Listen to this article
Scheduled for May 19-22, the second annual Western Retired Officers Retreat will again take place at Camp Mt. Crags in the Malibu Mountains of Southern California. Based on the success of last year’s inaugural gathering, the still relatively new association expects over 100 delegates at the 2005 gathering.
This year’s theme—Keeping Spiritually Fit—comes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy, in which he exhorts believers to keep spiritually fit. On hand to encourage delegates to follow Paul’s exhortation will be Western leaders Commissioners Philip and Patricia Swyers, supported by Commissioners Bill and Gwen Luttrell, Commissioners Robert and Carol Saunders and Commissioners Joe and Doris Noland. Colonel Esther Sather will conduct Bible study sessions, and Major Cynthia Foley, of the San Diego Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, will provide a comprehensive PowerPoint program covering the extensive ministry now offered at the center. Colonel George Church and Major Fred Seiler will handle retreat music, which will include SAW-ROA Brass and Songsters. Also featured during the four-day conclave will be the piano ministry of Major Katherine Wood.
Commissioner Kenneth Hood, SAW-ROA’s vice-president, is the retreat program coordinator.
Major Oliver Stenvick, SAW-ROA president, anticipates that many western retired officers will attend. Now only in its second year, SAW-ROA boasts a membership of over 160.
Complete program and registration information will be mailed to all retired officers in late February. An early registration discount is offered to those responding by March 31. Major Melba Gibson, SAW-ROA secretary, will coordinate all retreat registrations.