Leaders
Keynote Speaker
Rev. Andrea Rose Cano is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ, who responded to the call of spiritual care as a clinical and palliative care chaplain at an age when most people are planning to retire.
Before arriving in the northwest in 1999, she filled her passports serving with the Geneva-based World Council of Churches, the World Association for Christian Communication, and the Latin American Council of Churches.
This spring, she just completed two seasons embracing joy as the volunteer pastor and designer of worship for the New Blue Church, an English speaking, interdenominational community in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, of faithful and progressive people from Canada, the US, and Mexico.
An ecumenist and interfaith practitioner, she continues to deepen her appreciation of the ways our seven senses move us closer to the Holy and to one another. Now back in Portland, Oregon, she enjoys singing at the Low Bar Chorale events, cooking tasty meals, and hosting tertulias with families and friends.
Worship Leader
The Rev. Danáe Ashley is an Episcopal priest and licensed marriage and family therapist who has ministered with parishes in North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, and the Seattle area and is a therapist at Soul Spa Seattle, LLC (www.soulspaseattle.com).
Danáe uses art, music, drama, poetry, and movement in counseling, spiritual direction, and creation of ritual. She has written for Working Preacher, Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead, Sermons that Work, and other publications, as well as being a contributor to podcasts, books, and producing a play about fertility struggle.
Her latest adventure has been on pilgrimage with St. Hildegard von Bingen: speaking and writing about Hildegard, viriditas, and psychotherapy. Danae's favorite pastimes include reading, traveling with her husband, making sure their rescue dog Cooper is living his best life, dancing with wild abandon to Celtic music, and serious karaoke.
Music Leader
Linda Srb was born into a musical family in the great state of Nebraska! She studied Music Education at Hastings College in Nebraska, and then upon graduation, decided to see a bit more of the world! Moves to Colorado, California – both southern and northern, before settling in Washington.
Aside from her music, the banking, mortgage and funeral businesses have kept her gainfully employed. Musically, Linda has been a vocalist, pianist, organist, music director, teacher, and finally and most fortunately, a member of the music group Meridienne, with Susan Moore, which has been an incredible collaboration.
Linda is married to Brian, and they have two adult “kids”: Kellen (married to Sam), and Jonah (and significant, Amica). When gathering together they collectively have 6 dogs and 2 cats. Quite the clan, and they love it. In addition to her family she also enjoys good conversation, laughing, reading, walking, wine tasting, women’s retreats, music and spending time with friends!
Linda and Brian have recently realized their dream of finishing an extensive home remodel in Anacortes, WA, and moving there! Together, they enjoy hiking, walking their dogs, sailing and entertaining.
Music Leader
Susan Moore is a singer/songwriter who lives in Sisters, Oregon, with her husband Rick and cat GG. Prior to retiring in Sisters, she lived in Seattle, Washington, for 32 years, where she worked as an Environmental Consultant, helping to clean up contaminated sites in the western US.
Susan met Linda Srb at Haller Lake United Methodist Church in 1988 and began a musical partnership with Linda in the mid-1990s that blessedly, is still going! Susan’s musical journey related to church has included singing in the St. Louis Lutheran Children’s choir, serving as choir director in churches in Missoula, Montana, and Taos, New Mexico, and conducting a children’s choir at Haller Lake, where she met Linda. She joined Richmond Beach Congregational UCC in the early 2000s and has been supporting their music ministry ever since, including weekly virtual music during COVID.
Susan and Linda have supported many women’s retreats for various organizations over the years, including the NRWR. In addition to playing with Linda in SteepleChase and Meridienne, Susan has been part of various other musical escapades over the years including an East Coast rock cover band and a bluegrass band. She still wishes she kept that old Les Paul electric guitar from her rock band days, but now really enjoys the simple beauty of her acoustic guitar and fiddle. She also loves being Grandma Sue!
Workshop: Exploring Embodied Joy
April Brenneman is a Somatic Spiritual Companion, a Hatha Yoga instructor (200 hour RYT) and an Embodied Spirituality teacher. Her somatic certificates are through The Embody Lab, with ongoing training through Somatic Experiencing ® International (SE™ Trauma Healing).
Her passion is helping others connect with their bodies and discover the Divine within themselves through embodiment, somatic practices and meditations. She sees spirituality as an evolving, transformative force in each person’s life. As an elder now, she whole-heartedly embraces her position as Wise Crone in society. She spent the majority of her adult life raising and nurturing her five children, two of which had life threatening medical complications. She enjoys her five grandchildren, walking, reading, hiking, and dynamic, life-filled conversations with close friends.
Workshop: Healing Practices w/ Yoga, Qi Gong, Breathwork
Wendy Fisher brings over 25 years of experience in the Healing Arts, specializing in holistic wellness and movement-based therapies. She is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist, certified Breathwork Facilitator, and both a student and teacher of Qi Gong. Throughout her career, Wendy has been dedicated to exploring and teaching the body's natural ability to heal and restore balance.
