The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia presents:

Better Together

Speakers * Workshops * Faith in Practice 

Saturday, March 12, 9:00 am-4:00 pm * Virtual – register for the link

REGISTRATION

Join your friends and colleagues from around the Diocese for a day of music, ideas, conversation, prayer and poetry.

$25 includes your choice of book or come for FREE with the “guest” ticket. All proceeds and donations go directly to our ministry partners.

 

Better Together | SCHEDULE

• • 9:00 – Opening Service – Welcome, Prayer & Music coordinated by Ann Strickland with a Slide-Show: “Glimpses of God in Western Washington” featuring photos from all of us, curated by the Rev. Berto Gándara
  • 9:45 – Featured Conversation: “Lifelong Faith for All Ages & Generations” with authors Canon Wendy Claire Barrie & John Roberto
  • 10:30 – Break
  • 10:45 – Workshop Breakout #1:
    • Beyond Sunday: Creating Meaningful Worship & Devotions
    • Self-Compassion for Weary Givers
    • Picture Book Theology for All Ages
    • Spiritual Direction – An Invitation to Deeper Discovery and Connection
  • 11:45 – Lunch Break
  • 12:30 – Featured Conversation: “The Work of Racial Healing & The Church” with Daniel W. Jones, Iyabo Onipede & Sylvia Sepulveda
  • 1:30 – Workshop Breakout #2:
    • Adapting Our Faith for the Age of Climate Crisis: A Round-Table with Young Adults
    • Letting Go of Bad Theology In A New World – Theodicy For Teens
    • Gathering Community and Growing Relationship through Meaningful Movies
    • Sacred Hospitality: Setting the Table for Transformation at Retreats
  • 2:30 – Break
  • 2:45 – Featured Conversation: “Spirit Runner: A 6,000 Mile Pilgrimage for Justice” with author Noé Álvarez and the Rev. Rich Weyls
  • 3:30 – Closing Service – Featuring music and poetry with Bishop Greg Rickel

Better Together | FEATURED CONVERSATIONS

MORNING…

Lifelong Faith for All Ages and Generations

How do we re-build and strengthen our church communities in a post-pandemic world? Authors John Roberto and Wendy Claire Barrie believe the intergenerational church provides a way forward. John will share the seven elements of lifelong faith formation from his just-published book and the two colleagues will discuss how to create this culture of belonging in your own church setting.

John Roberto has spent a lifetime working in Christian faith formation—teaching, writing, researching, consulting, and developing program resources. He founded LifelongFaith Associates, LLC in 2006 and the Center for Ministry Development in 1978 where he worked for 28 years. The author of many seminal books on faith formation, his latest has just been published: Lifelong Faith: Formation for All Ages and Generations (2022).

Canon Wendy Claire Barrie is the author of Faith at Home: A Handbook for Cautiously Christian Parents, and is finishing up her second book, The Church Post-Sunday School: How to Be Intergenerational and Why it Matters. A writer, editor, speaker, and Christian educator, Wendy has served several Episcopal congregations on both coasts over the last 30-plus years, including All Saints Church in Pasadena, California, and Trinity Church Wall Street in lower Manhattan. Wendy was recently named Canon for Intergenerational Ministries at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle.

MID-DAY…

The Work of Racial Healing & The Church

Iyabo Onipede continues the conversation she started last year at Better Together which evolved into a 10-part series on racial healing through the summer reaching participants from 30 different churches in the Diocese. That series focused on how each person must first address their own biases, conditioning, and woundedness before they can be a part of healthy change in the church. This year she’ll check-in with leaders representing Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color, Daniel W. Jones and Sylvia Sepulveda, to see what is evolving in the Diocese around racial healing and where challenges still remain.

Iyabo Onipede – Shaped by her biracial and multicultural immigrant background, Iyabo’s number one priority is dissolving the harm that BIPOC, as well as non-BIPOC people experience as a result of racism and white supremacist culture. She is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School (J.D.) and Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M.Div.). She currently serves as the co-director of the nonprofit organization, Compassionate Atlanta.

