Fall Women's Retreat
You are invited to come away to Olmsted this fall and immerse yourself in rich study and seeking with a cohort of other powerful Christian women. Olmsted's women's retreats offer inspirational speaking, encouraging group discussions, quiet time with God, opportunities to enjoy stillness and nature, and Christian hospitality that will make you feel welcome and cared for. Come and attend to your mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Seeking Your Spiritual Life
The spiritual life is a gift. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit who lifts us up into the kingdom of God's love. However, this does not mean that we wait passively until the gift is offered. Jesus tells us to set our hearts on the kingdom. Setting our hearts on something involves not only serious aspiration but also strong determination. A spiritual life requires human effort. In this retreat, we will explore the question and art of discipline in the spiritual life. A spiritual life without discipline is impossible. The practice of a spiritual discipline makes us more sensitive to and more able to hear the voice of God.
Retreat Leader
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

Bishop Steiner Ball was elected to the episcopacy by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 2012 and was assigned to the West Virginia Area. She began her assignment to lead United Methodists in Western Pennsylvania on September 1, 2024.
Sandra L. Steiner Ball, the daughter of Edward J. and the late Marjorie W. Steiner, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and raised in Milford, Delaware. She is a graduate of Dickinson College, (B.A. in Religion, 1984), Duke Divinity School (M.Div., 1987), and Wesley Theological Seminary (D.Min., 2003).
Sandra was ordained Deacon and Elder by Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. She has served as an associate pastor, lead pastor, District Superintendent, and Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM). During her last year as a DCM, she also served as interim pastor of a new church start. Sandra was in this position when elected to the episcopacy by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 2012 and was assigned to the West Virginia Area.
Bishop Steiner Ball was a first elected delegate to the 2008 and 2012 General Conferences of The United Methodist Church and to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conferences (NEJ). Prior to election, Sandra served the General Church in a variety of areas, including the Interjurisdictional Episcopacy Committee, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the United Methodist Endorsing Agency, and the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy.
For the 2016 – 2020 quadrennium, Bishop Steiner Ball was re-assigned as the episcopal leader of the West Virginia area and served as one of three moderators on the Commission on the Way Forward. Additionally, she served as the President of the West Virginia Council of Churches and co-chaired a task force that worked to address substance use disorder in the West Virginia area.
Bishop Steiner Ball currently serves as the President of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and chairs the design team for the annual U. S. DS/DCM training.
In 2024, Bishop Steiner Ball was assigned to the Western Pennsylvania episcopal area.
Bishop Steiner Ball and her husband, The Rev. Dr. Barry D. Steiner Ball, have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters: Sarah Elizabeth is married to Cale. Sarah and Cale are the parents of 2-year-old Sloane. Sandra Rebekah is married to Justice. Becky and Justice are the parents of 2-month-old Lily.
Sandra L. Steiner Ball, the daughter of Edward J. and the late Marjorie W. Steiner, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and raised in Milford, Delaware. She is a graduate of Dickinson College, (B.A. in Religion, 1984), Duke Divinity School (M.Div., 1987), and Wesley Theological Seminary (D.Min., 2003).
Sandra was ordained Deacon and Elder by Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference. She has served as an associate pastor, lead pastor, District Superintendent, and Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM). During her last year as a DCM, she also served as interim pastor of a new church start. Sandra was in this position when elected to the episcopacy by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 2012 and was assigned to the West Virginia Area.
Bishop Steiner Ball was a first elected delegate to the 2008 and 2012 General Conferences of The United Methodist Church and to the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conferences (NEJ). Prior to election, Sandra served the General Church in a variety of areas, including the Interjurisdictional Episcopacy Committee, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the United Methodist Endorsing Agency, and the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy.
For the 2016 – 2020 quadrennium, Bishop Steiner Ball was re-assigned as the episcopal leader of the West Virginia area and served as one of three moderators on the Commission on the Way Forward. Additionally, she served as the President of the West Virginia Council of Churches and co-chaired a task force that worked to address substance use disorder in the West Virginia area.
Bishop Steiner Ball currently serves as the President of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and chairs the design team for the annual U. S. DS/DCM training.
In 2024, Bishop Steiner Ball was assigned to the Western Pennsylvania episcopal area.
Bishop Steiner Ball and her husband, The Rev. Dr. Barry D. Steiner Ball, have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters: Sarah Elizabeth is married to Cale. Sarah and Cale are the parents of 2-year-old Sloane. Sandra Rebekah is married to Justice. Becky and Justice are the parents of 2-month-old Lily.
October 19-21, 2025 |
$250/person |
Event Information
- Event starts with dinner on Sunday and concludes with lunch on Tuesday. Check-in is in Groves Lodge between 3 and 5pm on Sunday.
- Pricing includes two-nights stay (private hotel style room with linens), six meals, and course tuition. Discount available for those willing to select or be assigned a roommate. Please contact Olmsted for commuter rates.
- Register online, print and mail the registration form, or call to register at (814) 945-6512
Are you ready to be our guest?
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Olmsted is a retreat center providing sacred space for renewal
in an atmosphere of Christian hospitality. Olmsted Manor Retreat Center - 17 East Main St. - PO Box 8 - Ludlow, PA 16333 814-945-6512 - [email protected] - facebook.com/olmstedretreats |