United Lutheran Seminary
Brossman Center
Bishop Patricia A. Davenport invites you to a day of worship, learning, and relationship building at the 2023 SEPA Rostered Ministers Equipping Event. Spirit of Gentleness, Blow Through the Wilderness will focus on how we, as rostered ministers, can claim the grace of the Spirit of God who proclaims release from that which burdens us. Featuring a keynote by The Rev. Carla Christopher and your choice of two workshops, the day will begin with worship and end with dinner, during which Bishop Davenport will offer sending reflections. We plan a happy hour mixer and, of course, all-day coffee.
Greetings, Beloved,
I’m looking forward to seeing you at this year’s event. Our time together will focus on how we, as rostered ministers, can claim the grace of the Spirit of God who proclaims release from that which burdens us. It is more than learning. It’s about self-care. I give you permission to surround our learning day with time of connection and reflection. Prepare your heart by spending time on Monday in prayer, gathering with colleagues, getting outdoors, or other mindful activities. And after you’ve heard our speakers, devote time on Wednesday to reflect on the ideas and insights from our time together on Tuesday, whether alone or with colleagues. May the Spirit of gentleness bless and center our time of rest and learning. Rev. Patricia A. Davenport, bishop |
The Rev. Carla Christopher
Assistant to the Bishop for Justice Ministries, Lower Susquehanna Synod ELCA.
Sustainable and Just Ministry from a Trauma-Informed and Justice-Centered Perspective
The Rev. Carla Christopher serves as assistant to the bishop in charge of justice ministries for the Lower Susquehanna and Delaware-Maryland synods. She also serves on the churchwide leadership team for Vital Congregations training, is a Proclaim chaplain with Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries and writes regularly for Sparkhouse and Sundays and Seasons. A former therapeutic caseworker and diversity / cultural competency consultant in the nonprofit sector, Rev. Christopher is the primary curriculum developer and trainer for Region 8’s racial justice trainings and has consulted with numerous synods supporting LGBTQIA+ cultural competency, racial equity, and trauma-informed care efforts. A spoken-word artist, she performs regularly with the poetry-funk fusion band Groove Ink.
Workshops include:
This year’s event cost is $50, including lunch and dinner.
9:30 a.m. | Registration and Coffee/Snacks |
10 a.m. | Gathering Worship with Eucharist (Chapel) |
11:30 a.m. | Lunch |
12:30 p.m. | Keynote Address |
1:30 p.m. | Break/Transition |
1:45 p.m. | Workshops |
2:45 p.m. | Break/Transition |
3 p.m. | Workshops |
4 p.m. | Happy Hour/Trivia and Campfire Mixer |
5 p.m. | Dinner |
6 p.m. | Bishop’s Farewell Address |
Finding a Foothold in Loss, Change and Transition
Christine M. Ruth, M.Div, MS, LMFT
ELCA pastor and Founder, Princeton Family Counseling Center
Christine Ruth, M.Div., MS, LMFT is an ordained pastor, a grief counselor, and licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). She founded Princeton Family Counseling Center in Princeton, New Jersey, hosted at The House Next Door, and the Podcast, “The Soul Enchilada.” Christine has twenty-one years of ministry and grief counseling experience facilitating retreats, grief workshops, and conducting individual and marriage therapy. She is a program assistant for Internal Family Systems, a therapeutic approach to trauma.
Christine’s passion centers around counseling, writing, teaching, Jungian psychology, and spiritual growth. She loves providing safe spaces for people to wrestle with doubt and struggle with questions of the faith. Christine also loves good coffee, blues and jazz music, world travel, musical theater, camping, and as a Wisconsin native- can never get enough cheese. Please find her at www.christineruth.com.
Equipped to Serve: Spiritual Practice, an Essential Part of Service
The Rev. Dale Selover
Spiritual Director and Director, The House Next Door
Dale Selover is the Director of Living in Grace and the Founder of The House Next Door. Inspired by her own hunger for a deeper relationship with God, Dale provides respite for all who hunger for a safe space and a place of grace to dwell in the heart of God. Following the example of Jesus, Dale is committed to meeting people where they are and companioning them on their journeys.
For more than ten years, Dale has provided direction for both individuals and groups. Blessed with twenty-five years of experience, Dale offers day and weekend retreats on a variety of topics but will also create a retreat based on your individual, group, or congregation’s specific needs. Along with her ministry at the House Next Door, Dale is a retreat leader for Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development and Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center.
Dale is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving congregations and communities throughout New Jersey for more than thirty years.
Update on the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church
The Rev. Carla Christopher
The Rev. Carla Christopher serves as assistant to the bishop in charge of justice ministries for the Lower Susquehanna and Delaware-Maryland synods. She also serves on the churchwide leadership team for Vital Congregations training, is a Proclaim chaplain with Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries and writes regularly for Sparkhouse and Sundays and Seasons. A former therapeutic caseworker and diversity / cultural competency consultant in the nonprofit sector, Rev. Christopher is the primary curriculum developer and trainer for Region 8’s racial justice trainings and has consulted with numerous synods supporting LGBTQIA+ cultural competency, racial equity, and trauma-informed care efforts. A spoken-word artist, she performs regularly with the poetry-funk fusion band Groove Ink.
