2026 Women's Retreat
God is a communicating God, and he created us to be communicators also! How shall we ensure that our words are faithful, profitable, and life-giving? Come hear Mrs. Jodi Ware, as she shares truth from God's Word about talking to God, to each other, and to ourselves.
Speaker
Jodi Ware
Deacon of Women's Ministry
Clifton Baptist Church, Louisville, KY
Jodi Ware was born and raised in Portland, OR, by committed, godly Christian parents. She is the youngest of five girls, and graduated from college at Warner Pacific University. She and Bruce married in 1978 while he was in his Th.M. program at Western Seminary, Portland, OR. Jodi has served every church she’s been a part of as a pianist and vocalist. While her main energies have been directed at serving her family — she and Bruce have two daughters, Bethany and Rachel, whom she homeschooled for most of their early years — she also has had a regular ministry over the years of mentoring younger women. For the past 25 years, Jodi has worked with the Seminary Wives Institute at Southern Seminary as its registrar and through teaching courses on Biblical femininity, time management, and the Christian’s life of prayer. Jodi also serves as the Deacon of Women’s Ministry at Clifton Baptist Church, Louisville, KY, organizing and leading Bible studies and a variety of events for the women of the church. She also speaks regularly for women’s conferences on various topics of interest and importance to Christian women. Finally, Jodi loves being “Nana” to our three precious grandchildren – Ella Rose (17), Gavin Edwards (14), and Ainsley Kate (11), the children of Owen and Bethany Strachan.
Cost
$65 (Friday & Saturday)
$50 (Friday-only or Saturday-only)
New This Year:
Introducing Fellowship Circles
Which one will you choose? (Taking place Friday from 2:30-4:00 PM)
All About Gardening
Do you grow Veggies? Flowers? House Plants? Are you a serious gardener or a hobby gardener? Come talk gardening with your sisters and learn their best tips and tricks.
Needlework/Handwork
Knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and all the rest! Bring your current project and visit while creating! Share your wins or get help if you are stuck!
All the Books!
Come talk books and reading. Share your favorites (books, authors, sources) with other book lovers!
Cooking/Recipes/Meal Planning
Do you love to cook or is it a struggle? Come share your favorites: recipes, cookbooks, meal planning tips and tools. Be inspired!
Board Games
Bring a favorite board game to play with others who love games.
Crafting
Learn to make paper flowers pretty enough to display all year.
Puzzles
Put together a jigsaw puzzle while visiting with other puzzle lovers. Can you finish it before the fellowship time ends?
Card games
Bring a favorite card game to play with friends who also love card games.
Schedule
March 13-14, 2026
FRIDAY
2:00 PM - Arrival & Check-in
2:30 PM - Fellowship Circles
4:00 PM - Open Fellowship
5:00 PM - Dinner
6:30 PM - SESSION 1 – Talking to God: Fostering Humble Dependence
8:00 PM - Discussion Groups
8:30 PM - Mixer Game
9:00 PM - Dismissal
SATURDAY
8:00 AM - Coffee available
8:30 AM - Breakfast
9:45 AM - SESSION 2 – Talking to Others: Cultivating Gracious Communication
11:30 AM - Discussion Groups
12:00 PM - Lunch
1:15 PM - SESSION 3 – Talking to Ourselves: Monitoring Our Minds
3:00 PM - Q&A with Jodi and B.J.
3:30 PM - Time of Sharing & Prayer
4:00 PM - Dismissal
Registration
Location
For more information, please contact Kelly Vandorn at kellysuesflowers@gmail.com, or at 907-354-5794.