WORSHIP & DEVOTIONALS
Opening Worship | Sunday, October 4, 2020
DEVOTIONAL • Monday, October 5, 2020
2023 Pastoral Leaders Retreat
September 19–21, 2023 - Tuesday 5 PM to Thursday 1 PM
In-person at Camp Mokule‘ia, North Shore, O‘ahu
My Soul Thirsts for the Living God
"As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?" —Psalm 42:1-2
Come away to tend to your thirst for the living God. Find renewal and encouragement with your colleagues. We will reflect on what physical, spiritual, vocational, and financial wellness looks like for pastoral leaders.
Presenters
Larissa Marks
Spiritual Wellness
Larissa Marks is a Spiritual Director and Formation Coach who creates space for people to experience God's presence. She has over 20 years of experience in soul care that includes spiritual direction, spiritual formation coaching, and facilitating group learning experiences. She is part of a vibrant collective of people who are co-creating transformative expressions of faith and community. This includes work with non-profit organizations, businesses, land stewardship, learning communities working toward restorative justice, and faith gatherings in homes and neighborhoods. She was raised on Maui, and now lives on Oahu with her husband and four children. You can find out more about Larissa's work at larissamarks.com.
Elena Larssen
Vocational Wellness
The Rev. Dr. Elena Larssen is Generosity Officer for the United Church of Christ, having previously served as the denominational Minister for Volunteer Engagement, as a local church pastor, and Associate Conference Minister in the Minnesota Conference. She is currently the chair of the Board of Directors of the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance. Her current academic research focus is religious vocation, particularly in light of the impact of the pandemic. She is most excited about interdisciplinary spaces where scholarly thought, art and ritual, humanitarian goals, and intentional community come together to advance God’s holy work of love and justice.
Tracie Ann Tjapkes
Physical Wellness
As a Work and national board-certified Wellbeing Coach, Tracie Ann helps people live healthier and more fulfilling lives. With a focus on increasing performance and resilience, Tracie Ann partners with healthcare and human service professionals, educators, and businesses to create impactful programs that benefit individuals and organizations. Her life mission is to help “grow people” by unlocking their potential and empowering them to achieve their goals.
Tracie Ann’s vibrant personality and exceptional listening skills enable her to guide clients towards clarity and confidence. Her collaborative approach and strategic insights create safe spaces for participants to explore and develop their skills. She specializes in teaching techniques to support healthy habits and cultivate positive cultures and environments that make healthy choices easier.
With over 25 years of experience in organizational development and healthcare, Tracie Ann has worked with both Hawaii-based and Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries. In her free time, Tracie Ann enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, as well as her beloved doodle. She has been an active member of a book club for 17 years, a six-time half marathoner, and an outdoor workout enthusiast and instructor.
Valerie Honea
Financial Wellness
Valerie Lucero Honea has worked in the financial industry for over 10 years. Her career began with The Vanguard Group as a bilingual retirement plan specialist where she assisted and managed 401K, 457(b), and 403(b)7 pension plans, and was the Team Lead for bilingual cross-site training for new hires. Then she transitioned to the brokerage, high-net worth department managing over $1B book of business with her own client-base. While at The Vanguard Group she earned her series 6, 63 and 7 financial licenses. Then she worked as a bilingual retirement plan specialist for ICMA-RC, a non-profit government retirement plan company, managing the southwestern Arizona region. She joined The Pension Boards UCC in November 2022 as a bilingual Senior Pension Specialist where she has been instrumental in member and employer interactions, onboarding new employer plans, and in the preparation of our vendor transitions. grew up on the border of Arizona and Mexico riding horses, playing sports, and enjoying the Arizona sun. She enjoys being active with her family, coaching her two children in sports, and supporting local outreach programs.
Registration information
Fee: $150. We encourage churches to pay their pastor’s registration fees. Scholarships are available. Air travel reimbursements of up to $100 are available for neighbor island participants. Please contact Janice Ogoshi at pastorjanice9620@gmail.com or 808-553-3823 if you have questions or to request a scholarship.
To register by mail, download the registration form.
This event is made possible by your gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission.
Sponsored by the HCUCC Formation Missional Team & UCC Pension Boards