Women's Retreat | Women's Ministries

Women's & Young Women's Spring Retreat 2023

Sabbath, May 6, 2023

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

—Isaiah 40:31

Join us for the Women's and Young Women's Spring Retreat. This one-day retreat is scheduled for May 6, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Upper Columbia Conference headquarters in Spokane, WA.

Schedule

Musical Praise

Praise Team

Welcome

Patty Marsh

Scripture

Prayer

Sue Patzer

Introduction

Patty Marsh

Special Feature

Planting Flowers, Growing Connection, Spreading Joy!

Angela Ford

Musical Special - Cello/Piano

Olga Grigoryan & Tatiana Sirotinskaya

Special Feature

Love in the Little Things

Vania Kasper

Musical Special - Cello/Piano

Olga Grigoryan & Tatiana Sirotinskaya

Keynote Speaker How Much Can You Do With Dry Shampoo?

DeeAnn Bragaw

L U N C H

Musical Praise

Praise Team

Gifts - Especially for You!

Women's Ministries Team

Prayer

Special Feature

Joy Yvonne Losey

Musical Special - Piano Duo

Patty Marsh & Darla Shupe

Keynote Speaker

Oh.So.Thirsty.

DeeAnn Bragaw

Special Announcement

"Peace Be Still"

Heidi Jones

Special Feature

Renewed Strength

Denise Ellenwood

Musical Special - Cello/Piano

Olga Grigoryan & Tatiana Sirotinskaya

Keynote Speaker

Do the Next Hard and Holy Thing

DeeAnn Bragaw

Closing Prayer

DeeAnn Bragaw

Special features

“Planting Flowers, Growing Connection, Spreading Joy!”

Angela Ford

How growing flowers has become a ministry of love. 

“Renewed Strength” 

Denise Ellenwood

Have you felt lost, disconnected, or yearning for a deeper love and meaningful life? God has given me a story and special people apart of my story that have pointed me to His amazing and unfailing love. I will be sharing my testimony and how God has continued to renew my strength to rise up and bring hope to others that are hurt, discouraged, and broken. My prayer is that you will be inspired and use your life story to bring Him glory no matter what journey you are on. 

“Love in the little things: God’s style”

Vania Kasper

"Joy"

Yvonne Losey

Session 1: How Much Can You Do With Dry Shampoo?

Deeann Bragaw

Session 2: Oh.So.Thirsty.

Deeann Bragaw

Session 3: Do the Next Hard and Holy Thing

Deeann Bragaw

Featuring

DeeAnn Bragaw — Keynote Speaker

DeeAnn Bragaw currently serves North American Division as director of women’s ministries. Prior to her current role at the NAD, she served the Rocky Mountain Conference as director of women’s ministries and prayer ministries. She has a background in education and leadership development, holds a master’s degree in pastoral ministry, and is passionate about digging deep into God’s word. DeeAnn loves to laugh, hike, bike, snowshoe, paddleboard, and spend time with her family.

Angela Ford — Special feature

Angela Ford is the small business owner of Blooms and Berries, a flower farm in Leavenworth, Washington. She is passionate about growing flowers as a way to connect and minister to the people in her community. She is wife to Steve for 32 years, mom to 5, and grandma of 3 pre­cious girls, Heaven, Eden, and Kaynen.

Vania Kasper — Special feature

In 2009 Vânia Kasper had an encounter with nature that completely transformed her life and which uncovered her love for writing and photography. She enjoys sharing the insights God gives her from visits to her backyard, simple walks around the neighborhood, or trips through beautiful landscapes and exotic places.

Vânia is also a registered nurse currently working as a diabetes educator and also in private practice as a health and wellness coach. She fully embraces the promise that Jesus came to give us an abundant life and enjoys exploring what that looks like in her personal life and also with others. Vânia and her husband, pastor Bill, have one son and a dog. Other interests include playing the cello, card making, birdwatching, road trips with her family, and knitting Portuguese style.

Denise Ellenwood — Special feature

Denise Ellenwood is a member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and grew up on the Colville Indian Reservation. She has been an early learning director and children’s ministry leader. She is currently working in a special education preschool classroom. She is a foster parent and mother to five beautiful children. Ever since she gave her heart to Christ, it has been her mission to show and share the love of Christ with others. Her story is filled with beauty and tragedy, but she credits our Lord Jesus Christ for seeing her through it with everlasting love and grace. She enjoys exploring God’s creation, playing basketball with her family, beading, crafting, and painting in her free time.

Yvonne Losey — Special feature

Yvonne Losey was raised on the farm in the Midwest where she had two older brothers. She married Chaplain Garry Losey who decided to join the Army and their furniture was then put on wheels while they served our country. They have two children, Sherlyn and Ben which have provided them with four grandchildren, Gabbie, Gavin, Dani Jay & Cole. Yvonne enjoyed an amazing career in the world of OB Nursing which she devoted 45 years of her life. The last half of her career was in the area of management — with the attitude “we are going to make this department the best and give our best!” Currently, Yvonne and her husband are volunteers for the Spokane County Sheriff Chaplains Office. Yvonne loves to travel to Europe with her brother, bike on the trails and make quilts, give hugs to her four “GRAND” children, and most of ALL — enJOY LIFE!!

Olga Grigoryan & Tatiana Sirotinskaya — Musical feature

Olga Grigoryan was born and educated in Russia. Music means a lot to her life as she believes that it is one of the ways God communicates with people. She enjoys performing classical and sacred music and also loves to share her knowledge and experience with my students. Olga and her husband have four sons, a daughter-in-law and a grandson. The family spends time together hiking, discovering new places, cooking, baking, reading, playing the cello and singing together. Olga's hobby is growing all kinds of flowers and plants.

Tatiana Sirotinskaya is a mother of three children. Half a year ago her family fled the war in Ukraine and came to the United States. Back in Russia, Tatiana worked at the Zaoksky Theological Academy as an instructor, teaching piano, conducting, and solfeggio. She also taught in a music school and conducted a children's choir. The choir participated in the church services on a regular basis and performed on annual competitions and choir festivals. Tatiana really enjoy spending time outdoors listening to the beautiful sounds of nature intertwined with the majestic silence.

Darla Shupe & Patty Marsh — Musical feature

Having started piano at the age of 5, Darla Shupe has been studying music ever since. Along with her BS degree in Business Education, she also received a minor in music from Walla Walla College. She is currently the principal, grade 5-8 teacher and music teacher at Spokane Valley Adventist School. Her greatest passion is praising Jesus through music.

Patty Marsh serves as director of Adventist Community Services, Children’s Ministries, and Women’s Ministries for Upper Columbia Conference. Special interests including her family, reaching our cities as an ambassador for God’s love, all aspects of nature – God’s second book, beautiful music, and people!