Join us for this year’s retreat, Sacred Companions: The People and Practices We Need For Living.
In a time filled with much disconnection, we invite you to gather with women celebrating a diversity of experiences from this community and beyond and to discover the joy of our design as humans to be connected. This year’s retreat embraces a new format and different way of being together, focused on putting into practice tools for daily living. Journey with us on this guided experience, answering the call to make deeper connections with God, ourselves, and others.
Saturday, February 26, 9:30 am – 12 pm, Virtual via Zoom
Each attendee will receive a retreat kit. Kits can be picked up at the Women’s Retreat table before and after the service (9:30-10am, and 11:00-11:30am) on Sunday the 13th and Sunday the 20th.
Pre-work to prepare for the retreat will also be assigned.
To register by February 20, click here.
For a shareable flyer, click here.
For questions or to get involved, please contact Women’s Retreat Coordinator, Kathy Goss, at [email protected].
Meet this year’s Retreat Guides
Reverend Mary Ellen Azada recently retired from Fuller Theological Seminary, where she served as Executive Director of Fuller Careers and Personal Development and, prior to that, Executive Director of Fuller’s Call Discernment Office. Before joining Fuller, Mary Ellen served 20 years as a pastor, including nine years as Associate Pastor of Missional Engagement at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. Prior to that, she was the Associate Pastor of Mission and Outreach at First Presbyterian Church of Burlingame, and was one of the organizing pastors at Wellspring Covenant Church, in Hawaii. Since retiring from Fuller, Mary Ellen has been working as a member of the leadership launch team of Interwoven, a new worshiping community of the San Gabriel Presbytery with plans to launch in spring 2022. Mary Ellen’s plans for 2022 also include completing her certifications for spiritual direction and coaching. Mary Ellen lives in Pasadena with her husband, Chris. Her son, Benjamin, lives in Berkeley.
Reverend Dr. Courtney Grager has always had a heart for others and is passionate about helping people find freedom in Christ. She earned her MDiv and DMin at Fuller Theological Seminary. Courtney has had many roles in ministry over the years and is affectionately called both ‘word girl’ and ‘RevDocMom’ by her daughters, Emma and Camille; being their mom is her favorite role in life. In addition to ministry within the church at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, and currently at Marin Covenant Church, Courtney runs Deep Well Ministries, which is designed to offer women a place to rest, renew, and invest in their spiritual development. Just think spa day + Jesus. Courtney also runs a coaching practice through Deep Well and especially loves coming alongside young adults. When she’s not working you can likely track her down drinking coffee at Peet’s, throwing a party at home, or spending time with her fiancé, Jim.