This virtual conference will be looking at an understanding of God gleaned from Scripture which shapes our call as Christians – the work of God in restoring humanity taken up by the church. During the one-day conference, we will be covering such things as the solicitude of God and how this is to be taken up in our own lives, the wonder of creation and how to live well within the created order, and the practice of presence with God and with people. Scripture will serve as a foundation out of which these themes are gleaned.
Sharon Garlough Brown
Sharon Garlough Brown is an author, spiritual director, and retreat speaker. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Sharon has served on the pastoral staff of congregations in England, Oklahoma, and West Michigan and has recently moved with her husband, Jack, to Dundee, Scotland. Sharon’s spiritual formation novels in the bestselling Sensible Shoes series follow the journey of characters who are learning to rest in the love of God. Her latest novel, Feathers of Hope (third book in the Shades of Light series), explores issues of mental health, grief, and God’s presence with us in seasons of loss and change. She and Jack oversee Abiding Way Ministries (www.abidingway.life), offering spiritual formation retreats and resources, including daily lectio divina recordings.
Mark Buchanan
Mark is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose Seminary in Calgary, Alberta. He is an author and speaker. He enjoys scuba diving, fishing, and motorcycles. He is the author of eleven books, including most recently the novel David: Reign (Book Two of a trilogy on the life of King David), and God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul. He and his wife Cheryl lead New Story Community, a ministry that promotes the flourishing of Indigenous women.
Evan B. Howard
Evan B. Howard, Ph.D. is the founder and director of Spirituality Shoppe, a Center for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is full-time with Spirituality Shoppe after having served as affiliate faculty with Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of Deep and Wide: Reflections on Socio-Political Engagement, Monasticism(s) and the Christian Life;A Guide to Christian Spiritual Formation: How Scripture, Spirit, Community, and Mission Shape Our Souls
Megan McKenna
Megan McKenna, originally from New York City, has lived, visited, and gypsied through North and South America (especially Bolivia/Peru), Europe, Asia, Australia, and a collection of islands — Celtic, Japanese, the Philippines, Singapore, Haiti, the Hawaiian Islands, Malaysia, and the Marshall Islands. She works with Indigenous groups, in base Christian Communities, and with justice and peace groups as well as parishes, dioceses and religious communities. She has served on the National Board of Pax Christi USA and in 2002 was appointed an Ambassador of Peace for Pax Christi.
An internationally known author of more than fifty books, theologian, storyteller, and lecturer, she has taught at several colleges and universities and conducts retreats, workshops, and parish missions. She has graduate degrees in Scripture, Adult Education and Literacy from the Graduate Theological Union and the University of California, Berkeley, and a Masters in Systematic Theology from Catholic University. Foremost, Megan is a lover of words — the Scriptures, stories and tales, poetry, images, and phrases spoken aloud, written down and spun to make meaning — and how these both convert and transform and bring meaning and hope to the world. She resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Richard Hovey
Richard Hovey has over 25 years of ministry experience, currently serving as a pastor for Leonardville and Lords Cove Churches of Christ on Deer Island (New Brunswick). Richard also serves as adjunct faculty at Briercrest Seminary where he teaches Spiritual Formation for Ministry. His desire is to see people transformed as they encounter the wonder of the love of God. Educationally, Richard holds a BA in Sociology (Crandall University), MA in Pastoral Counselling and MA in Theology (Briercrest Seminary), and a DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation (George Fox University).