2011 Church Wide Retreat
at Camp Sumatanga
October 7 through 9
Speaker: Rev. Al Garrett
Theme: Are We There Yet? Transformation, Ministry, and the Road Ahead
Download Brochure and Registration Form Here
When?
Starts Fri., October 7; Ends Sun., October 9
Dinner served at 5:30 until 7:00 pm
First session starts at 7:30 pm
Last session ends by noon
Where?
This year, at Camp Sumatanga, we’ll have several different lodging options. You may choose Retreat Center (newer) and Eva Walker rooms (closer to dining room), both of which include private bathrooms. Guest House rooms are available, which is also close to the dining room, and includes semi-private bathrooms. Also available are Lodge rooms (bunk beds, community bathroom) and tent camping, for more affordable prices. Our meals and sessions will be located in the Lodge as well.
Deadline?
The deadline is Sunday, September 18. Half of the total cost of the retreat is due at this time. Please turn into the main church office or Pastor Todd’s office.
What Do I Need to Bring?
(in addition to the obvious)
- Linens & towel (Lodge only—linens are provided for Retreat Center, Guest House, and Eva Walker)
- Snack to share (a church retreat tradition!)
- Games for Friday night
- Bible
- Swimwear/towel (canoeing available)
- Sunscreen, bugspray, hiking shoes (Saturday afternoon hike)
- Money for Sunday morning worship offering
- Pen/paper for notes
Retreat Prices:
Retreat prices are determined by what room you stay in and how many adults (defined as 11 years and older) are in each room and include all meals. If you will not be present for the Friday dinner, subtract $12/adult
Single Occupancy: $192/adult
Double Occupancy: $130/adult
Triple Occupancy: $118/adult
Quadruple Occupancy: $112/adult
Single Occupancy: $178/adult
Double Occupancy: $126/adult
Triple Occupancy: $112/adult
Quadruple Occupancy: $104/adult
Single Occupancy: $152/adult
Double Occupancy: $112/adult
Single Occupancy: $150/adult
Double Occupancy: $105/adult
Triple Occupancy: $102/adult
Quadruple Occupancy: $94/adult
$66/adult
Children
Children ages 5 to 10 are $50 each regardless of room. Children under 5 are free.
About our Speaker:
Alvin Garrett, the sixth of seven children was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 31, 1955. His mother, Sister Katie Mae Garrett, moved the family to Huntsville, Alabama when he was 7 years old. The family worked alongside his uncle and aunt, Leroy and Viola Garrett in the years that followed at WEUP Radio. He spent many hours observing and imitating announcers like Leroy Garrett aka “The Blue Goose”, Andrew Dawkins aka “Sugar Daddy”, Paul White aka “Tall Paul”, as well as his mom “The Gospel Queen”. By the age of 12, Alvin had his own Saturday morning radio show. At the tender age of 15, he met all requirements and received his Third Class Radio Operator’s License from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Brother Garrett gave his life to Christ at Union Bethel Methodist Church in Birmingham, Alabama where he began singing in the children’s choir. After moving to Huntsville, Alabama, Sister Katie Garrett united the family with Lowes Chapel United Methodist Church. There Brother Garrett continued singing with the children and youth choirs. He attended Indian Creek Elementary School, Council Training School, followed by Westlawn and Ed White Middle Schools, and graduated from S.R. Butler High School in 1973. While at Westlawn, Ed White and Butler, he developed his skills as a singer and saxophonist. Alvin Garrett was drum major his senior year at Butler High School. He joined the U.S. Army shortly after high school graduation and was sent to Germany in 1974. Honorably discharged from military service in 1976, and having fallen in love with EUROPE he remained there until June of 1980 pursuing a music career and studying at the University of Maryland’s European Campus.
A second career at Redstone Arsenal’s Acquisition
Center began for Alvin Garrett in April 1984 where he worked as a Contract Specialist until September 1996 and a third career was begun in 1991 out of his love of tennis. Tennis led to the incorporation of Youth Development Association, Inc. in 1992 and in 1993, he became Director of Tennis for the City of Madison.
Upon his return to Huntsville, Alabama in June 1980 Alvin Garrett rejoined the family at WEUP Radio. He began re-establishing life in Huntsville including falling in love with childhood friend Ruth Jefferson. They were wed on Friday, August 6, 1982. He also reunited with Lowes Chapel United Methodist Chapel Church and became their choir director. By October 1999, Brother Garrett and family had moved their church membership to Chelsea Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA). It was there that he accepted his call to preach the word of God; preaching his initial sermon in January 2000. He and wife Ruth united with The Church Street CPCA family in 2003 under Rev. Dr. Mitchell M. Walker, Sr., Pastor-Teacher. Reverend Alvin Garrett was licensed in July 2004 and ordained in July 2005 by The Huntsville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.
Currently, Reverend Garrett is the co-founder and Executive Director of Youth Development Association, Inc. a non-profit organization targeting underserved populations and communities providing tutoring, mentoring through tennis and leadership development through community service. He is also a member of the Specialized Ministry Team (SMT) of the Interfaith Mission Service overseeing the ministry of Faith and Spirituality, working with its Racial Harmony Coalition and serves as a member of the board of directors. He is a board member for Jacob’s Ladder, Inc. that serves the residents of Triana, Alabama and chair of the Board of Mission and Evangelism for the Huntsville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.
Reverend Garrett is the proud father of five (5), Diane, Marcus, Brian, Angela and Calvin and has been richly blessed with 10 truly grand grandchildren.
Directions and More:
From Huntsville, take Hwy. 231 South through Arab and Blountsville. After Blountsville, watch for a left turn to stay on Hwy. 231. Once you reach Oneonta, there will be a quick left, then right that you will need to take (at a light) to stay on Hwy. 231. Watch for that as well. After the zig-zag in Oneonta, follow the signs “To Horse Pen 40″ which will direct you to take a left. This is Highway 35. Travel 3.4 miles. Turn right on County Road 44 (Sumatanga Road). Travel 1.7 miles. Turn left into the Sumatanga Retreat Center. Come inside the Lodge (on right) to check in and pick up room keys.
The address you can use for GPS devices is:
3616 Sumatanga Road
Gallant, AL 35972
The Lodge is located on the right side of the road as you’re coming in, past the retreat center. The Retreat Center is located on the left across from the Lodge. Eva Walker and the Guest House are located on the right side of the road just beyond the Lodge. The Guest House is connected to the Lodge and Eva Walker is a separate building.
A letter will be sent out a few days prior to our departure with more information and reminders.
The phone number at Camp Sumatanga is (256) 538-9860. There is usually not cell phone coverage at Camp Sumatanga. A community computer with internet and a pay phone are located across the street from the Lodge in the Retreat Center lobby.
Learn more about Camp Sumatanga at www.sumatanga.org.
2009
2010
