Lead Where You Are- Wellspring Leadership Event- 2015

Wellspring Women’s Leadership Gathering 2015

Lead Where You Are

Ordinary Moments. Extraordinary Grace.  

                                              It’s not a retreat, but you’ll relax.

                                                             It’s not a conference, but you’ll learn.

                                                                       It’s not ordinary. 

                                                                                 Quite simply … it’s a game changer.

Saturday, October 3

9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Come for a day filled with inspiration and choices!  You'll have time for activity, creativity, contemplation and learning ... words of wisdom, sharing ideas ... healthy food, great music, and fair trade shopping, too!  You'll leave with an infusion of energy, encouragement, and fresh ideas to take bold steps wherever God is calling you!

Guest Speaker, Jane Wilke - Author, Executive, Educator, Woman of God

Early Bird Registration ends Sept. 1, 2015

click below to go to the registration site:

registration-womens-gathering-2015-lead-where-you-are

Susan Maack- Northern Region

What brings you JOY right NOW?

 Several things bring me joy. I take joy in my family. The end of the work day means I get to see my wonderful husband and spend the rest of the day with him. We travel, do home improvement projects (like sealing the driveway - messy but fun), have dinner out once in a while, and talk. My two daughters are far away (Korea and Alaska), so any contact with them is a joyful occasion. My new grandson has grabbed my heart with his tiny little hand and held on tightly (he's so adorable)! We celebrated my parents' 60th anniversary during the summer. 

I also take joy in sharing Christ's love for me with my smile. I smile at and chat with the clerk in Walmart, the gate guard at Fort Meade when I go to shop at the commissary, and the receptionist at the doctor's office. I smile when I go to partake of the Lord's Supper and when I go back to my seat because I am happy to be receiving the Sacrament God gave me! The best way to spread joy is with a smile!

What do you SEE the Holy Spirit doing in your life right NOW?

 The Holy Spirit works in many ways. He has put people in my life that encourage through the way they live their lives. He puts me in circumstances that strengthen my faith. This can be when others are an example of how the Holy Spirit works in their lives. It can also be when I can witness, whether it be easy with other Christians or difficult with non-Christians. 

And I know the Holy Spirit works through music!!! I see this all the time as a teacher when the children sing songs about Jesus. I try to choose songs that will stick with the children throughout their lives and help them in bad and good times as they get older. 

What word of encouragement to you have for fellow faith travelers TODAY?

 My fellow travelers need to look for God's presence in the everyday occurrences in their lives. He will present you with something when you least expect it that shows He is with you and has heard every single prayer you have ever prayed! God is the Creator of Creativity and He answers prayer in ways that are so creative! Keep on praying!

Susan is currently employed at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Glen Burnie, MD, her home church. She teaches a class of 4-year-olds in the morning and music in the afternoon.  Music duties include general music classes for grade 3 and younger, two choirs, and a Middle School elective. She sings in St. Paul's Spirit Choir (traditional), subs for the organist when needed and helps with the Bazaar and Christmas/Easter cantatas. Susan is married to Rev. Dr. David Maack who serves as the Southeastern District First Vice President and works as the Executive Director of the Lutheran Mission Society in Baltimore. We give thanks for Susan as she  blesses us with smile and song! 

Terri Jordan- Central Region

1.  What brings you JOY right now in your life?

 So many things!  If I can catch a cup of coffee

 for 10 minutes in the morning with husband, Dax,

 before we start our day and before the girls get up,

 it is a wonderful joy.  I am finding such joy watching 

my girls thrive and learn and grow.  I have also been

 able to do cross fit in the evenings a couple nights

 a week with some of the folks from church lately, 

and that is doing wonders for this mom -
 physically, emotionally and spiritually! 

 I am so thankful for this time to exercise.  

2. Where do you see the Holy spirit working right now in your life?

I have seen the Holy Spirit working through

 Vine and Branches Lutheran Church (plant)- 

Near Dulles South, VA.  There is such a

 tremendously sweet spirit in the people 

that is contagious and wonderful to be a part

 of this group.  We are very intentional about 

asking the Holy Spirit to be present with us 

and to be a welcoming loving community.  

