Head for the Hills Omega Lambda Chi girls retreat for unity Unity wastheunderlying theme for Omega LambdaChimembers during their first fall retreat away from Searcy, Sept. 27-28. In years past, the women's so– cial clubheld fall retreats in the homes of sponsorsorother convenient locations. The four-year-old club hoped to do things a little differentlv this year, and traveled to Crowley's Ridge, near Paragould, Ark. "We decided to make it a real retreat with a camping experience," senior Leah Eddy, president of OmegaLambda Chi, said."We wanted to just fellowship, which we don't always have the chance to do [on campus]." Blessed with good weather and surrounded by nature, the club stayed in three cabins with a lake nearby. "We wanted to go there to re– a lly get away from the distractions around campus," · junior Amber Larson, devotional director, said. "It was nice to be able to hang out with just the girls." Friday night included a hand– ful of unity building activities for the club. The ladies made new door signs for themselves and theup– coming induction class. The retreat also included singing around a ca mpfire and smores. Charity Thompson, Omega LambdaChi . sponsor, spoke to the club. Her message for the weekendcame from Philippians 2:1-4. "We wanted to just fel– lowship , wh ich we don't always have the chance to do [on cam– pus]." - Senior Leah Eddy "lt was great to hear from her," Eddy said. "She was just really excitedabout being around us and that was nice." After awater balloon fight, mem– bers retired to the cabins for group devotionalsand prayer requests. "Part of [the purpose of the re– treat] was becoming more unified before we [inducted]the new pledge class," sophomore Christie Martinez said. Saturday, the club had a chance to split into groups for more devotional time. The club believed everyone came away with a stronger sense of unity and a better understand– ing of the clubmotto, "sisters for eternity." "For me, itwas getting to know the girls I didn't know before and it was getting even closer to theones I did know,'' Martinez said. With unity as the theme, many of the girls returned feeling closer and Members of Omega LambdaChi praytogetherduring aretreattoCrowley'sRidge. The group'sescape fromcampus.Sept.27-28,allowedmemberstospendtime together away from the distractions of campus life. (Photo courtesy of Jenny Aven) At Omega Lambda Chi'sfall retreat, sophomore Leigh Anne Seymore reflects on a message from one of the weekend's speakers.The retreatwasan effort to growcloser to bothGod and eachother. (Photo courtesy ofJennyAven) appreciated the focus on serving others. "Because we are a newer club, we are still developing a personality but we have always wanted to be seen as a group of girls serving oth– ers," Eddy said. The women of OmegaLambda Chi kept more than just t-shirts for memories. They kept what they learned about eachother. "It made me really appreciate the club more and the tight-knit bond we have," Eddy said. "I could just tell we needed tha t time." Many other social clubs provided activities to encourage c spiritual growth for members. Delta Gamma Rho, Kappa GammaEpsilon, and King's Men also organized spiritual retreats. A number ofclubsformedprayer groups. These smaller gatherings providedan opportunity to connect with othermembers on a personal level. Delta Chi Delta members were responsible for praying for another member for the entireyear. The club opted for this new for– mat because they wanted to doaway withanygroupings thatmightcause cliques to form within the club. Pi Kappa Epsilonmeton Wednesday nights to have their own time of devotion. Socialclubsprovided anotheropportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth on campus. -Ryan Saul
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