Finding the Young Ones Wandering in the Wilderness
Marjorie Morgan, LPC
Executive Consultant, Lenape Valley Foundation
Marjorie recently retired from Lenape Valley Foundation, a non-profit community mental health organization in Bucks County, after a 28-year career there. She spent most of those years in the Outpatient Department, first as an intern, then as a psychotherapist, advancing to Director of Outpatient Services and ending as the Chief Operating Officer of the organization. Prior to her work at Lenape Valley, she worked as a middle school guidance counselor in Virginia. She has been a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown since 1986 and is a mother of three and grandmother of five children.
Shepherding Transitions in Later Life
Beverly Bernstein Joie
Founder and President, Complete Care Strategies
Beverly Bernstein Joie is the Co-Founder of Complete Care Strategies. She is the former President/CEO of Complete Care Strategies from 2000-2022. The award -winning company provides Care Management and Advocacy Services to seniors and the special needs community. CCS is also a licensed Non-Medical Home Care Agency.
Ms. Bernstein Joie holds a bachelor’s degree from Antioch University in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Villanova University. She is a Certified Aging Life Care professional whose earlier career focused on Psychotherapy. Ms. Bernstein Joie has been an active member of the Aging Life Care community, serving as past President of the Philadelphia Chapter and was a member of the Public Relations Committee. She is also a member of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council and chaired a sub-committee as Program Chair for a symposium entitled, “Managing End of Life Issues.” She is a member of the Woman’s Initiative Committee at PEPC and is a member of The Transition Network. She presents workshops on various related topics throughout the Philadelphia area and has written numerous articles and has been quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Ms. Bernstein Joie has been a faculty member of The Philadelphia Bar Institute’s Annual Legal Issues in an Age of Aging and a keynote speaker for The Montgomery County Bar Association. She is a recipient of the Brava Award from Smart CEO magazine as well as receiving an Outstanding Chapter Member Award from ALCA.
As of January 2023, Beverly assumed the role of Consultant, Co-Founder, and Member of the Advisory Council for Complete Care Strategies. She is the author of Solo Wise: A Roadmap for Fearless Solo Aging (2024 Publication).
In Good Spirits: The Cultivation of God’s Presence in the Old Testament
Dr. Reed Carlson
Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of Anglican Studies, United Lutheran Seminary
The Rev. Dr. Reed Carlson specializes in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Second Temple Jewish literature, and postcolonial approaches to studying ancient religious texts. An overarching goal of his work is engaging the fraught hermeneutical issues involved in critically examining ancient and modern religious experience. He also maintains active research interests in the modern reception history of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in matters related to Jewish-Christian relations and the interpretation of scripture in religious communities historically marginalized by traditional biblical scholarship. His published work includes research on spirit possession, apocalyptic expectation, and other phenomena present in biblical texts and prevalent in many minoritized communities of faith. His work develops frameworks whereby scholars and ministers can interact with these topics critically and pastorally, and in ways that are not reductionist or hegemonic.
Dr. Carlson’s first book, Unfamiliar Selves in the Hebrew Bible: Possession and Other Spirit Phenomena (DeGruyter, 2022) was awarded the2021 Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise. You can hear Dr. Carlson discuss his book in an interview on the biblical studies podcast On Script.
An ordained minister in the Episcopal Church with Pentecostal roots, Dr. Carlson is passionate about ecumenism, especially among charismatic and progressive Christians. A former campus minister, Dr. Carlson embodies a pastoral concern for the whole student in his teaching—especially for learners from traditionally underserved communities.
Dr. Carlson is married to the Rev. Britta Meiers Carlson, an ELCA pastor and Ph.D. student in Practical Theology at the Boston University School of Theology. They enjoy exploring the urban and rustic locales of the northeast with their two children.
Yoga, Faith, and Healing: A Trauma-Informed Approach for Ministers
Morgan Kathleen Moreira
Instructor & Founder [every]body OM
www.everybody-om.com
Morgan Kathleen, who has been on the yoga path since 2001, is a dedicated and compassionate trauma-informed yoga teacher. Certified in adaptive and accessible yoga, as well as various other yoga modalities, Morgan is passionate about extending the healing benefits of yoga to diverse communities. With a deep understanding of yoga’s profound potential for healing, she creates a safe and nurturing space for individuals of all ages, abilities, sizes, beliefs, and backgrounds. Her approach revolves around harmonizing yoga as a spiritual tool, emphasizing the profound meaning of ‘yoga’ – to unify. Beyond the physical postures, Morgan integrates breath, meditation, and holistic techniques to empower individuals, guiding them on a journey to rediscover their inner strength and connection to self. She fosters a sacred space for healing, transformation, and the recovery of personal agency through a connection to a greater power.
Download