When we ask Him to be a part of 2 or more of us,

 He is there within us.   

3, What words of encouragement do you have for fellow faith travelers right now?

Find your song that the Lord is calling you

 to sing in this season of your life and SING it! 

Terri currently serves as the Director of IT Staffing at Framework Consulting.  She is responsible for the business development of the IT staffing portion of the company’s business.  Her home church is Vine and Branches Lutheran Church where her husband, Dax, serves as Pastor. Terri is often filling in where needed in the childcare (nursery and 3-5 year olds) at her church and will be helping with Confirmation in the Fall. She is kept busy with her 2 girls-Mollie- 3 and Macy 2. We give thanks for the gift of Terri among us.

Jennifer Hills- Central Region

1. What brings you JOY right now?

My two little girls flood my life with joy! At 3 and 4 years old our home is a source of constant noise, movement, and laughter.  Whether it’s a princess tea party or an impromptu check up; watching them play, learn and grow is a gift that fills my heart with joy.

2., Where do you see the Holy spirit working right now in your life?

I see the Spirit working in my life as I build encouraging and edifying relationships with other moms.  For years I did ‘family’ ministry as a non-parent.   Now, as a parent the Lord has really blessed me to put in to practice all the things I’ve known and taught.  It’s a privilege to walk with other mothers and to share our challenges, joys, and sorrows as we raise our little ones in the faith.

3, What words of encouragement do you have for fellow faith travelers right now?

Most people would give you a Bible verse – but I am just going to say; “We’re in this together”. I want others to know that nothing they are going through is meant to be done in isolation.  Find someone to share the journey with in your church or community.  God called us to be in relationship with one another for a reason. 

Jennifer has served at St. John Lutheran Church,

 Alexandria, VA

 as the very first 

Director of Youth and Christian Education 

since May 2002. 

Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts,

 with specializations 

in Youth Ministry and Theology,

 from Concordia University

 in River Forest, Illinois in 1999. 

She is a synodically commissioned

 Director of Christian Education

 and a 2009 KINDLE Associate. 

Jennifer serves all St. John’s members,

 child to adult, helping them to discover

 what it means to be a child of God. 

Jennifer and her husband Mark 

are parents to Sofi and Charlotte.

Outside of her church duties 

she leads a small group Bible study of women, 

and volunteers at her daughters 

preschool and dance studio.

We give thanks for the ways that Jennifer shares her gifts 

and love for the Lord in all of her areas of life and ministry.

Darla Yaun- Central Region

                        Darla Yaun- Central Region-
                       offering treats to grandchildren

                   This is a video that Darla's son, Paul Koch, 

             took at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Rainier, MD.

       Darla was first a member there in 1976. The video shows a
                          portion of the pre-service music,
                         “Come, Share This Feast of Love”.
              The accompanist is George “Skip” Hall, who was there
                    back in 1976 and is still the church musician. 
          For the last few summers Darla has gone back to Trinity to
              play for a service.  It’s been a blessing to participate 
                   in a service there, and bless those who attend.

P.S.  Husband, Warren,

 deserves tons of thanks for being willing

 to transport the marimba!

A short interview with Darla Yaun-

1.  What brings you JOY right now in your life? 

A good husband who is growing in faith like me.  And any time to play for worship!

2., Where do you see the Holy spirit working right now in your life?  

His encouragement to speak out.  I am becoming comfortable telling a person of any faith who is in trouble, “I will pray for you.” and then actually doing it.  Sometimes right then and sometimes later alone.   I feel that I need to work on also offering to pray a prayer of thanks and praise for someone who is celebrating.

3, What words of encouragement do you have for fellow faith travelers right now? 

 Jesus words,  “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 20:28 KJV)

Darla began playing the marimba as a 13 or 14-year-old.  

She played it off and on since then, and just in the last few years has concentrated on it more.  About a year ago she joined a mixed instrumental group at a senior center near her.  They rehearse light music once a week.  That has kept her practicing and she just keeps on learning. 

Sing to the Lord a new song!

We give thanks to the Lord for the gifts
 that Darla shares so generously. 

She is a member at 
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
 in Springfield, VA.