Retreat Breakout Sessions

You will have the opportunity to choose two workshops, one from session 1 and one from session 2.

Session 1

Talk-back with Lori Roeleveld

Interact with our weekend speaker, Lori Roeleveld. Ask questions about what she’s been sharing during the sessions or ask about other topics pertinent to Christian life and ministry.

Caring Connections

Our relational God has made us to be relational people, longing for meaningful connection with others. In addition to finding ways to connect women in the church with each other, your women’s ministry can be designed to reach out and connect with women who don’t yet know Christ. Learn how to develop caring ministries that women will change their schedules for, and in the process learn about a God who loves them.

This workshop corresponds to By Design’s Women’s Leadership Training Class #212.

Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a blogger, speaker, coach, and disturber of hobbits who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner. She has authored four award-winning books, with a fifth in the works. She speaks regularly at women’s events and retreats across the country. Though she has degrees in psychology and biblical studies, Lori’s learned the most from studying her Bible in life’s trenches. She speaks her mind at loriroeleveld.com.

Sharon Carlson has been passionate about mentoring in her work with students and adults for almost 30 years. She loves to demystify the concept of mentoring and make it real and practical. Sharon currently is the owner of Carlson Education Consulting, a college advising and educational coaching business, and has worked in education and student development for over 25 years. She is the Women’s Ministry Director at First Congregational church of Hamilton, MA. Sharon and her husband, Chris, live in Hamilton and have two adult children, Christopher and Emma.

Emotional Intelligence Impact on Ministry

We may think we are ready for ministry … have everything we think we need … training, volunteers, ministry plan, a budget … and yet it all falls flat. We can even be prayed up and believe God has called us and still feel like we aren’t making progress. Many times we are in need of an understanding of how we are perceived and a quick education of how emotional intelligence impacts ministry. Join us as we discuss the perfection of Jesus’s emotional intelligence and discover how we can learn from Him.

Pauline Morgan loves her big, wide life even though it is not what she always pictured. The adventure she has embarked upon since meeting Jesus at 16 has never failed in the years she has been walking with Him. She loves His Word and every opportunity she has to proclaim, preach, and teach it. The ministry of lovingly encouraging believing women to grow in faith and step out in ministry is closely held in her heart. Pauline enjoys travel, ministry, many different kinds of music, luxury camping, espionage books, and movies. Single with no children, she has a well-developed skill in spoiling her grown nieces and her friends’ children. She’s hoping for more time to devote to a new hobby of watercolor painting … that is, if life slows down!

Session 2

Discerning What is Best

Paul prayed that the Philippians would be able to “discern what is best.” In our day, we are inundated with choices, many good, some not so good. How can we possibly know what is best? We ask questions about important vs. urgent, boundaries and priorities, what to do and what to delegate. We want to know where we fit in God’s plan, discerning our gifts, calling and place. Join us for a lively discussion on discernment, learning to lean on God’s plan to avoid overwhelm and burnout.

Ministry Brainstorming Session

Join three generations of women leaders as they talk about their journey of faith and ministry involvement. They’ll share lessons they’ve learned in trusting God, avoiding pitfalls, and dealing with challenges in life and ministry as well as seeing God’s faithful blessing! You’ll gain practical advice and encouragement, plus there will be ample time for you to ask questions and dialogue with each member.

Janet Fisher Aronson is an author, speaker and life coach. Her book, Marking Time with Mark, is a devotional through the book of Mark that came out on her 70th birthday. She writes a daily devotional on her Facebook page called “Stepping Up: Growing Up in Christ Together.” Janet is passionate about discipling others and encouraging them in their walk with Christ through writing, speaking, mentoring, and coaching. She graduated from Boston University in music education and has her M. Div from Bethel Seminary.

Kimberley Minch is the Programs Coordinator for 100 Fold Studio, an architecture ministry based in Lakeside, MT. She is passionate about worship and discipleship, especially for college students. In between traveling for work and visiting family, you can find her searching for the perfect color swatch and feeding homemade cookies to whoever will eat them.

Kimberley is a member of By Design’s WeConnect Leadership Team. Read more about WeConnect!

Krisie Brown has been involved in both the women’s and children’s ministries at First Congregational Church of Hamilton for close to 30 years. She and her husband live in Ipswich, MA with their three children (Morgan, Calvin, and Sydney). Currently, she is on the board of By Design Ministries and the teaching team for the Women’s Bible Study at her church. Krisie loves to be involved at church and in her children’s schools, building community.

Linda Moore’s varied professional experiences as an ICU nurse, recording and concert artist, women’s ministries director, consultant, speaker, and worship leader have afforded her many opportunities to express her passion for God and His people. Linda is married to a semi-retired pastor and is the mother of three grown daughters and “Nana” to seven grandchildren. She is the former Vision New England director of women’s ministries, and is the founder and executive director of By Design Ministries.

21st Century Evangelism

Despite the negative publicity Evangelicalism has gotten in recent history, the message of Christ remains as relevant as ever. In this session we will consider how the “frozen chosen,” as believers in New England are described, can reach those around us with the transforming grace of Christ.

This workshop corresponds to By Design’s Women’s Leadership Training Class #111.

Jean Marrapodi, PhD, CPTD, serves full time in Christian ministry; whether designing elearning, presenting industry conference workshops, volunteering, or teaching Bible, all work toward the glory of God. She designs elearning for UMB Bank and teaches graduate courses at three colleges. Known for her high-energy, authentic teaching style, Jean connects with audiences for transformative learning. In the past 30 years, she has led every area of church ministry (well, except men’s groups), but her passion is for teaching the Bible. She lives in Mansfield, MA, with two eccentric cats.

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