2025, 2-3 p.m. PST/ Zoom | Learn More & Register

The Amazing Home - A Portuguese Retreat | August 7 - 10, 2025 | Learn More and Register

Bully Pulpit—Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church Online Book Discussion | Sunday, August 10 | 2-3 p.m. PDT/5-6 p.m. EDT | Learn More & Register

ConnectsLive - monthly Zoom small group

Met monthly January - June, took a break for the summer…