Daniel W. Jones – While relatively new to Seattle and trying out the various Episcopal churches of this region, Daniel also stays in touch with his prior church, Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Portland, Oregon where he served on the vestry. He is an active member of Black/African-American Ethnic Ministries Circle of Color, and the PNW Union of Black Episcopalians. His background is in business, finance, organizational structure, internet marketing, and procedural documentation.

Sylvia Sepulveda is the Program Consultant for Adult Faith Formation in the Diocese of Olympia. A mother, wife, activist, and fledgling Spiritual Director, Sylvia currently serves on the Bishop Nedi Rivera Latino Ministry Fund Advisory Committee, the Diocesan Nominations Committee, the BIPOC Fund Working Group, the Underhill House Board, and is a member of Ethnic Ministries Circulo de Color. She also develops Spanish language congregational resources for both clergy and lay leadership. Her Diocesan programs include: Centering Prayer, Welcoming Prayer, Mindful Poetry, Contemplative Creativity and Meaningful Movies Offered by The Episcopal Church in Western Washington. 

The Rev. Nat Johnson – Nat is both the Interim Rector and the Interim Pastor for Children & Families at St. Paul, Seattle, enjoying the opportunity to cultivate Christian formation for all ages. Nat serves in leadership as part of the Circles of Color Allies and has hosted the Diocese-wide discussion on LGBTQ+ book selections since July, 2021.

Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color – Ministry leaders in the Diocese of Olympia – both lay and ordained – created Circles of Color to provide regular opportunities for people of color to come together to experience support, develop networks across our diocese and communities, and consider the significant social issues that affect us.

AFTERNOON…

Spirit Runner: A 6,000 Mile Pilgrimage for Justice

Born to Mexican immigrant parents and the first in his family to attend college, author and inspirational speaker, Noé Álvarez, felt pressure from all sides. It wasn’t until he followed his spirit, running from Canada to Guatemala to bring attention to indigenous rights, that he found his voice and purpose. Hear about his deeply spiritual and transformative journey in conversation with family friend, the Reverend Rich Weyls. 

Noé Álvarez is the author of the New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice, Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America’s Stolen Land.  Noé was born and raised in Yakima, Washington. He holds degrees in philosophy and creative writing from Whitman College and Emerson College, respectively. He studied conflict analysis, peacemaking, and conflict resolution at American University and in Northern Ireland, received a fellowship at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School, and researched U.S. drug policy, military aid, and human rights issues in Colombia’s Putumayo jungles. He lives in Seattle where he and his wife just welcomed their first child into the world.

The Rev. Rich Weyls is Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Seattle. Ordained in 1992, he provided pastoral leadership to five congregations before being called to St. Andrew’s in 2017. Fr. Rich is also a board-certified chaplain with expertise in palliative care. He is a spiritual care educator, researcher, and contributor to the classic textbook for chaplaincy students, Spiritual Care in Practice: Case Studies in Healthcare Chaplaincy (2015). He and his husband, Mark, have three adult sons and five grandchildren. He and Noé are family friends.

 

Better Together | WORKSHOP DETAILS

• 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. – Workshop Breakout #1

LITURGY & CREATIVITY

Beyond Sunday: Creating Meaningful Worship & Devotions | The Rev. Dianne Andrews

During this workshop we will be exploring ideas for crafting meaningful events of worship and devotions for a variety of occasions that are geared towards intergenerational worship gatherings. We will draw upon our beautiful Episcopal tradition as we consider questions such as: “What makes worship meaningful?” “From start to finish: how do we shape worship?” “What is the language of worship?” “What are the basic components?” “What does the occasion call for?” “Who will be gathered?” “Where do we begin?”

Dianne Andrews has served as rector of St. Paul’s, Port Townsend since 2013. Rev. Dianne has created and facilitated compelling contemplative practices for many years, including “Quiet Day with Dame Julian of Norwich” and the daily offering, Three things in Kairos Time.

