Create
Creative people are not afraid of exploration and using their imagination. They implement new ideas, bring light to old perspectives, and reinvent current situations through their unique vision.
Visionary |
Comfortable with Self |
Passionate |
Drive to Make Ideas Realities |
Imaginative |
Kappa Theta Beta Fall Retreat 2012
As Chaplain of my sorority, Kappa Theta Beta, I had the opportunity to plan a weekend retreat for my sisters in Fall 2012. The goal of the weekend was to bring my sisters closer to Christ through each other inspired by Psalm 90:14.
"Fill us at daybreak with your mercy, that all our days we may sing for joy!"
"Fill us at daybreak with your mercy, that all our days we may sing for joy!"
|
|
|
As Chaplain of Kappa Theta Beta (KTB), one of the highlights of my job description is planning retreats for my sisters. Retreats are an integral part of KTB because they strive to bring our sisters closer together and closer to God. I knew from the moment I found out that I was called to serve as Chaplain that I had a big responsibility to fill.
In stepping into the position of Chaplain, I was given some really great advice from the previous Chaplain that carried me throughout the year:
"Alyce, you are not defined by the Chaplain position.
You are bringing Alyce to the Chaplain position."
And that is what I sought to do in every part of my job description: give of myself, my strengths, and talents to the Chaplain position.
Although I had been in KTB for the past two years, I had actually never had the opportunity to attend a Fall Retreat. This actually gave me an advantage, because I created my own vision that was unlike any other Chaplain had done. Ultimately, I wanted the girls to feel welcomed and loved, as this would be many pledges' first big event in Kappa Theta Beta and would welcome back our active sisters.
I started with a theme which came to me while I was daydreaming ideas: morning sunshine. From there, I centered everything around this theme. I found a bible verse that fit the theme, and was able to bring more structure to my idea with three talk themes, craft ideas, and even meal ideas.
The verse was Psalm 90:14, "Fill us at daybreak with your mercy, that all our days we may sing for joy." The talks were "Here Comes the Son," "Mary, Morningstar So Strong and Bright," and "You Are My Sunshine." We had a sunflower picture frame craft, breakfast for dinner, sun decorations, talks in a "garden" and praise and worship under the morning stars just to name a few activities.
For the past few years, each Chaplain had used a retreat schedule that was passed down for a few years, however, I knew that returning sisters needed a change in routine and a schedule that was more efficient and effective. I talked to my adviser and she agreed. We worked together to make the retreat something new, from beginning to end, and the retreat evaluations proved that the actives thought this was the best Fall Retreat yet, and our pledges could not wait for the next retreat!
One of my most favorite thing about Fall Retreat was bringing in a speaker, which KTB had never done before for a Fall Retreat. I invited a former Aggie Catholic, Kathryn Whitaker, who runs a popular blog called Team Whitaker, all about her family and their exciting life. This was one of the girls' favorite things about Fall Retreat, as well. The girls had dinner with Kathryn, and then she shared with us her wisdom about living a faithful life throughout college and afterward. She gave us her ten tips for "Saying Yes to God!" The most precious gift that Kathryn gave us that weekend was the gift of her time and friendship that has lasted ever since. Kathryn has a big social media presence, and she still communicates with Kappa Theta Beta girls today via her blog and Twitter. This connection is something new and exciting, and it has made a difference in all of our lives.
I am so happy that this retreat, as well as the KTB Spring Retreat 2013, were such successes. It was inspiring to take my ideas and run with them! I took so much joy in putting my own personal touch on each part of the retreat planning process. It has been such a gift to give that to my sisters: to bring them closer to God by giving of my time and talents.
In stepping into the position of Chaplain, I was given some really great advice from the previous Chaplain that carried me throughout the year:
"Alyce, you are not defined by the Chaplain position.
You are bringing Alyce to the Chaplain position."
And that is what I sought to do in every part of my job description: give of myself, my strengths, and talents to the Chaplain position.
Although I had been in KTB for the past two years, I had actually never had the opportunity to attend a Fall Retreat. This actually gave me an advantage, because I created my own vision that was unlike any other Chaplain had done. Ultimately, I wanted the girls to feel welcomed and loved, as this would be many pledges' first big event in Kappa Theta Beta and would welcome back our active sisters.
I started with a theme which came to me while I was daydreaming ideas: morning sunshine. From there, I centered everything around this theme. I found a bible verse that fit the theme, and was able to bring more structure to my idea with three talk themes, craft ideas, and even meal ideas.
The verse was Psalm 90:14, "Fill us at daybreak with your mercy, that all our days we may sing for joy." The talks were "Here Comes the Son," "Mary, Morningstar So Strong and Bright," and "You Are My Sunshine." We had a sunflower picture frame craft, breakfast for dinner, sun decorations, talks in a "garden" and praise and worship under the morning stars just to name a few activities.
For the past few years, each Chaplain had used a retreat schedule that was passed down for a few years, however, I knew that returning sisters needed a change in routine and a schedule that was more efficient and effective. I talked to my adviser and she agreed. We worked together to make the retreat something new, from beginning to end, and the retreat evaluations proved that the actives thought this was the best Fall Retreat yet, and our pledges could not wait for the next retreat!
One of my most favorite thing about Fall Retreat was bringing in a speaker, which KTB had never done before for a Fall Retreat. I invited a former Aggie Catholic, Kathryn Whitaker, who runs a popular blog called Team Whitaker, all about her family and their exciting life. This was one of the girls' favorite things about Fall Retreat, as well. The girls had dinner with Kathryn, and then she shared with us her wisdom about living a faithful life throughout college and afterward. She gave us her ten tips for "Saying Yes to God!" The most precious gift that Kathryn gave us that weekend was the gift of her time and friendship that has lasted ever since. Kathryn has a big social media presence, and she still communicates with Kappa Theta Beta girls today via her blog and Twitter. This connection is something new and exciting, and it has made a difference in all of our lives.
I am so happy that this retreat, as well as the KTB Spring Retreat 2013, were such successes. It was inspiring to take my ideas and run with them! I took so much joy in putting my own personal touch on each part of the retreat planning process. It has been such a gift to give that to my sisters: to bring them closer to God by giving of my time and talents.