Women's Retreat | Women's Ministries

Women's & Young Women's Spring Retreat 2025

May 3, 2025

Join us for the Women's and Young Women's Spring Retreat at Upper Columbia Conference scheduled for May 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Crafted By Grace

God’s grace is the loving, ever-present force shaping and molding our lives. Like a seasoned watercolorist, the potter at her wheel, or a persistent knitter, God is intentionally and lovingly shaping us. Every challenge, regret, prayer, and act of faith can become a part of His grace-filled plan. We are invited to trust the craftsmanship of His grace in the blueprint for our lives.

 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10

1. Adopted

Story of Moses

Key Verse: Ephesians 1:5

2. The Empathy Antidote

Peter’s Denial and Restoration

Key Verse: John 21:17

3. Anchored

Jesus Calls the Fishermen

Key Verse: John 15:15

For questions and more information, contact Wendy Urbin at (509) 242-0628 or email wendyu@uccsda.org.

Register by April 13 to save $10.

Registration closes April 30.

Schedule of events

To be determined

Topics

To be Determined



Resources

Promotional Materials: 

11x17 Poster

5.5x8.5 bulletin insert

5.5x8.5 bulletin insert (2up for printing)

1920x1080 graphic for screens

Social media graphic

Featuring

 Jean Boonstra — Keynote Speaker

Jean Boonstra is an associate speaker for the Voice of Prophecy ministry. She is the creator, head writer, and executive producer of the Bible-based adventure audio series Discovery Mountain and its associated evangelistic programs, the Vacation Bible School Rescued: Safe in Jesus and the Flyover Faith Week of Prayer. A prolific writer, Jean has authored (among other things) two interactive adventure books for Discovery Mountain and the Sarah and Heather books in the Adventist Girl series, which shares history through the eyes of young girls in the Advent movement. Jean has a passion for telling people about Jesus. While at university, she attended a series of evangelistic meetings in Victoria, B.C. She fell in love with Jesus, and since that time, she and her husband Shawn have followed God wherever He leads. As a pastor's wife and mother of daughters, Jean is deeply committed to encouraging women. She believes that each woman is uniquely equipped to serve God and is called by Him for a purpose. Jean is a frequent speaker at women's retreats across North America. Jean and Shawn make their now empty-nest home in Colorado.

Sarah Droze & Ellen Tupper — Musical feature

Sarah Droze, a member of the vocal group For His Glory, is dedicated to using music as a ministry to inspire, uplift, and glorify God. A graduate of Pacific Union College with a degree in business administration, she became a CPA and spent 12 years in healthcare before transitioning to full-time parenting and homeschooling. She attends Linwood Seventh-day Adventist Church and is passionate about using her voice to encourage others and draw hearts closer to God. 



Ellen Tupper, originally from Walla Walla,  began playing in Adventist Sabbath School at the age of 9 (her mother was the primary division Sabbath School leader). After graduating from Laurelwood Academy in 1970 she determined that her skills of musical arrangement, accompaniment, and love for God were best used in music evangelism and dedicated herself to that endeavor. She has played for many churches but has also played for numerous evangelistic series. She was also given the opportunity to be chorale director for several multi-denominational churches and a piano teacher. 

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 was born in Kazakhstan and studied music in both Asia and Russia, earning a master’s degree in music and musical listening. After graduating from Zaoksky Theological Academy, she became an instructor, teaching piano, conducting, and solfeggio. A devoted mother of three, she has led children’s choirs in churches, competitions, and festivals, using music to inspire and uplift. Tatiana moved to the United States two and a half years ago. Above all, she loves Jesus and serves Him through her gifts. Whether teaching or embracing the harmony of nature, she finds His presence in every note.

Cindy Williams, RN — Special feature

Cindy Williams, RN, BSN, currently serves as the Upper Columbia Conference health ministries coordinator and as the school nurse for Upper Columbia Academy. She enjoys helping people learn how to live a joyful, healthy lifestyle and working with churches to reach out to their communities. She and her husband, Grant, have two adult children and four wonderful grandchildren. Cindy enjoys hiking, backpacking, reading, and sewing when she has free time.

Heidi Jones is a hospice chaplain for Logan Health Hospice in Kalispell, Montana, and a chaplain for Providence Health in Spokane. She received her master's in divinity from Andrews University and has spent her career helping others deal with grief and end of life care. She lives in Medical Lake, Washington, with her husband, Dustin, and two adolescent boys.