SELF-CARE

Self-Compassion for Weary Givers | The Rev. Emily Tanis-Likkel (UCC)

Exhausted? Feeling like you are simultaneously doing way too much and not nearly enough? You’re in good company. Come and gain some practical tools for releasing stuck stress, addressing your stressors, and being kind to yourself. We’ll draw on wisdom from our own experience as well as the books Burnout: Unlocking the Stress Cycle, by Emily and Amelia Nagoski and The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t, and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi.

Emily Tanis-Likkel is ordained in the United Church of Christ and serves as Family Life Minister at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in West Seattle. She is trained in Nia, a holistic movement practice, as well as Godly Play, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for Adolescents, and Our Whole Lives.

CHILDREN & FAMILIES / INTERGENERATIONAL 

Picture Book Theology for All Ages | Hanna Schock

Looking for a memorable and impactful way to reach children and adults, join Hanna for an overview of her passion and vocation: Picture Book Theology. Combining her love of children’s literature, scripture, and teaching, PBT encourages the use of picture books in ministry for all ages. On her website www.picturebooktheology.com, 800 plus picture books (mostly secular) are described, connected to scripture, and explored for potential spiritual riches. Hanna will demonstrate how you can use these rich resources in planning programs for all ages.

Hanna Schock is a church curriculum writer with an unusual background. Her training and experiences as a school psychologist and public-school teacher have evolved into a passion for high quality learning in settings traditionally viewed as sacred or religious. She launched the Picture Book Theology website (www.picturebooktheology.com) in 2014 to encourage the use of picture books in ministry for all ages.

PERSONAL FAITH

Spiritual Direction – An Invitation to Deeper Discovery and Connection | Carla Orlando and Tom Cashman

Spiritual Directors Carla Orlando and Tom Cashman will provide an introduction to Spiritual Direction for all who seek a deeper, personal connection to Spirit. They will also introduce two modes of Spiritual Direction, model a session from each mode, and provide resources for those seeking Spiritual Direction. 

Carla Orlando, M.Ed, is an educator and spiritual director who teaches discernment, reflective writing, and contemplative prayer at Seattle Pacific University and at the Grunewald Guild for art and spirituality.

Tom Cashman has been a spiritual director in the Northwest, working primarily with clergy, for over 30 years. Formerly on staff with the Pastoral Leadership Program at Seattle University, he retired from The Seattle School for Theology & Psychology after 9 years as adjunct professor. Tom was part of the founding group of trainers for the Diocese’s College for Congregational Development.

• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Workshop Breakout #2

CREATION CARE & CLIMATE JUSTICE

Becoming People of Refugia: Adapting Our Faith for the Age of Climate Crisis | Roundtable with Young Adults | Dr. Debra Rienstra with Lindsay Bell, Josh deLacy, Emily Meeks & Justin Shelley

In this roundtable conversation, we’ll consider how young people especially can move the church toward greater engagement as healers of the whole community of creation. In biology, “refugia” are places of shelter where biodiversity persists amid crisis. In this era of ecological devastation, how can Christians become people of refugia? How can we find and nurture space for growth and rebirth, not only on the planet, but also in the church and in our spiritual lives?

Debra Rienstra is professor of English at Calvin University, where she has taught since 1996. She is the author of four books on spirituality, most recently Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth (2022). She also writes fortnightly for The Twelve–an online magazine connected with The Reformed Journal–writing about spirituality, pop culture, the church, the arts, higher ed, and more.

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Lindsay Bell is a member of the Seattle Service Corps, an Episcopal service year program connected to Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. She currently works at Earth Ministry/WA Interfaith Power & Light where she helps mobilize people of faith to take action for environmental justice. Lindsay enjoys connecting with the Divine in nature and contemplation, especially through hiking and farming.

Josh deLacy works with books as the content marketing specialist for Eerdmans Publishing. Within the Diocese of Olympia, he builds websites, helps with communications projects, and serves as a trail guide for the Creation Care/Wilderness pilgrimages. Whether skiing, hiking, mountaineering, or climbing, he spends as much time as he can in the mountains.

