The annual FCC Women’s Retreat will again be at beautiful Brighton Lodge at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. The dates are Friday-Saturday, October 2 and 3.

Our leader will be Catherine Putnam Netto. She was for nine years the associate pastor at Wasatch Presbyterian Church. She is now an associate chaplain at Primary Children’s Hospital, and Diane knows her through the Parish Nurses organization. After a first career based on degrees in economics and public administration, Catherine launched her career in ministry with a M.Div. from Princeton. She’s a newly wed, married last May.

Catherine’s theme for the retreat arises from Wayne Muller’s book, How Then Shall We Live?, in which the author asks the title question and several others to aid the reader in 'tuning in' to what gives life meaning. To a greater or lesser degree, each of us as persons of faith and practicality has a response to this query - though we seldom find the opportunity to reflect on what it is. Join us in a weekend retreat including conversation, exercises, quiet, and craft inspired by Muller's work and incorporating the spiritual practices that help to integrate what we believe with how we live.

We will gather for the retreat between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. Friday and adjourn no later than 4:00 Saturday. The cost of the retreat is $85 for a private room with queen bed or $70 for a shared, dorm-style room with bunk beds. A deposit of $30 to Diane Forster-Burke (home: (801) 943-4364) is required by Sunday, September 20, with the balance to be paid no later than the retreat itself. Please let Diane know your choice of accommodations and whether you prefer vegetarian meals. Directions to the retreat center and a list of participants and items to bring will be sent to those who register.

This retreat is a very special tradition among the women of First Congregational, and we invite newcomers as well as those who have come many times. For further information or to volunteer to help with the letter to participants, craft supplies, the communion service, or music, please contact Susan Olson at (801) 532-3809 or kellolsn@msn.com.