Passionate about holistic health education, Wendy empowers her students and clients through the mindful practices of yoga, Qi Gong, and breathwork. She provides a supportive space for individuals to cultivate vibrant energy and integrate body, mind, and spirit for optimal well-being.
Wendy’s journey in the Healing Arts was deeply influenced by her personal experience managing chronic back pain caused by scoliosis. Through years of intentional movement and practice, she discovered the power of these ancient modalities in alleviating pain and restoring alignment. Her transformation serves as a testament to the profound impact of mindful movement and breath.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Wendy finds joy in traveling, hiking in nature with her dog, Yuki, photography, and music. She is also a proud mother of two adult children. When she is not teaching or working with clients, she continues to deepen her knowledge and practice in holistic healing
Workshop: Quantum Energy Healing with Singing Bowls
Zandie Lawson is an experienced intuitive empath specializing in hands-off healing for over 24 years. Her extensive training includes mentorship under Dr. Eric Pearl in 2001, a Doctorate Certificate in Metaphysics in 2003, and advanced studies with Dr. Richard Bartlett in 2004. She is a Level 2 Initiate of the Rocky Mountain School of Universal Light (2007) and has furthered her expertise with Peggy Phoenix Debrau (2009) and Adam Dream Healer.
Quantum Energy Healing harnesses specific frequencies that activate the body’s innate ability to heal itself. This practice facilitates emotional, physical, and spiritual balance, promoting overall well-being.
With a deep understanding of universal energy, Zandie guides individuals toward heightened self-awareness and holistic well-being. Her work incorporates sound frequencies to stimulate personal wellness.
Dr. Lawson offers small group sessions. For inquiries, she can be contacted via email at zandie.electrolink@gmail.com.
Workshop: "Words of Wisdom" Book
Barbara Rainey, a retired Idaho educator, enjoys sharing art projects with children and adults. Handmade books and mixed media projects are classes she has taught at Currents Gallery (currentsgallery.com) in McMinnville, Oregon.
She’s a member of The Handmade Book Club.
(https://www.handmadebookclub.com) and Watch Learn Play: The Mixed Media Colllective (https://www.watchlearnplay.com).
Workshop: Forest Bathing
Laura Lindberg Reda is a certified forest guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) who is excited to help others improve their mind-body health and sense of overall wellness by offering relational forest therapy walks (aka ‘forest bathing’) to hold space for people of all backgrounds to reduce stress and connect with the land and other living beings.
Laura is the founder of Restore Our Nature LLC, whose mission is to help restore our own unique internal human nature through forest bathing, while also inspiring acts of reciprocity to give back to the land with conservation efforts.
A life-long naturalist, Laura grew up in the Midwest, strongly influenced by experiential outdoor education and adventure programs, as well as service-oriented trips with her U.C.C. youth group that served as a foundation in developing leadership and survival skills, along with a deeper core identity as a part of nature.
After graduating from Northwestern University and moving to the Pacific Northwest, Laura has spent much of her time during the last 20+ years volunteering for land stewardship events in her local watershed, working on her own backyard restoration project, and (since 2021), leading forest bathing events in and around Portland, Oregon.
Workshop: Hidden Joys
Leslie Soken is a contemplative soul, a devoted traveler, and a passionate lover of nature — especially trees. She is an avid reader, a seeker of the Spirit, and a gatherer of wisdom wherever it can be found.
Raised in a conservative Baptist environment, Leslie grew up in a rural Wisconsin community where her father served as a church pastor. Although her journey has taken her far from that upbringing, she remains grateful for the farming community and the hardworking, well-intentioned people who shaped her early years.
Throughout her career, Leslie has worked in higher education, contributed to nonprofits, and spent several years teaching English and writing. In 2020, she and her husband relocated from Minnesota to the Portland area, where they have embraced their new home in the Pacific Northwest.
Leslie is a certified spiritual director through the Tending the Holy program in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. She and her husband have two adult children who both reside on the West Coast. Known for her warmth and ability to connect with others, Leslie finds joy in meeting fellow travelers as she continues to follow the Spirit's guidance through life’s unfolding journey.
Workshop: Drumming Experience Interactive
Elise Tickner grew up in a musical family, immersed in a tradition of traveling to Mexico during the holiday season, where camping, shared meals, and songs around the campfire fostered a deep appreciation for voices and instruments. This tradition continues with the next generation.
A retired English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, Elise discovered a passion for drumming after moving to Hood River in 1986. Initial training with Ghanaian master drummer Kpani Addy provided a strong foundation in African hand drumming, leading to participation in the local Samba Hood Rio group. Furthering a dedication to percussion, Elise joined MaracatuPDX in Portland, performing in the Pride Parade as well as at the Salem and Seattle Rhythm Festivals.
For over a decade, annual studies at the California Brazil Camp have enriched her expertise in Brazilian percussion traditions. Beyond music, Elise explores a variety of creative and outdoor pursuits, including art, sewing, gardening, and foraging for edible and medicinal plants and mushrooms. Most recently, time has been spent enjoying a new sauna alongside a spouse.