Women of Worth retreat to be held in Henry County
The following is a news release from Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Services:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee women who walk in faith and live lives of recovery from addiction will gather in February for a first-of-its-kind retreat. The Women of Worth Retreat will take place February 16-18 at the Lodge at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, TN.
The retreat represents collaboration between the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) Faith-Based Initiative, addiction treatment and recovery resource organizations, and the faith community. The purpose of the event is to bring together women in recovery for a weekend of encouraging peer speakers, information about recovery resources, and spiritual wellness.
TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams will be the main speaker for the first night of the event, sharing a message that emphasizes the power of healthy connections and the growth that comes from struggles. Commissioner Williams was instrumental in the creation of the department’s faith-based initiative, and she is also passionate about empowering and equipping the faith community to serve as an effective recovery resource, especially in Tennessee’s rural communities.
“We are all Women of Worth, and it’s so important to celebrate and give thanks for that. No matter where your journey has taken you, your life is precious, purposeful, and powerful. I am excited and grateful to join this gathering of amazing women of faith in fellowship and learning,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW.
The retreat’s agenda includes a diverse group of speakers who have experienced and overcome trauma and tragedy to lead lives of purpose and impact. The speaker lineup includes women working in music, law enforcement, substance abuse treatment, and women’s ministry.
“The Women of Worth retreat is all about creating community for women of faith who are living lives of recovery. I’m excited to come together with dozens of amazing women and celebrate our strengths while leaning on each other at the same time,” said Amy Bechtol, Faith-Based Community Coordinator for Rural West Tennessee.
“Sometimes loving ourselves after our past mistakes is hard. Our goal is to show each and every woman present that we are all worthy, and we do have value.” said Nikki Green, Hybrid Lifeline Peer Project Coordinator for Benton, Houston, and Stewart Counties. “Our past does not define us. The opposite of addiction is connection, and what better way to show that connection than by coming together and spending a weekend truly seeing how worthy we are.”
Women interested in attending the retreat can find tickets on Eventbrite at this link or by contacting the Faith-Based Community Coordinator for Rural West Tennessee, Amy Bechtol: amy@jmprevent.org or 731-256-6886.
