Darci Hakvaag and the Importance of Women's Ministry
Tuscarora
With the Fall Women’s Retreat approaching we wanted to give you a behind the scenes meeting with one woman who is a part of making the event happen. Meet Darci Hakvaag!
Darci came to Tuscarora for the first time in the summer of 1989. The trip was a memorable one because she took her first plane ride from Minnesota to spend her summer serving with Summer Staff and visiting her sister Denise who was working as a registrar. It wasn’t long until Darci fell in love with the ministry, the grounds, the friends she met here, and her eventual husband! She loved her experience on Summer Staff – and enjoyed the location being so close to New York City, and the New Jersey beaches. “It was eye opening, for a Minnesota girl,” she remembers.
She returned home to Minnesota for her Sophomore year of College, but eventually decided to return back to Mount Bethel and worked at Tuscarora while she finished her last two years of school. During that time she filled a variety of roles from lifeguard to housekeeper. This variety of experience has allowed Darci to have a unique perspective in her current role as Business Assistant. She is able to use her professional knowledge and experience for the betterment of the ministry she loves – and the benefit of those whose shoes she has walked in.
Darci also serves her communities in other ways. Darci and her family attend Mount Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, and she serves as the President of the Eastern Region Women’s Ministry of the CLB. This group works to ensure women in all of the Lutheran Brethren Churches have the opportunity to come together as sisters in Christ.
One of her responsibilities in this role is to plan the Annual Women’s Retreat which takes place each fall. This retreat welcomes women from all churches who need a time of relaxation, refreshment, and encouragement – but it’s also a wonderful family reunion for generations of women who attend the Eastern Region churches.
This year, Darci is excited to welcome Casey Baardson as the retreat speaker. Casey has been involved in women’s ministries for over 35 years, and has spent many years traveling with her husband in Japan and Norway. Her mission is to see relationships formed and strengthened as people gather in Bible Study and fellowship. Darci knows Casey is going to present Word based messages which will nourish and encourage the women who are coming. The environment that Tuscarora provides is perfect for finding the time to dig a little deeper into the Word of God, and hear the voice of the Lord.
Darci knows that the fellowship of the weekend is also important. Each year she has looked forward to gathering with her sisters to worship, and spend time eating around the table enjoying the company of friends. Saturday afternoon is also set aside for some free time activities where people can break off into small groups and explore the area – or find your way to the Olde Engine Works Market Place Antique Mall in Stroudsburg!
Alongside the rest of the Eastern Region team – Darci is excited to see who God brings to the grounds on November 3. They are excited to deepen old relationships, as well as create new ones. As an attender and an organizer, Darci loves being able to watch others benefit from this time of retreat. She hopes to see you there!
Please consider joining us November 3 - November 5 at the Fall Women's Retreat at Tuscarora. Register by visiting tuscarora.org/our-events/women. We look forward to seeing you then!