Letting Go of Bad Theology In A New World – Theodicy For Teens | Bryan Bliss

Teenagers know there’s something wrong. They know that — despite our attempts at helping them live into good theology — there are certain questions about God that come with tension. How do we square the idea of a good God with all the bad things? And how might we answer these questions now, in the midst of a pandemic? This workshop will offer practical and theological tips on how people who work (or live!) with youth and children can honor questions, validate experiences, and (of course!) not freak out when a kid comes up and says, “Something’s not right.”

Bryan Bliss is a veteran youth worker, writer, and curriculum designer. He is the author of five books, including We’ll Fly Away, which was longlisted for the National Book Award. His latest book is Bad Things, Good People, and God: A Guide for Teens. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Public Theology.

SOCIAL JUSTICE & FILM

Gathering Community and Growing Relationship through Meaningful Movies | The Rev. Kay Flores, Anne Miller, Sylvia Sepulveda & Hayley Stockwell 

Learn about how the Episcopal Church is bringing Meaningful Movies to western Washington and how you too can use documentary film to gather your community around a compelling topic. Panelists will discuss how to bring a meaningful movie to a virtual or live setting; how to set up a screening and follow-up conversation; and how to publicize. We’ll hear from St. Timothy, Chehalis, who identified an issue of concern in their parish and community and then sought to provide education and connection through film. This outreach process enhances the church connection with the community and establishes it as a place where even controversial or challenging topics can be examined with respect and understanding, thanks to the grounding of our baptismal covenant, “to seek Christ in all persons.”

Anne Miller, Acting Manager, Meaningful Movies Project, is an educator, activist and mother. She is a founding member of the South Seattle Climate Action Network and the Mt Baker Meaningful Movies Group, and currently works as the Interim Manager for the Meaningful Movies Project.

Sylvia Sepulveda, the Program Consultant for Adult Faith Formation in the Diocese of Olympia, is a mother, activist, and fledgling Spiritual Director. She currently organizes and facilitates weekly Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer practices; monthly Mindful Poetry and Contemplative Creativity practices, and organizes Meaningful Movies Offered by The Episcopal Church in Western Washington.

Kay Flores has been the rector of St. Timothy Episcopal Church in Chehalis, Washington since 2018 after spending most of her life in Wyoming.  Kay serves as a trainer for both Godly Play and EfM (Education for Ministry). 

Hayley Stockwell serves on the Vestry and Altar Guild of St. Timothy Episcopal Church, Chehalis. She’s obsessed with innovating new ways of doing church, so she’s excited to be working with a team to pilot Messy Church this coming Spring. 

CHURCH CULTURE

Sacred Hospitality: Setting the Table for Transformation at Retreats and in Churches |  Alida Garcia and Dan Oberg

Join the Diocese of Olympia’s own: Executive Directors Alida Garcia of Camp Huston and Dan Oberg of St. Andrew’s House, to look at how caring for guests and their physiological needs at retreats creates an invitation for deeper exploration of their interior space and self. Alida and Dan will talk about ways to provide that same invitation whether gathered on retreat or at church coffee hour, as well as sharing their own formative experiences in camps and conference centers. In addition, they’ll discuss the possibility for creative ministry partnerships as we embark together into the “new normal.”

Alida Garcia recently joined the Camp Huston team as the new Executive Director. Alida brings over 24 years of youth ministry, summer camp (residential and day camp) and conference center team management experience to the position, from both faith-based and non-faith-based programs. Alida also enjoys reading, playing any and all watersports, camping and exploring new places. She is both excited and grateful to serve the families, youth, and clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia and the greater Seattle area.

Dan Oberg serves as Executive Director at St. Andrew’s House, a retreat & conference center owned by the Episcopal Church of Western Washington. Dan was previously Director of the Grünewald Guild, an art & faith community near Leavenworth, for 10 years. Prior to that experience, Dan served as a lay minister in a number of nonprofits over the past three decades, as an administrator, counselor, program coordinator, Board member and consultant.  Dan and his wife, Lois, have two grown sons.