Women Inspired to be “Up From the Ordinary” at Retreat

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

The virtual retreat was sponsored by the women’s ministries departments of Upper Columbia Conference and Alaska Conference.

The event featured music and other features from Walla Walla University and Walla Walla University Church and Village Church.

“This spring’s one-day virtual retreat was unique in that the women’s ministries team partnered with ladies from the Walla Walla Valley with Ater Munson leading out, and with Alaska Conference’s women’s ministries director, Jean Gobah, in putting together the program,” says Patty Marsh, director of women’s ministries at Upper Columbia Conference. “And we were blessed!”

The featured speaker for the retreat was Jean Boonstra, associate speaker for the Voice of Prophecy ministry, and executive producer for Discovery Mountain. Boonstra presented several vignettes of characters from the Bible that brought themselves up from the ordinary, including Eliezer, Esther, and Tabitha.

Cindy Walikonis and Gail Lane discussed how their church works to provide meals for the homeless and how that has been impacted by COVID-19. Another feature focused on Eden’s Pantry, a ministry of Walla Walla University Church. Khai-Ling Tan and Susan Willard explored how members of the community have been able to get much needed food from the pantry. Often they serve university students that are not able to afford nutritious meals.

Several musical performers were also highlighted during the retreat, including Alana Glendrange, a lawyer from Walla Walla, and Shalah McCarthy, a student from Alaska Conference.

Emily Poole, a wedding photographer from the Spokane area, presented a feature on how to develop a creative eye for photography and how to use those approaches in your spiritual life.

The retreat has historically been held at Upper Columbia Conference headquarters, however the past two retreats have been held virtually.

“While we look forward to the time when we fellowship in person again for our women’s and young’s women’s retreat, a surprising benefit from our virtual retreats is that participants join from as far-away as places like New York, Illinois, Arizona, California, and even ladies from Great Britain,” says Marsh. “Some guests list various denominations or even “no church” when they register. This year’s keynote speaker, Jean Boonstra, gave hope and encouragement to listeners ranging from no faith to rich in faith focusing our how God uses ordinary people.”

To watch the broadcast of the retreat, go to www.uccsda.org/womensretreat.