Mary walked to the well in the early morning sunlight, thinking of the dinner that she and her sister had hosted the night before. Her hair still carried the scent of perfume! She smiled, remembering Jesus’ words of commendation as she gave him the most precious gift she had in her possession. She had poured it over his feet, but lacking a towel, had wiped the excess with the softness of her hair.

No regrets. Not she. She remembered sitting at his feet as he taught in their home. Jesus had defended her eagerness to learn, when her sister Martha grumbled about her lack of service in the kitchen. Now, at this most recent dinner party, given in honor of Jesus – the one who had raised their brother Lazarus from the dead – Martha had simply served, without complaint. How they both had grown!

Mary mused about her gift. Perhaps it had been given impulsively, yet with all the love of her heart, to someone who loved her unconditionally. Some of the fragrance of what she had given still lingered for her to enjoy.

A couple of millennia later, another event has just taken place; not just a dinner, but a weekend event. The guests at the SWEET Retreat included two women in their twenties who are “sitting at Jesus’ feet” – by learning through the teachers at Lutheran Brethren Seminary. They are passionate about God’s Word, and a future of serving him. They, together with a number of wives of other seminarians, spent two days and a night being nourished by the Word and encouraged by fellowship with each other.

Laughing with each other during get-acquainted times, worshiping our Lord under Michele Foss’s leadership, and praying together in small groups led by Kristen Erickson, the fragrance of friendship was created between first-year students and those who will graduate this year, between newlyweds and mothers. This wonderful weekend of bonding at the beginning of the school year has begun to be a tradition for seminary women who look forward to a time away each fall.

Ruth Vallevik, Director of Women’s Ministries of the CLB, shared these messages at the SWEET Retreat:

1. Who Needs an Anchor – And What is this Hope that Anchors our Souls?
2. Reality Check: Storms Ahead
3. Lessons of the Sea

Some of the lessons these women learned can teach us as well. “We have this hope as an anchor for our souls,” the early Christians read in Hebrews 6:19. One well-known catacomb had over sixty anchors etched into its walls! The symbol of an anchor is as relevant to us today as to those early Christians. This hope of salvation through Jesus Christ’s work is his promise of grace and forgiveness. “The anchor is not left dangling for us to grab on and hang on with all our might. He attaches this anchor to us by grace as we believe in him.” Ruth emphasized, “What security!” We need to recognize that we’re still at sea, with dangers, temptations, the old nature within, the world, flesh, devil, spiritual conflict, loss, persecution, remorse, doubt, and more. “But he holds us fast. He will stabilize us and give us his peace and endurance.”

Similar words of encouragement and training have been given to scores of women through the lips of various speakers since the “S.W.E.E.T.” Retreat was first stirred to life in 2003 by a small group of Women’s Ministries leaders. Their concern was for wives of seminarians. Many of the women worked long hours at jobs to help support the family, while maintaining a large share of the household tasks and raising of their children, so that their husbands could prepare for God’s calling on their lives. But who was equipping the wives? Where was their encouragement? What training were they receiving? SWEET was born as the “Seminary Wives Equipping, Encouraging, and Training” Retreat.

Other women gave financially, after hearing about the dream at the national women’s convention. Still others spread the dream to their home congregations, and ignited the flame of support for the first national Women’s Ministry Team special project. Over the years, wives of Seminary teachers, pastors’ wives, and recent graduates have all contributed time and experience to plan the event. Retired pastor’s wives have even made items to give to these future pastor’s wives.

This weekend, knowing that Ruth Vallevik had offered a flower arranging class to the women during their free time on Saturday, I couldn’t help but think about the fragrance of fresh flowers. In a sense, the fragrance of many flowers has combined to make the SWEET Retreats possible these past years: the dreamers who planned the first one, those who continue giving to make it happen, the memorial gifts, the proceeds from craft fairs, potluck fundraisers, and a host of other individuals who have given financially; the prayers of those who have interceded for seminarians and wives, for speakers, for musicians, for the families they leave; and most importantly, the seminary women themselves, whose fragrance may enhance our own lives one day. All of these fragrant gifts, offered to God, can’t help but bless us too, as we bless those around us.

As Mary neared the other women at the well, she lowered her water pitcher from her shoulder. It brushed against the fabric covering her hair, releasing another burst of scent into the misty air. A woman nearby inquired, “What is that wonderful smell at the well today? Who can tell me why it reminds me of perfume?”

Cheryl Olsen is the Information Coordinator for Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (www.wmclb.com)

By Cheryl Olsen

Cheryl Olsen (pictured with her husband Stan) serves as the secretary of Women's Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. (www.wmclb.com)

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